Where oh where has the TomatoFest gone? This event may be held in Auburn, but have we all forgotten it is for Cayuga County food pantries! It is so sad to see the size of the TomatoFest getting smaller every year. However, this year there were more rides than ever, and as always the children's tent was full of free activities!

Where are all the vendors? The church bake sales? It saddens me so to see that the county's important fundraiser is losing ground. The TomatoFest is a fundraiser where the proceeds go to Cayuga County food pantries. Held in a beautiful spot, with free parking and excellent shuttle service, what more could we ask for?

I am sure that if you have never needed the food pantry, you have at some point in your life, known of a family with such need. With factories closing and life in itself, you and your family may need this service. Why are there not people from different townships involved? Being countywide fundraisers, more people should be.

This is no way a put-down to the existing committee, as I do not have any idea the liabilities, rules and regulations that need to be followed. As a county full of communities, we need to pull together or we're going to lose an important fundraiser that should be a treasure to us all. A day of fun, family, friends, food and entertainment, and shopping all in one place, for a good cause.

This letter is written by a former vendor and fest-goer for 14 years. I feel this calls for a “we care committee,” across the county! If you're a vendor, what would you need to come set up? I've decided to join the committee, how about you?

Darlene Garrison

Aurora