The Tomato Art Festival In Nashville Is One Of The Most Unique Festivals You'll Find Anywhere In America
By Meghan Kraft|Published July 25, 2021
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
The city of Nashville, Tennessee, has been lauded for its community-centric vibes and fun social calendar for quite a few years, but there’s nothing as “Nashville” as the Tomato Art Fest. The event that usually takes place in mid to late August has become a harbinger for the end of summer, and the community shows out in all shades of red to celebrate not only the tomato but another good season lived. Nationally famous and locally loved, there’s nothing quite like East Nashville when it comes to celebrating the ol’ Tennessee tomato with a bit of flair.
The Tomato Art Fest is an annual festival that takes place in East Nashville's famed Five Points in the late summer. It was originally founded by Meg and Bret MacFadyen in 2004, the owners of the East Nashville Art and Invention Gallery.
What began as a quiet neighborhood event celebrating the tomato has become one of the most popular festivals in the Nashville area. It's been hailed by publications such as Southern Living and the Oxford American as one of the "Best Festivals" for years in the row, and you'll find it constantly making an appearance on the Nashville Scene's Reader Polls.
Southern Living magazine has even called the event, "One of the 5 things you need to know in the South right now." The multi-day event is family and fun-friendly, and it's free to attend for all.
Curious what goes down at the Tomato Art Fest? You'll have the chance to experience everything from a costume-friendly parade - this is your chance to dress like a tomato, folks! - to a private preview garden party.
Not only will you have the chance to have a bit of fun with your community, but the local East Nashville neighborhood decorates in a tomato-driven fervor for a chance to win the home decorating contest. The costumes on-site and the surrounding home decor really drive this fun festival home.
The Tomato Art Fest "Push, Pull, and Wear" Parade is one of the most popular events as well as the Kids Art Show, mainly for the family-friendly fun and tomato-themed entertainment it brings. During the parade, you're encouraged to push, pull, or wear your tomato spirit with pride, so you can get as creative as you want.
The Tomato Art Fest is a Tennessee tradition that's become one of Nashville's most beloved annual events. It's a themed festival the whole family can enjoy, from a Cornhole Tournament to a Costume Contest. The only question is... are you joining?