{"id":270893,"date":"2026-08-23T21:58:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T21:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/270893\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T21:58:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T21:58:17","slug":"tomato-takeover-annual-festival-continues-in-pittston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/270893\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomato takeover: Annual festival continues in Pittston"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\n \"<p>The
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

The start of the 2026 Pittston Tomato Festival 5K had over 200 walkers and runners participate in this year\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>The
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

The first female runner through the finish line of the Pittston Tomato Festival 5K was Stacey Cielecki or Bridgewater, NJ with a time of 22:03. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>It
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

It looks like nobody had more fun running the annual Pittston Tomato Festival 5K race than Pittston\u2019s own Maria Oliveri. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>PA
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

PA State Police officers, once again, particpated in the Tomato Festival 5K in honor of fallen Trooper Joshua Miller. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Leo
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Leo Sperrazza had the honor of crossing the finish line with his two granddaughters of the Tomato Fest 5K. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Hundreds
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Hundreds gathered to witness the annual Pittston Tomato Festival Spaghetti-Eating Contest with Stewie the mascot cheering on the contestants.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Six-year-old
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Six-year-old Natalie Warke, left, and her sister Victoria, 9, wait patiently for the annual Pittston Tomato Festival Parade to begin on Saturday. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Anthony
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Anthony Marranca, of the Greater Pittston Santa Squad, accompanied Amy Deice, daughter of the late James Deice, on the banner at the start of the Pittston Tomato Festival Parade on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Proud
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Proud aunt Nicole Lazevnick holds infant Trevor Wesoloski for his first Tomato Festival parade. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Jane
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Jane Sabatelle waves to the parade goers while her son Jason is busy driving the vehicle at the beginning of the Pittston Tomato Festival. Sabatelle\u2019s Market was chosen as the 2026 Grand Marshal.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Jenkins
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Jenkins Twp. Supervisors pass out candy while Stanly Rovinski, top right, and Bob Linskey, top left, toss items from the trailer during the Tomato Fest Parade. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Broadway
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Broadway on the Boulevard once again participated in the annual Pittston Tomato Festival Parade.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>The
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

The Times Leader Media Group front office walked in the annual Tomato Fest Parade on Saturday. Left to right: Kerry Miscavage, publisher, Jake Higgins, executive editor, Diane McGee, advertising director.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Here
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Here comes Pittston Area band and cheerleaders as they march down Main St., Pittston, for the annual Tomato Festival Parade.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Cara
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Cara Mia Hogan, Miss Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton, waves to the throngs lined along Main St., Pittston for the Tomato Festival Parade on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Rock
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Rock Street Music filled the float during the Pittston Tomato Festival Parade on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>As
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

As always, the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, participated in the Pittston Tomato Festival Parade.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>City
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo and Stewie the mascot get spaghetti-eating contestant ready to eat one-pound of spaghetti in three minutes. <\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Spaghetti
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Spaghetti eating contestant Hillary Lynch is all ready to go prior to the start of the event.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Times
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Times Leader Executive Editor Jake Higgins gave it his best in his first attempt at the Pittston Tomato Festival Spaghetti Eating Contest.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"<p>Nick
\n <\/a> <\/p>\n

Nick Webb of Glendale took the prize for the overall winner of the Pittston Tomato Festival Spaghetti Eating Contest on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Tony Callaio | For Times Leader<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u276e<\/a>
\n \u276f<\/a>
\n \t\t\t <\/p>\n

PITTSTON \u2014 The 43rd annual Pittston Tomato Festival continued on Saturday with a day full of activities, including a 5K race, parade, spaghetti-eating contest, and more.<\/p>\n

Over 200 people participated in the 5K, which took place Saturday morning. Brian Hill of Middletown, N.J., was the overall winner with a time of 16:31 and Stacey Cielecki of Bridgewater, N.J., was the over all female winner with a time of 22:03.<\/p>\n

For this year\u2019s spaghetti contest, City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo declared a male and female winner. Nick Webb of Glendale and Dana Germano of Wilkes-Barre were the champions.<\/p>\n

The festival will conclude Sunday, with the Little Miss & Mr. Tomato pageant scheduled for 11 a.m. at the bandshell in the lower lot. Contestants, 2-6 years old, will be asked general questions about the festival and, of course, tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Contestants will receive a prize for entering.<\/p>\n

Check-in\/registration for the pageant will be no later than 10:30 a.m. The fee is $5 per child. If you did not enter your child\/children prior to the contest, feel free to do so by 10:30 a.m., the morning of the contest.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.<\/p>\n

Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. \n<\/p>\n

Click for subscription offers.<\/a><\/p>\n

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