AUBURN - The 23rd annual TomatoFest was about a lot of things.
It was about fun, with numerous bands performing over the two-day celebration, as well as food, amusement park rides, crafters and vendors from all across central New York.
But it is also a fun time that has a mission, a mission to help the people of Auburn and Cayuga County.
Money raised at the gates and donated canned food items go to support the efforts of local food pantries to feed the hungry of the community.
Janice Sanders, co-president of the festival and treasurer of the festival, said that through the past 23 years, more than $250,000 has been donated to food panties.
“We have a commitment to feed the people of this area,” Sanders said.
“This is a fun family event and people are very supportive of what we do and help by donating food so we can help feed the hungry people of this county.”
This mission stretches into other areas of the festival also.
On Saturday and Sunday, numerous community-based organizations were on hand, with displays and information booths, trying to reach out to those who may be in need of their services as well as garner support.
Sanders said that as much as the festival committee wants people to have fun and enjoy themselves at TomatoFest, they also hope to make people more aware of what is going on in the community.
Many organizations, such as the Free Masons and Knights of Columbus were on hand selling food, as were members of Boy Scouts Troop 21.
Scouts Pat Stephens, 15, Adam Leonello, 17, and Matt Leja, 15, were on hand selling hot dogs, water and soda.
Leonello said that he and his fellow scouts have been participating in TomatoFest for as long as he has been involved in scouting.
For the scouts this even has become something of a kickoff to their scouting year.
“Our first meeting was last Thursday,” Leonello said. And this is the first thing that we usually do, it is a part of our year now, it is a tradition for us to be here.“
The scouts used this as an opportunity to do a little bit of fundraising, with the money going toward things for the troop such as camping trips.
Other organizations such as the Carol M. Baldwain Breast Cancer Research of Central New York were making their first appearance at TomatoFest.
Bonnie Tuoron, of Camillus, said the organization tries to participate in as many local events as possible, to raise awareness about breast cancer as well as fund raising.
At the booth, Touron had numerous items for sale, such as T-shirts and jewelry, over the course of the weekend, she said that sales went well and she was able to pass out a lot of information about the organization's research efforts.
“It has gone well,” Touron said. “We are 100 percent local. Everything we buy and sell is made here locally and all the money, absolutely 100 percent of the funds we raise go to Upstate Medical for research. We are really proud to be able to say that, that is very important and everyone that has been here this weekend have been very supportive.”
Other organizations such as Feral Cat Friends have been part of the festival for many years.
Alicia McKeen, a trustee, said they have had a booth since at least 2000, where they give out information on getting cats spayed or neutered.
“That is our big message,” McKeen said. “There are usually a lot of people here and we are able to get a lot of information out there. I think things were down a little this year with the weather, but we did better than I expected and we were still able to get information to a lot of people.”
Other organizations such as the American Red Cross and SAVAR also attended, distributing information about their programs and services.
But it is also a fun time that has a mission, a mission to help the people of Auburn and Cayuga County.
Money raised at the gates and donated canned food items go to support the efforts of local food pantries to feed the hungry of the community.
Janice Sanders, co-president of the festival and treasurer of the festival, said that through the past 23 years, more than $250,000 has been donated to food panties.
“We have a commitment to feed the people of this area,” Sanders said.
“This is a fun family event and people are very supportive of what we do and help by donating food so we can help feed the hungry people of this county.”
This mission stretches into other areas of the festival also.
On Saturday and Sunday, numerous community-based organizations were on hand, with displays and information booths, trying to reach out to those who may be in need of their services as well as garner support.
Sanders said that as much as the festival committee wants people to have fun and enjoy themselves at TomatoFest, they also hope to make people more aware of what is going on in the community.
Many organizations, such as the Free Masons and Knights of Columbus were on hand selling food, as were members of Boy Scouts Troop 21.
Scouts Pat Stephens, 15, Adam Leonello, 17, and Matt Leja, 15, were on hand selling hot dogs, water and soda.
Leonello said that he and his fellow scouts have been participating in TomatoFest for as long as he has been involved in scouting.
For the scouts this even has become something of a kickoff to their scouting year.
“Our first meeting was last Thursday,” Leonello said. And this is the first thing that we usually do, it is a part of our year now, it is a tradition for us to be here.“
The scouts used this as an opportunity to do a little bit of fundraising, with the money going toward things for the troop such as camping trips.
Other organizations such as the Carol M. Baldwain Breast Cancer Research of Central New York were making their first appearance at TomatoFest.
Bonnie Tuoron, of Camillus, said the organization tries to participate in as many local events as possible, to raise awareness about breast cancer as well as fund raising.
At the booth, Touron had numerous items for sale, such as T-shirts and jewelry, over the course of the weekend, she said that sales went well and she was able to pass out a lot of information about the organization's research efforts.
“It has gone well,” Touron said. “We are 100 percent local. Everything we buy and sell is made here locally and all the money, absolutely 100 percent of the funds we raise go to Upstate Medical for research. We are really proud to be able to say that, that is very important and everyone that has been here this weekend have been very supportive.”
Other organizations such as Feral Cat Friends have been part of the festival for many years.
Alicia McKeen, a trustee, said they have had a booth since at least 2000, where they give out information on getting cats spayed or neutered.
“That is our big message,” McKeen said. “There are usually a lot of people here and we are able to get a lot of information out there. I think things were down a little this year with the weather, but we did better than I expected and we were still able to get information to a lot of people.”
Other organizations such as the American Red Cross and SAVAR also attended, distributing information about their programs and services.
