DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 35, No. 10 | Richmond Suburban News | July 11, 2018
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Celebrating Hanover style
40 years! Tomato Festival embraces history in 2018 By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
Joel Klein for The Local
What heat? These kids, photo above, didn’t care about the temperatures last Wednesday. They were interested in checking out all the activities at the Ashland Fourth of July Celebration. Below, Charles, Courtney and Sylvia Link of Montpelier enjoyed a shady spot and a hamburger during the 2018 Beaverdam Independence Day Parade. More photos of both events can be found on page 16; a story about Beaverdam’s day is on page 13.
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MECHANICSVILLE – An idea that was spawned in 1978 has turned into the biggest event of the year in Mechanicsville. Seeking ways to raise funds for the fire station, the Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department decided to sponsor a festival, with the star attraction being the Hanover Tomato. That fruit has brought widespread attention to the county, in addition to muchneeded financial aid for the VFD. This year’s festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pole Green Park at 8996 Pole Green Park Lane in Mechanicsville. Forty years ago, President Larry Sutton and Fire Chief Oscar Watson spearheaded the project, with all agreeing
to a small local festival at the site of the former firehouse on McClellan Road.
2014 file photo
This is what it’s all about! The Hanover Tomato will be sold in the center tent on Saturday as the 40th Hanover Tomato Festival fills the grounds of Pole Green Park.
Once the decision was made to go the route of a festival, the next question was “What will the theme be?” Black Creek VFD members were aware that the Camptown Races was being used in Ashland and the Oyster Festival in Urbanna. Unique was the next word to be considered in determining a theme. Looking around the rural community, everyone saw the fields of vegetables, especially tomatoes. Eureka -a theme was found, with the Hanover Tomato Festival. That first festival 40 years ago at the original fire station location featured a Fireman’s Parade and contests, including one eating tomatoes. About 300 people came to the event. Samples of dishes prepared with the famous tomatoes were brought in by local homemakers. see HISTORY, pg. 4