PINK TOMATOES GOOD FOR GREEN
WARREN — The annual Pink Tomato Festival is a real peach when it comes to helping businesses and vendors stay in the green financially.
And judging from comments received here Friday, the sponsoring Bradley County Chamber of Commerce not only deserves the credit for the influx of money, but apparently enjoys a reputation for knowing how to throw a party.
“This is the best festival in Arkansas,” said Caryn Creech, a partner with Cynthia Davenport in their Batesville-based C&C Enterprises. The vendors travel across and to a few spots outside the state selling T-shirts, purses, sunglasses and other merchandise.
“The volunteers here are so well organized,” she added. “Everyone does a great job. The chamber knows what it’s doing and does it right.
“We’re out working at some event almost every weekend, and beyond being the best in the state, I would say that the Pink Tomato Festival is the best we work, period.”
The festival, now in its 51st year, also energizes the local economy in part by helping area residents in securing some part-time work.
A pair of Warren High School students — Cody Lambert and Kris Tatum, both 17 — are earning money helping Creech and Davenport at their booth on the courthouse square.
“They’re good examples of what young people should be,” Creech said of the boys.
Charlie and Edith Eddington have owned and operated Antiques Etc. in Warren the past five years. The business is on Main Street, just a couple of blocks from the court square, which is a primary center of festival activity.
Charlie Eddington, a former Louisiana sports writer and retired Potlatch Corp. public affairs executive, said the event delivers a major sales boost for businesses throughout the city.
“The festival increases sales immeasurably for us, from a slow ‘mom and pop’ store to where it’s hard to keep up with, especially after the Saturday parade (along Main Street),” he said.
“The chamber does a good job with the festival.”
Meanwhile, youngsters attending the event are focused solely on its opportunities for fun. Carnival-style rides, assorted food offerings and stage shows seem to be among the most popular attractions for children.
“We come here every year and see a lot of our friends,” said 11-year-old Kasey Shores of Hermitage. “We like the rides and the entertainment and everything.”
“We both like the food, too,” said her 6-year-old sister, Kayla Payne. “And my favorite ride is all of them.”
The girls’ parents are Randall and Wendy Payne.
To celebrate 50 years of Pink Tomato Festivals, the festival committee has put together a 50th Anniversary Cookbook. There are 850 entries in the book and each recipe includes tomatoes as an ingredient. To purchase a cookbook send your name and address with $15 per copy plus $5 per book for shipping and handling to: Pink Tomato Cookbook, 108 South Walnut, Warren, Ark. 71671.
The festival concludes tonight with a fireworks show following a concert by country music star Ty Herndon. The parade and numerous other activities fill today’s agenda:
7:00 AM-10:00 AM
*Pancake Breakfast, Warren Club at YMCA
7:00 AM
*Pink Tomato Festival 5K Walk, Sponsored by Tyson Foods
7:30 AM
*Pink Tomato Festival 5K Run, Sponsored by Tyson Foods
8:00AM
*Pink Tomato Festival Softball Tournament, Warren Baseball Complex, Sponsored by Warren Babe Ruth
9:00 AM
Antique Car Show. Corner of Walnut and Church, Sponsored by Garryck’s Quick Lube and Arkansas Superior
Mobile Aquarium, Sponsored by Arkansas Game and Fish
Barbeque Cook-Off, Chestnut and Elm
9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Midland Railroad, Elm and Myrtle
9:00 AM-4:30 PM
Quilt Show, Bradley County Courthouse
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Civil War Encampment / Reenactment, Bradley County Historical Museum, 200 W. Ash
Arts and Crafts, Myrtle Street
*4-H Fast Pitch, On the Square
Bradley County Veteran’s Museum, 210 N. Main
9:00 AM-8:00 PM
Information Booth Opens, Festival Merchandise Available, Municipal Building
9:30 AM-10:00 AM
Bean Magic, Larry Bean
10:00 AM
Parade, Downtown Warren
10:00 AM-7:00 PM
*Dunking Booth, Warren Junior Auxiliary
10:30 AM
Horseshow Pitching Contest, Bradley County Park
10:45 AM
*Tomato Duck Drop, Beside YMCA, Sponsored by Warren Woman’s Club
11:00 AM
Basketball Shoot-Out, Warren Bank Drive Thru, Sponsored by Union Bank
11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Casting Kids, Sponsored by Bass Master
Scrapbook Entries on Display, First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Bradley County Historical Museum Opens, 200 W. Ash
Dig for Treasure, On the Square, Colleen Watkins, ABC-ECLC
Tomato Coloring Contest, Square Stage, Sponsored by Junior Auxiliary
11:30 AM
Tomato Eating Contest, Square Stage, Sponsored by Potlatch
12:30 PM
*All Tomato Luncheon, First Baptist Church Activities Center
12:45 PM-1:15 PM
Bean Magic, Larry Bean
1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Airplanes and Helicopter on Display, Warren Airport
1:15 PM-2:30 PM
Joint Heirs of Grace, On the Square
2:30 PM
*Little Miss Pink Tomato Pageant, Warren Cultural Center
2:30 PM-4:00 PM
Local Entertainment, Square Stage
4:00 PM
Lawn Mower Races, Elm Street
4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Bradley County Showcase, Square Stage
6:00 PM
Human Development Center Square Dancers, East of Courthouse
6:30 PM-7:30 PM
Bailey Hefley, Center Stage, Cedar Street
7:00 PM
Grupo Fasinacion, Cypress Street
7:30 PM
Salsa Dance Contest, Cypress Street
8:00 PM
Ty Herndon Band, Center Stage, Cedar Street (If Raining Warren Cultural Center)
10:00 PM
Fireworks Show, Downtown Warren
* Indicates fee required for admittance