Kamloops' annual Tomato Festival returns this month

Mark your calendar – the annual Tomato Festival is coming up.

The Kamloops Farmers’ Market and the K'wese'ltken Farmer’s and Artisan Market are inviting participation from the general public, businesses and non-profit communities for the event, which runs from Sept. 9 to 16.

There will be a variety of activities to take part in, including the Tomato Festival Competition, the Midweek Market and the People’s Choice Award.

Anyone interested in competing in the Tomato Festival Competition on Sept. 9 can bring their tomatoes to be entered into the largest by weight, most colourful, most unusual shape, and greatest number in a single cluster categories.

On Sept. 10, the K'wese'ltken Market will have the K'wese'ltken Kitchen on site for tomato canning demonstrations, information and more.

For the Midweek Market on Sept. 13, the Mount Paul Community Food Centre will be discussing their programs and how they contribute to improving food security and food sovereignty in the local community.

To wrap up the festival, several community groups will share details about seed saving, food infrastructure and various food sovereignty initiatives on Sept. 16.

Additionally, there will be an opportunity for the public to taste locally grown tomatoes and vote for the People’s Choice Award.

The Kamloops Museum and Archives will also be celebrating the versatile and well-loved fruit from 11 am to 1 pm at their Saturday on Seymour event on Sept. 16.

More information about the Tomato Festival can be found here.