The title “TomatoFest” might conjure images of La Tomatina in Busol, Spain, where tens of thousands of people hurl a metric ton of tomatoes at each other in one of the world's grandest food fights.

But the purpose of TomatoFest, to be held at Emerson Park this weekend, is not to waste food. Instead, the festival will raise money for local food pantries, as it has since 1986.

This year's TomatoFest came close to not happening due to insufficient sponsorship, but 11th hour support put it back on the calendar.

When entertainment director Diane Bauso began reaching out to the community for help, defunct blues band the Villagers was the first call.

“They said they would play (TomatoFest) as a donation,” Bauso said. “It was like they said, ‘If you build it, we will come.'”

The Villagers and Northside Blues Band - playing as the Dirt Cheap Blues Band - will both reunite on the main stage of the two-day concert series.

A selection of rock, swing and acoustic acts will round out the lineup on the main, Lakeview and Family Fun Tent stages.

All bands are playing for free, and several services instrumental in the festival's set-up, such as Auburn Party Rental and Ridgewood Sound, discounted their typical fee for the flailing TomatoFest.

“It's the best gift we could have gotten this year,” Bauso said.

The Family Fun Tent will also offer several activities for young visitors to the festival, such as bubble-blowing, balloon hat-making and face-painting.

Older children can occupy themselves on the festival's amusement park rides, including a tilt-a-whirl. And parents can peruse the tables of not-for-profit agencies whose mission is to raise awareness about healthy eating.

Plenty of food will be served to the 30,000 people that will probably show up for the TomatoFest, if previous festivals are any indication.

Fried green tomatoes and pasta dinners will be in abundance on both days, and Wegmans will provide several plates of free gourmet food.

“You can stand in line over and over again with your plate and fill it up,” Bauso said.

By bringing their own food in the form of one canned good, TomatoFest visitors can discount $1 from their $3 ticket.

Along with all money made at the event, the goods will go toward local food pantries in time for Christmas.

Bauso expects to make a generous donation to those in need due to the generosity of those who discounted their services to TomatoFest and the value of the event to its visitors.

“For $2 you get to eat, drink and listen to music and come home with a bag full of goodies,” she said.

Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net

If you go

What: TomatoFest

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9

Where: Emerson Park, Owasco

Admission: $3, or $2 and a donation of one canned good

For details: Visit www.cayuganet.org/tomatofest