HIGHWOOD, IL (August 15, 2012) - The Highwood Historical Society is excited to host the Annual Terrific Tomato Contest, August 15, 2012 during the Highwood Evening Gourmet Farmers Market. Judges will visit participating Highwood resident gardens during the day to pluck the most aesthetically gorgeous tomatoes. The entries will be brought back to Everts Park to be on display during Garlic Fest, and judging will start around 4pm. The esteemed winners will be announced at 8pm, at the culmination of Highwood Garlic Fest festivities.
Last year's competition had over 60 entries with tomatoes being judged in numerous categories, including the Smallest Tomato, Best Cherry Tomato Cluster, Heaviest Tomato and Ugliest Tomato. Tomatoes will not be cut or tasted, meaning judging will be completely based on aesthetics. Attendees will be able to be view the many tomatoes on display, as judges score unique categories. Previous winners include Dominick D'Astici, Jim Ulrich, Alfio Fabbri, and last year’s the overall winner, Walter Pieri. These past tomato connoisseurs all “breed their own seed” that have been preserved for generations.
Find out what's happening in Highland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The competition is a celebration of Highwood's homes and gardens, and the stories of the families of Highwood. “So few people have any idea of the wonderlands that are to be found in Highwood's back yards. This is the perfect way to collect the stories and histories of our community," says Highwood Historical Society President Lisa Cervac.
Find out what's happening in Highland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Many of the seeds have been brought from family gardens in the beautiful Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, 12 miles from the highest point in the Italian Alps. This is a region of Italy that was the last hold out against the Roman Empire and a region that is just miles from the heart of the Renaissance. These historical seeds represent the great culture and diversity of the City of Highwood.
Entrants must be either a Highwood city resident or a member of the Highwood Historical Society. Tomato growers may sign up by stopping by the summer home of the Highwood Historical Society at 122 North Avenue, Highwood, visiting the Highwood Historical Society booth at the Wednesday Evening Gourmet Farmers Market, calling Lisa Cervac at 847-433-2984, or e-mailing the Historical Society at highwoodhistory@aol.com. Tomatoes must be left on the vine. Once a competitor has signed up, a volunteer will visit them on the day of the competition to collect the tomato, take a photograph of the tomato grower, and give them their official "terrific tomato competitor number.”
This video provides coverage of last year’s gardens full of tasty tomatoes:
http://www.highwoodhistoricalsociety.com/news.html
ABOUT THE HIGHWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMER OFFICE
Al Pierantoni (previously of Al and Jane's Restaurant) has generously donated 122 North Avenue to the Highwood Historical Society for the summer. Stop by to look at the unique collection of Highwood photographs and artifacts and share your own stories. The store is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9-12, and Wednesday during the Farmer's Market. Further information is available at the Historical Society at 122 North Avenue, Highwood or by e-mail at highwoodhistory@aol.com. HHS President Lisa may be contacted by phone at 847-433-2984. Visit the website at www.highwoodhistoricalsociety.com.
ABOUT THE HIGHWOOD GARDENER
Highwood’s heritage and history can be traced back through those tiny little seeds, preserved for generations. Local families have been growing and preserving their tomatoes and seeds in this fashion for years. Seeds are passed from gardener to gardener; some have been carried in trunks and brought over from Italy as long ago as 100 years. Even the more recent Highwood transplants have taken up this tradition. In fact, all of the Terrific Tomato first place winners, Dominick D’Astici, Alfio Fabbri, and Jim Ulrich, all breed their own seed.
While the rest of the world is just rediscovering organic and locally grown produce, Highwood has always understood quality and the sweet labor and love it takes to grow your own. It’s that out-of-the box, yet traditional, approach that is unique to Highwood that led John Swenson and Seed Savers to partner with Highwood Historical Society in it’s Terrific Tomato Contest.
