Neighbourhood Tomato Festival: Cultivating Fun, Food, Friendly Rivalry
A grassroots neighbourhood Tomato Festival is being held in Currimundi, where fun, food, and music take center stage. It's an event that not only celebrates the beauty of locally grown produce but also showcases an incredible bond within our community.
This unique event began as a way to bring neighbours closer during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea was to encourage interaction, forge friendships, and create a sense of togetherness. And what better way to do that than through the universal language of food and and getting out in the vegie garden?
The festivities revolve around a tomato-growing competition, where participants from the neighbourhood showcase their green thumbs and go head-to-head to produce the most exceptional tomatoes. But this isn't your typical judging competition; it's a display of creativity, tricks, and as you can imagine tons of laughs.
From opera-singing tomato gardeners to fishermen using their catch carcasses as fertiliser, the residents of this vibrant community pull out all the stops to nurture their tomato plants. They believe the secret ingredient to success lies not only in tender care and a green thumb but also in creating a joyful atmosphere along the way.
In its humble beginnings, the Tomato Festival started with just a handful of enthusiastic entrants, but it has since blossomed into a thrilling event with over 80 participants this year. The event originally took place in the backyards of adjoining neighbours and has relocated lakeside to accommodate the growing number of participants.
While the competition showcases the bountiful produce, it's the quirky tomato-themed elements that make this festival shine. Over a few short years hosting a whimsical Jack and the Tomato Stalk diorama created by neighbourhood kids, an awe-inspiring tomato-themed fashion parade (just picture those tomato frocks!), and a dedicated poem crafted especially for the occasion. There has even been a pop-up stand serving homemade virgin bloody marys made exclusively from the home-grown tomatoes!
Reflecting on this year's challenges, one festival organiser shared, "It's been a tough growing season, and some of our tomatoes might still be green. But ultimately, this event is about celebrating the camaraderie among neighbours who have become dear friends."
To add a melodic touch to the festivities, the upbeat sounds of the Surfin' Mariachis band will fill the air at the event this weekend, providing the perfect accompaniment to a picnic lakeside with your family. Grab your picnic blankets, pack a delectable spread, and head down to Currimundi for an afternoon filled with friendly neighbourhood rivalry and contagious laughter.
This grassroots Tomato Festival serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community rallies together. With each passing year, the event gains momentum and attracts more participants, presenting exciting opportunities for local businesses to get involved.
As the event organisers and their dedicated team of friends and neighbours begin planning for next year, it's clear that they have big dreams to scale their beloved festival to new heights. Watch this space Caloundra, because the neighbourhood Tomato Festival is set to become an even juicier, tomato-filled extravaganza in the future!
Support your neighbours, and experience the magic of community at the Tomato Festival this weekend from 4pm Saturday 27 April 2024.
The Currimundi Tomato Festival is hosted at Currimundi Lake, outside Thrills Espresso Cafe & Sunset Bar in Watson Street Currimundi.
