28th Annual Tomato Festival
JACKSONVILLE- It’s about to be “tomato time” in Jacksonville! This year the City of Jacksonville will celebrate the 28th Annual Tomato Festival this June. Jacksonville has been producing tomatoes for the commercial market in the State of Texas for over a century, since 1897. Tomatoes became the primary crop until the 1950s. During this time, Jacksonville earned the title “Tomato Capital of the World.”
Through the years, Jacksonville has been recognized as one of the outstanding tomato producing sections of the Nation with an average of 15,000 acres grown annually in the area and with a production of about 3,000 cars which are shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada.
Tomatoes grown in the rich, red loam and sandy soil heavily impregnated with iron ore and other minerals of the East Texas area are fine flavored and a distinctive favorite on American tables. Growers of this section have an advantage in a superior pack and a higher quality product, due to their experience, as well as the soil and climatic conditions.
The Tomato Fest will be held Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family fun day will go on all day long with activities for everyone. Activities include arts and crafts vendors, Kiwanis Live Auction, kid’s games, Antique Car Show, Gospel Concert and much more! If competition is more your style we will have a Salsa Contest, Karaoke Contest, Tomato Eating Contest for adults and kids, Tomato Peeling Contest, Fishing Tournament, Soccer Tournament, Tennis Tournament and more! The annual Gospel Concert will be 5 – 7 p.m. inside the Norman Activity Center, sponsored by Whataburger. After all the fun downtown stop by the 7th Annual Chili’s Street Dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. featuring Reagan Johnson and Lady Chazz.
This fruity event is all FREE! Free admission, free parking, free gospel concert and free entertainment. For more information on the events, please contact the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at 903-586-2217 or 800-376-2217.
Click here to view the 28th Annual Tomato Festival event schedule.