FREDERICKTOWN — Fredericktown students will again be able to “cut class” and head on down to the famous Fredericktown Tomato Show this year.
The theme for the 48th year of the show is “America’s Pastime.” The show’s Board of Directors has been busy making slight changes for kids and adults to enjoy.
“Last year, the school board did an in-service for the teachers on Friday afternoon, and so the kids were out of school, and they could just walk up and do all kinds of activities, and tickets were at a reduced rate,” board member and founder Chris Well said.
“That was a big hit, so we’re going to do that again. Something new this year, they’re making a big pit and putting corn in it, and kids can get in there and play.”
David and Patricia Dumbaugh will guide the biggest event of the show, Saturday’s parade, as this year’s parade marshals.
Here’s a list of some other events scheduled for this year’s show. To see the full schedule, click here.
Wednesday, Sept. 3:
- 6:15 p.m. — Official opening ceremony with Fredericktown Marching Scarlet and Grey at the main stage area.
- 7 p.m. — Little Miss Tomato contest at the main stage.
- 7:30 p.m. — Musical Entertainment by Cornerstone Community Church Praise Team at the gazebo.
Thursday, Sept. 4:
- 6 to 9 p.m. — Royal Princess Party at the main stage and square.
- 6:30 p.m. — Schoolhouse Rock followed by Michael Mage, comedian/magician, at the main stage.
Friday, Sept. 5:
- 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles sale at the square and gazebo area.
- 8 p.m. — Musical entertainment by Bad Influence at the main stage.
Saturday, Sept. 6:
- 9 a.m. — 5K run starting at the Fredericktown School Board office.
- 12:30 p.m. — Fredericktown Chevrolet’s Parade: “America’s Pastime.”
- 5:30 p.m. — Bathtub races in front of the old feed mill.
- 7:30 p.m. — Limited edition plate auction at the main stage area.
- 8 p.m. — Musical entertainment by Julia Neville at the main stage.
However, a few things are not returning to this year’s show.
“The fire department is not doing bingo, and then the trade show tent, we’re not having that this year,” Well said.
With so much packed into just a few days, it can be hard to pick a favorite part.
But for Well, everything is her favorite.
“I enjoy it all, I’m just happy to be here this year,” Well said.
“We have a baby crawling contest that’s open to anybody, and that’s always very well attended. It’s fun to see how many kids come back with their babies to be in that.”
“We have bathtub races, where it’s [a bathtub] full of ice, water and sometimes tomato juice, and there’s a driver and two people that push it.
“It’s done by time, because we used to do two at a time, and then we had crashes, but we have people come back every year for that too.”