Sustainable Midlands announces line-up for 9th annual Tasty Tomato Festival

On Saturday, August 11th, 2018, Sustainable Midlands will be hosting the 9th Annual Tasty Tomato Festival.  The Midlands community is invited to come together to celebrate local food and the champion of the garden: the heirloom tomato!  The annual festival is a celebration of locally grown food, the people who grow it, the restaurants who serve it, the markets that sell it, and the people who eat it.  Named by Southern Living as one of the “Best in the South” things to do, this event is a must.

Patrons will be able to enjoy the musical styles of several bands on two stages all day.  Sustainable Midlands is pleased to announce the music line-up for this year, as follows:

2018 MUSIC LINE-UP:

Main Stage

The Orange Constant  //  1:30pm – 2:30pm

The Orange Constant formed in August 2012 and quickly made a name for themselves in Statesboro, GA. Now, The Orange Constant resides in Athens, GA and performs in venues all over the Southeast and continues to grow their fan-base with their contemporary yet vintage rock/jam sound. TOC recorded their debut album, Time to Go, with Grammy nominated producer John Keane (REM, Widespread Panic) which was released June 19th, 2015. Time to Go has garnered praise from many publications, including Relix Magazine, who included TOC in their “On the Verge” column in the October-November 2015 issue. Shortly after, TOC joined the Homegrown Music Network whose roster includes acts such as Loftus, the Motet, Dangermuffin, and Big Something. In addition, they have played on bills that include Perpetual Grooce, The Mantras, TAUK, Atlas Road Crew, and Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band. Yarn  //  5pm – 6:30pm
Yarn is a Brooklyn and Raleigh based band – which is currently comprised of singer/songwriter Blake Christiana, singer/guitarist Rod Hohl, bassist Rick Bugel, and drummer Robert Bonhomme. Their last album, This Is the Year, was celebratory in tone and boldly optimistic. A seamless blend of vibrant, inspired, back porch melodies and narrative, descriptive lyrics, it detailed the challenges one faces when life is jolted off its bearings and, in re-evaluating relationships, tough choices must be made that sometimes skirting the rules. They have landed on the Grammy ballot 4 times, garnered nods from the Americana Music Association, placed top five on both Radio and Records and the AMA album charts garnered airplay on Sirius FM, iTunes, Pandora, CNN, and CMT, and also accorded the “Download of the Day” from Rolling Stone.

The Larry Keel Experience  //  3pm – 4:30pm

Larry Keel is described by music critics and reviewers as the most powerful, innovative and all-out exhilarating acoustic flatpicking guitarist performing today. Keel has absorbed the best lessons from his Bluegrass family upbringing, both sides deeply steeped in the rich mountain music cluture and heritage of Southwest Virginia. From there, he has always integrated that solid musical grounding and natural-born talent with his own incomparable approach to playing amplified, acoustic guitar and composing original music. Throughout his career, Keel has released 15 albums and is featured on 10 others. The most recent release, March 2016, is EXPERIENCED, an entirely original work that showcases Larry’s and banjo virtuoso Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals.

Yarn  //  5pm – 6:30pm

Yarn is a Brooklyn and Raleigh based band – which is currently comprised of singer/songwriter Blake Christiana, singer/guitarist Rod Hohl, bassist Rick Bugel, and drummer Robert Bonhomme. Their last album, This Is the Year, was celebratory in tone and boldly optimistic. A seamless blend of vibrant, inspired, back porch melodies and narrative, descriptive lyrics, it detailed the challenges one faces when life is jolted off its bearings and, in re-evaluating relationships, tough choices must be made that sometimes skirting the rules. They have landed on the Grammy ballot 4 times, garnered nods from the Americana Music Association, placed top five on both Radio and Records and the AMA album charts garnered airplay on Sirius FM, iTunes, Pandora, CNN, and CMT, and also accorded the “Download of the Day” from Rolling Stone.

Farm Stage

2 For the Road featuring Jim Graddick  //  1pm – 2:30pm 

2 For the Road, comprised of Gary Hydrick, Michael “Covey” Covington, and Jim Graddick, is a trio of musicians playing a mix of acoustic country and “Rockgrass.”  Their songs feature three part harmonies and a collection of nine different instruments.  Jim Graddick is the current South Carolina State Fiddle Champion.  The band is known for its originals like “Jackson County Jail,” “Steel Pony,” “Down on the Edisto,” and many others.

Slap Wore Out  //  3pm – 4:30pm

Slap Wore Out is a fun group of musicians playing a wide variety of folk, rock and traditional music.  All members of this fearless troupe are accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists.  They have been a favorite on the Columbia music scene for many years because of their extensive repertoire and their tight coordination.

Parker’s Back  //  5pm – 6:30pm 

An acoustic Americana quartet blending traditional folk, old time, bluegrass, gospel, vintage country, alt country, rockabilly, blues, early 20th century jazz, swing, and popular music into a brand of music that can only be described as “borderless”, these seasoned musicians are well-known throughout the Midlands and beyond. Parker’s Back was created out of a desire to bring all the subgenres of Americana music together in one place. The band’s name comes from a Flannery O’Connor story about a rough, hard drinking character who ignores boundaries while seeking meaning in his life.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• PalmettoPride “Tiny Tomatoes” Children Area:
• Patrons are invited to bring the whole family to this family-friendly event.  Tiny Tomatoes will feature amusements, face painting, and balloon twisting.  New for 2018, Tasty Tomato will feature “Kids Mindful Yoga” by Fit Columbia.
  Food and Beverage Offerings:
• A variety of craft beers, wine and water will be available for purchase.  Event will feature a Bloody Mary Bar by Jake’s on Devine.  A variety of local food offerings will be available for purchase.
  “Maters Matter” Interactive + Educational Stage, Presented by Sustainable Midlands
• Patrons will have the opportunity to attend several educational pieces and panels throughout the day, featuring local vegetable growers, naturalists, heirloom experts, and professionals in the gardening and farming community. Speakers and panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.

GET INVOLVED:

• Calling All Gardeners!  Homegrown Tomato Contest
• Tomato growers are encouraged to enter their tomatoes for a chance to win the “Homegrown Tomato Contest”.  Anyone can enter and a panel of judges will select winners for eight categories: Best Big Red, Best Big Yellow, Best Purple, Best Unusual Tomato (striped, rare variety, etc.), Best Small Red, Best Small Other, Best Tomato Grown in a Public Garden (includes schools and communities), Best Tomato Grown by a Child.  Winners will be announced on stage during the festival.  Note, there is no limit on the number of entries.  More contest details will be available in the coming weeks (including rules, regulations, location, date and prizes).
• Vendor Applications:
  • Applications for food, arts & crafts, commercial, and civic vendors are available on the Tasty Tomato Festival website.
• Volunteer:
  • Anyone interested in volunteering should e-mail Sustainable Midlands Executive Director, Jason Craig at [email protected]
    Sponsors:
• If interested in sponsoring Tasty Tomato Festival, please e-mail Sustainable Midlands Executive Director, Jason Craig at [email protected].

SPONSORS:

• The Tasty Tomato Festival would not be possible without the generous support of: KW Beverage, PalmettoPride, Jake’s on Devine, Creel Family Law, Site-Image, SC Department of Agriculture, Rosewood Market and Deli, Fit Columbia, the City of Columbia, Experience Columbia SC, and Richland County.

About Sustainable Midlands

The mission of Sustainable Midlands is to encourage responsible growth, ensure access to local food and establish a healthy environment for all Midlands communities. Our focus areas include: new urbanism land use, clean water, clean air and support for our local economy.

To purchase tickets or find out more about The Tasty Tomato Festival, please visit www.TastyTomatoFestival.com.