We’re less than two weeks away from the 2018 Tomato Art Fest — East Nashville’s massively multi-faceted, tomato-inspired annual festival — and while we’ve shared our own pro tips in the past, the best how-to-fest advice comes direct from the organizers.
“Get involved,” organizer Jack Davis of Good Neighbor Festivals says in the latest issue of local magazine The East Nashvillian. “Enter the contests. Participate in the tomato events. Make sure you’re putting all of you into the festival, and the festival will give it all back and then some.”
Over years of attending the Tomato Art Fest, we can attest to the soundness of his logic. Just wandering, shopping and eating/drinking around Five Points during the fest is fine, and fun, but you really get the full East Nashville Tomato Art Fest experience by jumping in with both feet.
Luckily (or, more accurately, by design), there are participation options to suit just about any talent, interest or inclination.
Different Tomato Art Fest activities to take part in
It’s almost overwhelming, how many different events and activities are packed into the annual Tomato Art Fest. The key feature of that stacked schedule, though: breadth. From easy to involved, arty to bookwormy, there’s something for almost literally anyone.
Just a few Tomato options:
— Focused on fashion? You have options galore. Pull together your wildest tomato-themed costume (and/or float) to walk in the parade; bring younger tomato fans to take part in the Tomato Fairy & Elf Costume Contest at Fairy Tales Bookstore; or for furry/feathered/scaled family members, hit the Faux Paw Fashion Show.
— Into culinary concerns? The Tomato Art Fest Recipe Contest invites participants to submit a gazpacho or savory tomato pastry that’ll knock the judges’ tastebuds out (and you still have plenty of time to get your entry in). For the mixologists and drinkers, there’s the famous Tomato Art Fest Bloody Mary Competition.
— Feeling sporty/game-inclined? The East Nashville Tomato 5K kicks things off that Saturday, or for a little less sweat, there’s the Tomato Art Fest Cornhole Tournament.
— Passionate about home decor, like we are? There’s a Home Decorating Contest this year, with prizes including up to $400 in cash.
Those are barely a start — the fest offers an easy opportunity for a full few days of neighborly celebration, if you’re up for it.
How to attend and get involved
The 2018 Tomato Art Fest is set for August 10 and 11, centered around Five Points in East Nashville, and all you really need to do to take part is show up. Map below.
But getting involved in individual activities comes with different requirements and deadlines — parade participants need to sign up in advance, and time’s running out to get your craftiest compositions in for the Tomato Haiku Contest (deadline is August 8 at 5 p.m.).
Stop by tomatoartfest.com for the full rundown of activity options, and since fest kickoff is so soon, best to do it sooner rather than later.
If you’re new to the area, and your Tomato Art Fest experience makes you fall in love with East Nashville, a) you’re definitely far from alone and b) we’d love to help you find your perfect East Side space. Check out some East Nashville homes for sale here, and reach ACRE here.
Hope to see you at the fest!