March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 45 F

Celebrate The Modest Tomato At The Annapolis Tomato Festival

The health of the American people has been much noted in today’s news. Homestead Gardens also has been concerned about the eating habits of our nation. Therefore, in a concerted effort to fight the junk food intake in our society, Homestead Gardens is offering a remedy: more lycopene. So where do you find this powerful antioxidant? At the Second Annual Annapolis Tomato Festival, of course!

For six full hours on Saturday, August 28, between noon thru 6pm, families from around the region will unite at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, in celebration of the tomato. Festivities include The First Annual Chesapeake Chili Cook-off, the Salsa Competition and the Fastest Pizza Eating Contest, sponsored by Ledo’s Pizza in Edgewater, Md. Attendees can consume yet more lycopene by sampling many varieties of fresh tomatoes and other tomato-based foods.

To deflect attention from the lycopene deficiencies that abound, the Tomato Festival will have live music as well as broadcast music from WRNR-FM. Tasty cooking demonstrations centered around the glorious tomato also will be ongoing throughout the day. In addition to the samples, food and drink will be available to purchase. The Homestead Grill will offer pulled pork sandwiches with a side of their tomato-based barbeque sauce and Ledo’s will sell pizzas featuring their secret tomato sauce.

Join Homestead in the fight against excessive junk food consumption by purchasing a ticket for $10, or family of up to four people for $25, with children under 10 admitted free of charge to get them started eating right early. The event will take place in rain or shine. Ticket purchases are all-inclusive as we would not deny anyone a tomato. Attendees can enjoy all areas of the Annapolis Tomato Festival, including tasting at the competitions, entertainment and food sampling.

The Chesapeake Chili Cook-off and Salsa Competition are open to the public for individuals and restaurants alike. If you think you have an award-winning chili or salsa recipe, please visit www.homesteadgardens.com for instructions and entry forms. You could walk away with the $1,000 top prize—even runners-up will receive a complimentary tomato for their efforts. For those out there who might feel a little depleted of antioxidants, the Ledo’s Fastest Pizza Eating Contest is the answer. Registration is free to anyone 18 and older and forms can be downloaded on the Homestead Gardens Web site.

The Annapolis Tomato Festival is generously sponsored by Comcast/xfinity, Bud Light, WRNR-FM, What’s Up Media, Ledo’s Pizza in Edgewater and CommerceFirst Bank, all of whom are committed to celebrating and consuming the almighty tomato.

Homestead Gardens is the largest enclosed garden center in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas, with locations in Davidsonville, Md., and Severna Park, Md. Founded in 1973 by tomato fanatic Don Riddle, Jr., the retailer features a vast selection of tomatoes, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, water gardens, casual furniture and garden accessories.

Long live the tomato.

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