PITTSTON — The 43rd annual Pittston Tomato Festival opened up to an afternoon shower clearing out by 7 p.m. to get the event underway. With, at times, heavy rain falling, food vendors were ready and the aroma of food was everywhere.
Opening ceremonies were to begin at 6 p.m. but were delayed slightly with City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo offering remarks with Tomato Festival committee behind him on stage. He thanked his committee and all those volunteering their time in making the festival a go.
Because of the weather conditions, Mayor Lombardo made opening ceremonies brief but before concluding, he introduced local artist Scott Nichols.
Nichols has become well known in NEPA due to his work in metal art. Mayor Lombardo asked Nichols to create a piece of art looking like a robot with a boom box raised over its head.
The concept came from Lombardo from a movie starring John Cusack titled “Say Anything.”
Nichols was called to Lombardo’s office where the mayor sketched out a drawing of the robot. It has taken about a year for Nichols to produce the robot and assembled with the held of Chris Daniels. The robot, affectionately called Jon Qzak, was erected over the last two week and the digital display was installed just last week.
Festivalgoers will be able to see the robot, as it will be operational all-year long.
The festival continues on Friday at 3 p.m. and runs to Sunday closing at 8 p.m.
Mayor Lombardo said the 44th Annual Pittston Tomato Festival will see a transformation in the layout of the lower lot to include a permanent bandshell.