28th Annual
Grainger County Tomato Festival TN.
July 24, 25, & 26 2020
Hours: Friday 24 noon to 8pm
Saturday 25 9am to 6pm
Sunday 26 noon to 5pm
Grainger County Tomato Festival
7480 Rutledge Pike
Rutledge Tn 37861
Hours: Friday 24 noon to 8pm
Saturday 25 9am to 6pm
Sunday 26 noon to 5pm
Grainger County Tomato Festival
7480 Rutledge Pike
Rutledge Tn 37861
Painting by Wendy Leedy
The Grainger County Tomato Festival was organized in 1992 to promote our world famous Grainger County Tomatoes. Our mission is to promote all Grainger County agricultural products, specifically the Grainger County Tomato, and to promote the many local artists, authors, talent, and craftsmen we have in our area. Over the years we have added a number of special events making the festival one of the largest free festivals in East Tennessee and has been named by Parade magazine as one of the top ten festivals in the USA.
The festival is always the last full weekend in July in Rutledge,Tennessee. Be sure to mark your calendars! You don't want to miss it.
The Tomato Festival is a family event, and we ask all our vendors and visitors to please be considerate and not smoke (cigarettes, vapes, cigars, pipes, etc...) nor have alcohol on the festival grounds. Good Southern manners that will make your mamaw proud is all we ask for. Thank you.
The festival is always the last full weekend in July in Rutledge,Tennessee. Be sure to mark your calendars! You don't want to miss it.
The Tomato Festival is a family event, and we ask all our vendors and visitors to please be considerate and not smoke (cigarettes, vapes, cigars, pipes, etc...) nor have alcohol on the festival grounds. Good Southern manners that will make your mamaw proud is all we ask for. Thank you.
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We will have an ATM on the grounds and it will be located inside the elementary school front entrance.
Courtesy of Citizens Bank & Trust of Grainger County |
2019 Case Knifes
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The 5th edition of the Grainger County Tomato Festival Case XX pocket knife is ripe for harvest!!
The 2019 Farmer’s Barlow is dedicated to the hard working farmers that bring us these great tasting tomatoes. The festival committee wanted to honor our wonderful farmers and thank them for all they do to help feed the world. The Barlow is the perfect knife to celebrate the farmers. The Barlow is one of the most recognizable pattern in knife collecting. It is also considered as the traditional work knife. The natural smooth bone handle of this case xx knife represents all the blood, sweat, and tears that farmers put into the ground to bring us the best quality of food each and every day of our lives. It has been said, you need a lawyer a few times in your life, and you need a doctor when you are sick, but you need farmers every day. The tomato festival is proud to bring this great knife into the family of collectible case knives in the series. Thanks to each of you for your support of the festival and helping us spotlight this great county and the hard working farmers that give us such joy. The cost will be $65.00 and anyone wanting to buy a knife can call the Extension Office at 865-828-3411 to place their order.
The 2019 Farmer’s Barlow is dedicated to the hard working farmers that bring us these great tasting tomatoes. The festival committee wanted to honor our wonderful farmers and thank them for all they do to help feed the world. The Barlow is the perfect knife to celebrate the farmers. The Barlow is one of the most recognizable pattern in knife collecting. It is also considered as the traditional work knife. The natural smooth bone handle of this case xx knife represents all the blood, sweat, and tears that farmers put into the ground to bring us the best quality of food each and every day of our lives. It has been said, you need a lawyer a few times in your life, and you need a doctor when you are sick, but you need farmers every day. The tomato festival is proud to bring this great knife into the family of collectible case knives in the series. Thanks to each of you for your support of the festival and helping us spotlight this great county and the hard working farmers that give us such joy. The cost will be $65.00 and anyone wanting to buy a knife can call the Extension Office at 865-828-3411 to place their order.
Opening Ceremony Friday 24th at 1:00pm Main Stage
Pets are welcome and we have several water stations on the festival grounds. We also have misting tents for coolig off that the critters and their people love.
Art Show
Bring your art show entries to the elementary school on Friday July 24th by 3:30 ready to hang unless it is 3D. We have several categories that you can enter your pieces in for both children and adults. We have a limit of three per artist. Be sure to fill out the little tags to identify your piece when you drop them off. Judging will be done at the end of the day and you can see the winners on Saturday.
Bring your art show entries to the elementary school on Friday July 24th by 3:30 ready to hang unless it is 3D. We have several categories that you can enter your pieces in for both children and adults. We have a limit of three per artist. Be sure to fill out the little tags to identify your piece when you drop them off. Judging will be done at the end of the day and you can see the winners on Saturday.
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Tomato Festival Sponsors Platinum New South Credit Union Citizens Bank And Trust of Grainger Co. Murlin's Music World Nyrstar Tennessee Mines Clayton Homes Grainger Co. Local Government Diamond WCRK 105.7 FM WJDT 106.5 FM WBGQ 100.7 FM Grainger Today King Pure Water Golden Corral Restaurant WMTN Country Legends 93.3 TARR CHEVROLET TARR HYUNDAI |
Gold Appalachian Electric Cooperative 25 Years Ronnie Johnson Frontier Communications Frontier Communications en Espaniol Dr. Duck Family Medicine Jeremy Gordon State Farm CO OP of Grainger County The Frame House Down Home Restaurant & Catering Henrys Carpet Service Burger Barn Country Storage |
WE NEED SPONSORS, and you can help by downloading the sponsor application and mailing it in with a check. It's great advertising for businesses. Without your sponsorships we have no Tomato Festival.
| sponsorship_information.pdf |
Church ServiceThe church service will be led by Richard Mcginnis and music by Rick Johnson and friends.
Dance Stage (stage 2)
Saturday July 27th 10:00 ROSE CENTER LINE DANCERS 10:30 MOTOWN CLOGGERS 11;00 BROKEN SPUR 11:30 DANCERS UNLIMITED 12:15 JEFFERSON CITY LINE DANCERS 1:00 STEPPING OUT LINE DANCERS 1:30 PINE MOUNTAIN LINE DANCERS 2:00 TENNESSEE FOOTHILL CLOGGERS 2:30 TENNESSEE FOOTHILL CLOGGERS (MISSISSIPPI SQUIRREL) Sunday July 28th 1:00 DEB McCARTER 1:30 ROSE CENTER LINE DANCERS 2:00 STEPPING OUT LINE DANCERS |
Rita and Susan Key will be back this year with their delectable and creative chocolates. They will be located in the elementary school.
We would like to congratulate The Chocolate Ladies on their wins at Chocolate Fest |
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Tribute Quartet
Following Mark Bishop |
Saturday July 27th 2:00pm
in the middle school Sponsors
Food City Subway Smith's Drugstore Clayton Homes of Rutledge Norris Homes Duck Family Medicine Blue Springs Baptist Church Adriel Missionary Baptist Church WJDT Radio Praise 96.3 Grainger County Parks and Recreation Wild Horse Knives |
Opening act starting at 2:00pm
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The national anthem and one other song will be sung by 6th grader Jaylen Presnell and Randy Holt will be singing a couple songs as well at this years gospel concert.
13th Annual Grainger County Opry July 26 6:30pm
Performers
Randy Holt Phillip Ellis Ambria Collins Christin Greenlee Gospel Strings Cooter Daniel Tommy White Cliff & Betty Justice Darla Daniel Madeline Hurst Alexis Patterson Steadfast Grass Jodie Roach Mark Livesay Special guest Tommy Stephan and comedy by "Minnie Pearl" Audience Participation, Door Prizes Entertainers subject to change *Performers are subject to change Main Stage July 27 & 28, 2019
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John Beckwith
He will be bringing a display of his hand made reproduction Indian Trade Silver and historic crosses to the Living History area this year. It is made using traditional methods and materials like sterling silver and brass. The patterns are all original pieces. He will also be working on his wooden spoons and walking sticks at the festival. Look for him on the other side of the tree from Kelvin the black smith.and historic crosses. 
Spicy Chicks Soups & Dips
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Kelvin Ryder the Blacksmith
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree, The Village Smithy Stands. Our blacksmith will be returning for the 8th year. He is the owner of Homegrown Forge, and makes a number of items including railroad spike knives, equipment for outdoor cooking and various small items. He will be demonstrating under the big tree in the Living History area and as always happy to answer any questions you may have about blacksmithing. Alexus Rednour Floral Arrangement &
1038 Furniture You can find these vendors and more in the commercial area behind the elementary school. 
Chadwick's Dips
Shanna & Jason Wyatt have over 30 flavors of all natural vegetable and dessert dips from mild to wild. Asiago Prime Rib Fruity Berry Bacon cheeseburger Key LimeSea Sundried Tomato Pesto Salt Caramel Inferno (Made with ghost pepper) Mention you saw us on the Tomato Festival Website and you get a free dip from our mystery bag with any purchase 
Arthur Bohanan
is an internationally award winning patented inventor, researcher, lecturer and writer, a Certified Latent Print Examiner and a certified police instructor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Tennessee State University with further studies at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Mr. Bohanan created the first Internet Crimes Against Children, ICAC, task force in Tennessee in 1998 and worked in an online undercover capacity until he retired in May of 2001 as a Police Specialist III, former AFIS Manager and a Senior Forensic Examiner with the Knoxville Police Department (26 years). Mr. Bohanan twice received the Knoxville Police Officer of the Year award. He was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in Atlanta, sponsored by the Inventors Clubs of America, with two distinguished awards plus a doctorate in science and technology for pioneering research involving children’s fingerprints. He has responded to many major disasters including the Columbia Space Disaster, the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina. He also assisted in eight airline crashes to help identify the human remains. Dr. Bohanan will be in the elementary school at this years festival with his books for sale. He will also be giving two talks about his work and discoveries. Times and place to be announced. Arthur will be giving a talk about what he does at 2:00pm in the middle school on Friday and Sunday |
Historic Calendars are Back
The Grainger County Historic Society will have the 2020 calendars featuring drawings by Wendy Leedy for sale at the Tomato Festival inside the elementary school. 
2019 Grainger County Tomato Festival T-Shirt
This year’s festival t-shirt may be purchased at Smith’s Drug Store in Rutledge, Okie’s II Pharmacy in Blaine, Grainger Today in Bean Station, and at the festival. Prices are $12 for sizes small, medium, large and extra large and $15 for sizes 2XL and 3XL. 
2019
Soaring Sparrow
Elmo
As always we are proud to have the Kerbela Engineers of Morristown Shriners Elmo Train back. Bring the kids for a ride on this cute and colorful train and help the Shrines raise money to help children in need. 
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Tomato Wars
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Tomato War
We are proud to announce that The Tomato Wars is a fund raiser for God's Planet for Haiti. God’s Planet for Haiti (GP4H) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Maryville, Tennessee and received a charter from the State of Tennessee in March of 2010. GP4H is also recognized in Haiti as an international non-profit organization. Our mission is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Haitian people and to meet the needs of the children through education. If you missed getting a bag of Haitian Coffee at the festival you can purchase it at The Red Barn in Rutledge while supplies last. 
Jeremy Gordon, State Farm
Come out and test your luck on Jeremy's wheel of prizes. Like a good neighbor Jeremy is there for us as a GOLD sponsor. We greatly appreciate all our sponsors. Thank You. Rustic Relics by Lora Sinard
You can find Lora inside the elementary school with the air conditioning. We love to see whats new in Lora's world like her wall hangings, stuffed veggies, Christmas, and Halloween decorations. Story Teller
Our story teller is Harry Bumgardner, a member of the Sons of the Revolution. He knows most everything a man needs to know about the early history of our country. Be sure and bring the young folks by to see him because he has a variety of things to talk about. We look forward to his flint lock demonstrations and we hope he brings the 50 caliber! Be sure and visit the long hunter's camp located near the Living History area. Food
Veggie Vendors
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Clinch Mountain Soap
You can find these beautifully hand made lye soaps in the agriculture area in front of the middle school. They will be making old fashion lye soap in a kettle right there on sight. Check out their facebook page to see the scents they offer Leather Smith
Living History welcomes back Gary Prater, our leather worker from Knoxville. Gary makes a number of leather items in a wide price range but he really enjoys making items of historical interest. He is skilled in many leather techniques and has lots of tools he loves to talk about. If you need something custom made, come see Gary. Gospel Stage
Pottery by Jenni Kelly
Returning as the Living History potter is Jenni Kelly of Kelly Pottery in Rockwood. While she makes many things, she enjoys making items from early American designs. She will be demonstrating clay on the wheel techniques and answering any questions you may have in the Living History area. |
Sewing
New to the Living History area this year is Susan Libby. She makes a number of hand crafted fabric items. History buffs and antique lovers will have a particular interest in her early sewing machines. She will be bringing a 1860's Davis treadle sewing machine and a 1906 Singer treadle machine. For those of you who only know about shiny electronic sewing machines, come see Susan and see how great grandma made her fabric items. Tinsmithing Demos
David D. Drake has been tinsmithing since 2000 and is a member of Tennessee for Living History. He will be demonstrating the use of tools and techniques for making cups, kettles, pots, and other items of the 18th century. Uncle Bob's BBQ
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2018 Grainger Co Tomato Festival Court
2019 Court
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The 2019 application for the pageant can be found on the
vendor application page |
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Herron Knives
We are glad to have Herron Knives back this year with their special guest Louisiana Moonshiners on Sunday. They have a multitude of hand crafted knives in all sorts of colors and styles. These unique knives are a great gift idea that are made locally in Mooresburg TN. Check out their Facebook page for more pictures. Click here. Lund Leather Works
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Crafts By JaniceRe Fur-BishedPico Sales
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