What’s Happening at the 2015 Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival: A Celebration of Local Food in the Midlands
June 30, 2015
July 18, 2015
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: Presented by Sustainable Midlands, the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival is a celebration of locally grown food – the people who grow it, the restaurants who place it on their menus, the markets that sell it, and the people who eat it!
Continuing its traditions of old-time festival fun the programming includes a free heirloom tomato tasting (4-7pm), live music on two stages, local food, a craft beer garden, tomato bobbing, and the highly anticipated announcement of the Homegrown Tomato Contest and Show Us Your Tomatoes Photo Contest!
New this year: Expanded farm space, more vendors, more music, and more fun! Including: guided farm tours, larger craft beer garden, additional vendors and “Scrumptious Art” presented by Gallery West. .
Sustainable Midlands, a champion of the region’s sustainable food efforts and festival founder, produces this celebration of the tomato and local food. The festival will be held at City Roots Urban Farm in Columbia, SC on July 18, 2015 from 4pm to 9pm.
Tickets and Festival Information at: http://tastytomatofestival.com
Festival Music line up:
Main Stage:
Headliner: Bryson Jennings
Bryson Jennings is a self-proclaimed storyteller born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina. His musical style is influenced by all things southern – Jenning’s music will make the Tasty Tomato an evening to remember. Learn more about Bryson Jennings at: www.brysonjennings.com
Emily Hearn
Emily Hearn is a self-taught songwriter and guitarist from Athens, Georgia with an impeccable stage presence that has magnified since touring and performing to promote their most recent album. Hearn’s music has been featured in numerous commercial productions, such as ABC’s Family’s “Switched at Birth” and a Ben and Jerry’s commercial. More about Emily Hearn at: www.emilyhearn.com.
Liz Brennen
Liz “Lizzie” Brennan is a New York native with a strong soulful voice. Her music has been influenced by classic pop and rock music, and having collaborated with indie folk artist Kelvin Killeen, Brennan’s music has the rich, homegrown feel for which the Tasty Tomato Festival is known. More about Liz Brennan’s music and background at: www.lizbrennen.com.
Farm Stage: BlueGrass hosted by Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor
Palmetto Blue
Palmetto Blue is an award-winning bluegrass band from South Carolina. They are a blend of seasoned traditional musical veterans, mixed with the freshness of youthful band members who have been playing bluegrass music since their childhood. Palmetto Blue is composed of 5 wonderful members: Chris Boutwell, Shellie Davis, Steve Willis, Anna Davis Cumbee, and Ashley Carder who will help make Tasty Tomato a night to remember. Palmetto Blue: www.palmettoblue.com.
Willie Wells & The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass
Willie Wells & The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass is a bluegrass band that has been exciting crowds in Columbia, South Carolina and various other cities for over 30 years. Their bluegrass music is played by their 5 members: Willie Wells, Patrick Russell, David Prosser, Don Ashley, Tommy Thomas, and Larry Klein. Get ready to dance with Willie Wells & The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass at the Tasty Tomato Festival this year. To learn more visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willie-Wells-and-the-Blue-Ridge-Mountain-Grass/223093387819876?sk=timeline.
OUR CONTESTS:
The “Show Us Your Tomatoes” Photo Contest:
Sustainable Midlands, in partnership with The Free Times, host the “Show Us Your Tomatoes” Contest. The 3 best photos will be picked based on a combination of votes from our judging panel and viewer likes on our website. The winners will receive a gift card to a local restaurant or garden center. Read all of the rules of participation before entering! For detailed information and rules for participation, please visit http://tastytomatofestival.com/festival/photo-contest/
The Homegrown Tomato Contest:
Participants will drop off ripe and “ready to taste” tomatoes on Monday, July 13th where judges will taste the entries and vote on winners within 8 distinct categories. The winners will be announced on the Farm Stage of the Tasty Tomato Festival on July 18th and on our website. For more detailed information and rules for participation, please visit http://tastytomatofestival.com/tomato-contest-2/tomato-contest/
Why an Event Dedicated to Tomatoes?
‘Cause ‘maters matter! The Tasty Tomato Festival celebrates the juicy and delicious tomato varieties being grown in local backyards and on South Carolina small farms, as well as the sustainable chefs & restaurants who serve these garden gems here in the Midlands. Connecting with good local food increases our awareness of the need for clean air and water.
The festival aims to raise awareness about the good taste of local fresh foods and gather the Midlands community in a fun, family-friendly setting. Proceeds from the festival support Sustainable Midlands’ local community programs and promote local businesses. The Tasty Tomato Festival is the largest local food event in our area, last year nearly 3,000 people attended the festival.
When is the festival?
The festival is Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 4pm-9pm.
Where is the festival being held?
City Roots Urban Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd Columbia, SC 29205, in the Rosewood Neighborhood.
Sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield – 92.1 FM The Palm – McCormick Taylor – Marriott Columbia – Columbia SC – First Citizens – Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP – Jake’s – Duke’s Mayonnaise – Fig – Whole Foods Market – Sweet Water Brewing Company – Rosewood Market – Certified SC Product – South Carolina State Fair – Beverage South – South Carolina Farm Bureau – Castello Banfi – The City of Columbia – South Carolina Specialty Food Association – Senn Brothers Produce – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture – Conquest Brewing Company – Live Estates
