Can they really can the festival?

Will TomatoFest celebrate its 22nd year? That is the question that its board of directors may decide as early as next Tuesday. For many who enjoy the post Labor Day event every fall, the news seems to come as a surprise. For those who have listened to the organizers over the years, it is not.

Has the annual event, which donates its excess profits to the area#'s food pantries, run its course? Some will suggest that while food pantries do get money after the event (a smaller portion than the overall cost of the event that is pegged at close to $30,000), it would be better if donors gave directly to the event. That would be fine if those were actual dollars received - some of the funds coming to TomatoFest arrive, via, in-kind donations - services that while they have value, aren't hard currency (not even covering the costs of items from insurance to tent rentals). No matter how they are calculated, they would not make their way into the area#'s food pantries.

It has gotten tougher to put on this event. One organizer said that the organization has only taken in about $10,000 so far, one third of what they need to run the event that would occur in less than 60 days. Part of the problem, which many such events suffer over time, is that sponsors change, as do the amounts of money, usually lower, that replacement sponsors pony up.