Missouri Tomato Festival Thursday in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo – Learn about growing tomatoes and sample tomato and pepper varieties at the University of Missouri Tomato Festival, 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center in Columbia.

“We haven’t held the Tomato Festival since 2019, and people are asking for it,” said Tim Reinbott, communications director for the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.

The free event will feature tasting of 100 varieties of tomatoes and peppers as well as salsas and other tomato products. MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein will tell how to grow the tastiest tomatoes. There will be a cooking demonstration with tomatoes and fingerling potatoes.

Activities for kids include flavored milk tasting, pedal tractors to play in and barnyard animals.

A local vendor will sell heirloom tomatoes. Heart of Missouri Master Gardeners will sell perennials from Jefferson Farm’s butterfly garden.

The MU Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center is at 4800 New Haven Road, Columbia.

“We’re excited to host the Tomato Festival once again and invite everyone to attend this fun and free event,” said Reinbott.