Red Fire will host its 16th annual Tomato Festival on Saturday, Aug. 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at 7 Carver St. in Granby.
It’s a party for the peak season of local produce and the most delicious fruit of the summer — the tomato.
This year’s celebration will include local bands, local food and craft vendors, games, kids activities, wagon rides and a tomato tasting that will feature more than 75 varieties of tomatoes.
Red Fire Farm has hosted its Tomato Festival each year since owner Ryan Voiland began farming the Granby property in 2001. Attendees of the very first Tomato Festival tasted 25 varieties of the farm’s organic heirloom and hybrid tomatoes.
Among the selection this year will be classics like Brandywine, Cherokee purple, and Paul Robeson, as well as more exotic offerings, including Arkansas Marvel, Gold Dust, Chocolate Stripes, Sunsets Red Horizon and Moonglow.
In addition to tasting tomatoes, the farm creates a day filled with tomato-themed events geared toward families.
This year, there will be a Great Tomato Toss, with prizes available for those who can catch the longest throws without getting sauced.
Day of admission is $14 for adults, $7 kids, and children under 8 get in free. Advance tickets at discounts available starting Aug. 1. Free Parking.
For more information: www.redfirefarm.com
Free tours of two neighboring North Quabbin farms: Seeds of Solidarity and Little White Goat Dairy on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Seeds of Solidarity Farm Tour, 165 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For information about the tour, visit: www.seedsofsolidarity.org
Little White Goat Dairy Tour, Heritage Fields Farm, 309 Gidnev Road, Orange from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Visit: www.littlewhitegoatdairy.com
Both tours are free and there is no advanced registration. More information to come.