PIERCETON — Saturday, Aug. 27, Pierceton will celebrate 150 years of family, community and agriculture.

The ninth annual heirloom tomato festival will take place at the Old Train Depot and Brower Park, located downtown and S.R. 13 as part of the three day Sesquicentennial celebration. This event is sponsored by the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

The day will begin with a 5K run at 9 a.m. Pierceton is well known as a town of treasures, featuring 12 antique and specialty shops. Everyone is invited to join this treasure hunt. It will be an opportunity to have fun, learn local history and be challenged to win prizes and gifts. There is no age limit for this event of seeking out the treasures. Information sheets will be available in the shops and at the information booth in the park.

The Artillery Robinson Battery will be represented and an encampment will be located across the tracks from the depot. In 1861, the nine-pound Bronze Field gun was manufactured and later fired during the Civil War. This and other fire arms will be available for viewing during a firing demonstration. A special option for the military and history buffs.

The park will be filled with crafts, food, farmers market and animals, also homemade ice cream, fried green tomatoes from the wood burning cook stove and many interesting treats. There will be talks given in the tent about bees, grafting trees, garden pests and more.

Featured, inside the Old Train Depot, will be the exhibit of more than 100 heirloom tomatoes and vegetables with background descriptions of the colors, shapes and origins of the fascinating tomato. Gardeners are encouraged to bring their produce to add to the exhibit. The agriculture art show and contest is open to the public and exemplifies the beautiful calm of country. Entries of the green tomato pie contest will be found inside on display. The judging and “By the Piece Auction” will be held on the terrace at noon. The blue grass music will be playing there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Country and Comedy with Dr. John Davis starts at 2 p.m. on stage in the depot.

The “chopped salsa” contest will have seating for the cheering section. Sign up at the contest table. There will be four contestants per round. After each judging, chips and salsa will be sold for $1 donation. The reference, reading and the tasting of ‘tomato fancies’ tables will be beside the heirloom exhibit. Seed saving, growing and recipes will be the focus of the discussions held there. Yellow pear basil jam is an example of the tomato de jour. The festival’s tomato sandwich social is a humble treat offered every year. A sandwich of white bread, tomatoes and mayonnaise is in many memories, only to be enjoyed again.

Bring a chair and spend some time in the shade while enjoying the smell of the cook stove, the sound of the Bluegrass and the sweet taste of the green tomato pie. The ambiance may be reminiscent of old time county fairs with friends and of 1866 when the Pennsylvania railroad tracks were built from Pittsburg to Pierceton, the end of the line.  This little town was the hub of the county for many years. This included Reid- Murdock and Co. Tomato Factory.  Everyone is invited to this celebration, a representation of sustainable agriculture and of small communities across the nation.

For more information call (574) 453-1887 or (574) 268-2199 or click here.