The sky was clear, the sun was shining, and the temperature was hot! But that didn’t keep people from getting out in the heat to see the excitement that the 2024 Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival held. A few events were held on Saturday, June 8 to kick the festival off. Thursday, June 13 saw the annual Gospel Music Jamboree and this year was the forty-fifth anniversary. Later that evening, those that were interested competed in a Cornhole tournament.
The carnival was set up in its usual place and the top of the Ferris wheel could be seen over the buildings. Lights from carnival food trucks flashed on and off to attract visitors.
The festival weekend kicked off on Friday, June 14 with the traditional arts and crafts, t-shirt sales, a quilt show, and local businesses hosting their open house event. The smells of corn dogs, blooming onions, and tacos floating through the air were the cue to visitors that food vendors were open and ready for business.
Saturday opened with the parade which hosted pageant winners, cheerleaders, horses, firetrucks with blaring sirens, and so much more. When the parade was over, festival-goers made their way to watch the tomato eating contest and then on to many more events throughout the day.
That evening visitors brought out their lawn chairs to listen to Ward Davis, and then Tyler Farr. Ward Davis is originally from Monticello, but in 2000, he moved to Nashville to start his music career. Tyler Farr is originally from Missouri and has toured with Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Combs, Brandley Gilbert, and Lee Brice. Both performers put on great shows and the crowd was entertained.
This year’s festival was a success and now the countdown for next year begins.
