There's something special about a juicy red Hanover tomato – Celebrate tomatoes and summertime in Virginia at the 2019 Hanover Tomato Festival in Mechanicsville!

If you've never had a Hanover tomato, you are truly missing out. They're meaty and firm, with relatively few seeds and a classic tomato taste. Once you've had one in a simple tomato sandwich (white bread with Duke's mayo, salt, and pepper), you won't ever go back to the tasteless varieties. They're so famous in these parts, there's even an event for them!

This annual summer festival is Americana at its best. Try local tomato specialties from one of the dozens of vendors or get your nosh on with classic fair food like corn dogs and funnel cakes. Listen to live music as you peruse the arts and crafts, then let the kids run wild at the outdoor games and petting zoo. Sulky teens can be dropped off at the gaming trailer, and even your four-legged family members have a cooling station called BowWow Beach.

Event Details

WHEN: Friday, July 12 (5:30 p.m.–8 p.m.) | Saturday, July 13 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
WHERE: Pole Green Park | 8996 Pole Green Park Lane | Mechanicsville, VA
ADMISSION: FREE | purchase food, beverages, arts and crafts as you go
PARKING: FREE on-site . 

In addition to all of the vendors and tomato-based foods, there will be local restaurants set up to provide delicious snacks and beverages for purchase. On Friday night, the 4K Pizza Race will pit teams against one another as they try to finish the course after stopping to gulp down pizza slices at various stations. You can still register for this fun event online!

For more information, including a vendor lineup and schedule of events, visit the Hanover Tomato Festival website.

**All of the photos in this article are courtesy of the Hanover Tomato Festival Facebook page.

Do you go to this annual festival? What are your favorite activities and acts? Let us know in the comments!