RIPENED, picked and ready to go are Gunnedah’s “big reds”, along with other locally grown produce to be entered in this Sunday’s annual National Tomato Contest.
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The contest, held at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club, is now in its 35th year and shows entries of all kinds, with the prestigious Vince and Olga Donaghue trophy for the biggest tomato set in growers’ sights.
Novice growers have their own section for the biggest tomato, presented with the Tom Lawrence Memorial trophy.
Three biggest, three best, best looking, widest, oddest shaped and tastiest tomatoes can be entered in the contest, with all entries to be in edible condition.
The Keith Burke Memorial trophy will be awarded to the heaviest single truss of tomatoes (need not be ripe).
Children are asked to get creative with their fruit and vegetables in the under 12 years section – a novelty exhibit which must be made of fresh fruit and vegetables.
National Tomato Day is not just about tomatoes, however, with growers raiding their vegie patches to enter three apple cucumbers, a long green cucumber, the biggest onion, three biggest onions and the biggest vegetable.
For those who choose to make condiments from their tomatoes – tomato jam, tomato relish, tomato pickles and tomato sauce can be entered and judged on the day (250 grams minimum).
Entries will be received from 8am-10am and judged at noon.
The Gunnedah Hospital Auxiliary will hold a trading table, while refresments, cold beer and a barbecue will also be available.
Produce will be on display from local olive grower Malcolm Payne and Michelle Riordan’s Gemini Park Lavender.
There is also a home brew competition, sponsored by FT Tudor and Gunnedah Plumbing Service – entries must be cold for the judges to taste test, and a section for the best ginger beer, sponsored by Gordon Turner Motorcycles.
There will be a local talent quest for all ages –with prizemoney on offer for the winners.
Versatile country singer, Brent Larkham will keep the crowd entertained throughout the event.
Proceeds from the annual tyre raffle, sponsored by Brown’s Tyre Service, will go to Gunnedah Riding For Disabled.
For the keen bowler, the Tomato Day Open Triples tournament will be held on Saturday, January 25, starting at 9.15am.