It’s a tradition that’s unique to the area, and one that people who don’t like tomatoes would probably wince at. Once promoted as the country’s best tomato growing area, the city of Pittston continues to honor the sacred vegetable…or fruit?
That might be up for debate, but the excitement for the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival isn’t. Four days of live entertainment, food vendors, and unique contests bring all the fun to Pittston beginning Thursday, Aug. 20, and concluding on Sunday, Aug. 23.
“What makes it unique is that we have over 45 food vendors, all of the contests, along with live music for four days, starting from the time that we open to the time that we close. It’s very community driven, and people plan their vacations and class reunions around the festival,” Mary Kropotovich, co-chair of the festival, said.
The Pittston Tomato Festival welcomes the community with open arms and a mission to feed them. Thursday, from 5 to 10 p.m., visit the festival on opening night and check out all the vendors it has to offer. Once the lay of the land is more familiar, listen to some live music with a potato pancake in hand from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday. Saturday is jam-packed with events from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., including a Spaghetti Eating Contest you won’t want to miss. Sunday marks the end of the festival weekend, so grab your crew and catch the final hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The committee has decided not to have amusement rides this year in order to remain an affordable and family-friendly event. No ferris wheel this year, but the real thrill is watching someone stuff their face with spaghetti and sauce as fast as humanly possible.
Food, friends, and fun, oh my!
If one thing is for sure, it’s that you won’t leave the Pittston Tomato Festival hungry, or craving anything with tomatoes in it. The selections go much further than that, offering a variety of culinary delights.
With over 45 vendors, there’s something for everyone and comfort foods that you just can’t get anywhere else. Traditional Italian dishes, pastries, Greek food, and the NEPA staple that’s known as potato pancakes will all be available at the food tents along with plenty more delicacies.
Local favorites will be serving patrons throughout the four days, so get your fix before the weekend is over. Other vendors offer non-food attractions like sponsor booths and specialty goods, so be sure to visit all that the festival has to offer.
Live music and entertainment
The 2026 Tomato Festival Entertainment Lineup is sure to showcase all of the talented musicians and artists from the region. The only thing hotter than the August sun will be the music coming from the lower lot.
Browse through the multiple vendors before taking a seat or putting those feet to work while jamming out to some homegrown talent. Following the opening and introduction of the festival on Thursday, Aug. 20, you can expect to hear music from Chosen Few (6:30-7:30 p.m.) and Gracie Sinclair Band (8-10 p.m.) The crowd will be going bananas on Friday when the Banana Hammock opens (5:30-6:30 p.m.), followed by Arato Brothers (7-8:30 p.m.), and Mere Mortals (9-11 p.m.) Ready to set sail, Yacht This Way will kick off Saturday (3-4:30 p.m.) with Taxman (5-6:30 p.m.), Flaxy Morgan (7-8:30 p.m.), Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks Tribute band Sweet Little Lies (9-11 p.m.), and Billy Joel Tribute band NY State of Mind with the encore presentation.
The final of the four days concludes with four show-stopping performances. Paradigm (Beth Connors Band) takes the stage first (1-2 p.m.), followed by Luongo Brothers (2:30-4 p.m.), Fake 58 (4:30-6 p.m.), and Tori V & the Karma (6:30-8 p.m.)
This year’s Pittston Tomato Festival certainly isn’t lacking in talent, so come check it out for yourself.
Tomato Festival 5K Race & 1-mile Walk
Lace up those kicks for the Pittston City Tomato Festival 5K Walk & Race at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. The City of Pittston 5K, Youth Run, and 1-mile walk will begin at the Lower Lot, with the Walking Loop following an alternate path.
Packet pick-up for prior registration will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Evolve Fitness at 67 S. Main Street in Pittston. Day of Registration and packet pick-up will begin at 8 a.m. at Evolve Fitness.
Day-of-registration costs $35 for the 5K, $20 for the walk, and $20 for the Youth Run. Shirts are not included, but participants can purchase one for an additional fee.
The Youth Run welcomes those ages 7-13. 5K participants are split into age groups of 13 and under; 14-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60 plus.
Overall Awards include the Top 3 Male, Top 3 Female, Top 3 Youth (Male), and Top 3 Youth (Female). For each age group, there will be one male and one female awarded for being the top runner. Walkers are not timed.
The awards ceremony will be held at 10:40 a.m.
HKQ Kids bike helmet giveaway
Keeping NEPA families safe through safety resources and community engagement, HKQ Kids is giving away free bike helmets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. HKQ Kids is a nonprofit organization that works with Hourigan, Kluger and Quinn Law to promote bike safety and prevent injuries.
If a child you know needs a bike helmet, check out HKQ in the lower lot.
Here comes the parade
The Pittston Tomato Festival Committee cordially invites you to the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival Parade, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, in downtown Pittston. Due to the 5K, surrounding streets will be blocked at 9:30 a.m., so parade participants should plan to line up by 9:30 a.m., no exceptions.
The parade route is about two miles long and will kick off on Main Street in South Pittston before traveling through downtown to Kennedy Boulevard and ending on East Street, adjacent to Cooper’s Co-op building. All area civic, social, and school organizations, as well as public officials and fire departments, are encouraged to participate.
Four-legged friends are welcome to join the parade and sniff the aromas from the vendors but must be leashed. The committee asks all participants to have fun with their entries by decorating vehicles, making banners, and telling the community about them and their organizations.
Spectators should prepare to cheer and clap for the parade participants as they make their way through the city, and snag a few goodies. Candy must be bagged and handed out, not thrown.
It is also noted that the parade will be broadcast and televised by the Astound TV Network, so if you’re looking to become an overnight sensation for the best tomato-themed float, now is the chance.
Become the Joey Chestnut of spaghetti eating
There might not be an award for the biggest spaghetti fan, but there sure is a way to prove yourself worthy of it. The Annual Spaghetti Eating Contest will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Main Stage.
Contestants are given one pound of spaghetti on a plate and must finish it in three minutes, no hands or utensils. Up to 20 participants can register for the event and must be 18 or older.
It’s messy and delicious and quite the opposite of what you should do at an etiquette dinner. Regardless, it’s a fan favorite and will certainly leave participants with a full stomach.
If no one completes their dish, the remaining pasta will be weighed to decide a winner. Whichever true carb-connoisseur finishes the most will be crowned the Prince or Princess of Pasta, an esteemed title.
It’s free to test your unstoppable appetite and register, but any food donations made on site are appreciated and will go towards Pittston Meals on Wheels.
All tomatoes are welcome here
Only in Pittston could a tomato win a trophy for being the ugliest one on stage. Whether you think you’ve grown the ugliest, prettiest, largest, or smallest tomato, the Pittston Tomato Festival is ready to hand out awards for the winners of those categories.
To enter the Annual Tomato Contest, please drop off your entry at the Tomato Festival Committee Stand by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. It’s free to enter those star crops and possibly take home some bragging rights. Judging will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Little Miss. & Mr. Tomato take the crown
Not everyone can say they were Little Miss or Mr. Tomato at the age of five, but one lucky boy and girl will. The infamous Little Miss and Mr. Tomato Contest will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.
The first category, “Little Miss Pittston Tomato,” is open to girls ages two to six. The second category, “Little Mr. Pittston Tomato,” is open to boys ages two to six.
Contestants will be judged with 50 points for beauty and 50 for personality, proving that in Pittston cuteness does really grow on the vine. Children are asked to wear something they would normally wear to the festival.
Each category chooses one winner and one runner-up to be awarded prizes. Registration for the event is now full, and contestants are gearing up to bring the sauce.
Mike Witek, of Duryea, enjoys a Sabatelle’s soppressata sandwich on opening night of the 42nd Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Trinity Miller, of Pittston, dresses as a pizza slice for the Pittston Tomato Festival 5K Walk on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Wyoming Valley Pipe & Drum Band perform in the Pittston Tomato Festival parade on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Josh Pardini of Forty Fort participates in the spaghetti eating competition during the Pittston Tomato Festival. (FILE)
The San Cataldo Society marches in the Pittston Tomato Festival parade on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
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Mike Witek, of Duryea, enjoys a Sabatelle’s soppressata sandwich on opening night of the 42nd Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER