Nashville hasn’t had much of a winter in 2017, and that’s just fine in our book! It means that spring is coming quickly (have you seen the buds on the trees?) and the weather will be warming up into the 70’s and 80’s. With pretty weather comes the festivals, and with the festivals come the crowds and busy summer agendas. For us, it’s the Tomato Art Festival that keeps a solid date on our schedules ever single year – it may happen in August, but it’s never too early to plan for greatness.
Lindsey Boise - Flickr
The Tomato Art Fest takes place in Historic Five Points, an area in East Nashville that has become infused with millennial hipsters and local, true blue Nashvillians alike. This year marks the 14th time the streets have been flooded with celebrating Tennesseans.
Lindsey Boise - Flickr
Meg and Bret MacFadyen founded the fest years ago as a community builder. It was in 2004 that the East Nashville Art and Invention Gallery owners hosted a late August art show, one that celebrated the widely grown Tennessee tomato. The sensible and humble event started out small, but oh how it grew.
Stephen Drake - Flickr
In all actuality, the Tomato Art Fest was so extremely popular that it has exploded onto the signature East Nashville scene. In 2016, more than 60,000 people flooded the streets.
What happens when you go? Well. The Fest and related events are free, a public weekend that encourages costumes and wacky, colorful art. There’s an annual 5k run that’s widely known around the city, and rows and rows of local vendors and businesses that are looking to meet you.
Stephen Yeargin - Flickr
You’ll be fed by local food trucks, which is always a plus. Five Points Pizza is nearby and Jeni’s is never too far (two scoops, please!), and you can even indulge in a bit of Nashville hot chicken. This is the time.
Keep an eye out for all of the kid-centric activities and events - this is a family atmosphere!
Stephen Yeargin - Flickr
The Tomato Art Fest begins on Saturday, but you’ll want to show up for the free Friday Night Concert in Five Points. It’s Music City, so of course there will be an extensive amount of twang and a solid beat.
You can check out a full list of sponsors and vendors on their main site, but you can be sure to find your favorite neighborhood spot. We love the Tomato Fest, because it truly strives to maintain the eccentric quirkiness of Music City.
March your calendars - the East Nashville Tomato Art Fest will take place on August 11th and 12th, 2017. Will we see you there?
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