Historic Lewes Farmers Market hosts tomato fest Aug. 13

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will open at The Lewes Historical Society Complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 13, featuring the Fifth Annual Tomato Festival.
Here’s what’s happening at the festival:
Vendors will have an extraordinary array of local tomatoes just picked and ready for the table.  The bumper crop of tomatoes is offered in addition to a multitude of other fresh, local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, organic meats and poultry, and locally produced farm products.
Taste 66 different varieties of ripe, juicy Delmarva tomatoes, including many heirlooms. Tastings will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at a central tasting tent.
There's also the Great Tomato Recipe Contest.
• Four contest categories: Appetizers, Soups, Entrees and Desserts.
• Prizes will be awarded: a $100 gift certificate to the market for first grand prize, an  insulated market bag full of fresh produce for the second grand prize, and a market bag filled with cookbooks for the third grand prize.
• Judging: Five local chefs, Aaron Miller from The Buttery, Ryan Steele from Cafe Azafran,  Ian Crandall from Kindle,  Jamie Williams from Cake Bar/Sugarbakers and  Lisa Zechiel, former chef and private caterer and fundraising chef in Lewes.  Winners will be announced at 11 a.m.
• Guess the number of cherry tomatoes in the jar and win a Tomato Festival T-shirt.
For the youngest tomato lovers:
Maureen Miller will read "I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato" by Lauren Child during the Children’s Reading Hour in the School House at 9 a.m.
Children will also be treated to face painting  beginning at 9 a.m.
Market officials encourage patrons to wear red to celebrate this year’s fabulous crop of tomatoes and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market Tomato Festival.
The Tomato Festival coincides with the last day of National Farmers Week.  HLFM is very proud that, based on a competitive process, the Farmers Market Coalition honored the market this year for its demonstrated innovation and success in serving farmers, consumers and communities.   Only 11 other markets across the nation received such recognition.
Saturday is the sixth chance to enter the raffle for the free bicycle given away every year to encourage everyone to bike or walk (if able) to the market.
The America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest ends Wednesday, Aug. 31, so everyone is encouraged to vote at www.farmland.org.
To learn more about the market, vendors, and special events, go to www.HistoricLewesFarmersMaket.org.