Sixth annual Heirloom Tomato and Music Festival is Aug. 22

W. Rogowski Farm plans its biggest tomato celebration on the Black Dirt PINE ISLAND — The sixth annual Heirloom Tomato and Music Festival will take place on the W. Rogowski Farm on Glenwood Road in Pine Island on Sunday, Aug. 22. Although the farm grows over 250 varieties of produce each season, the heirloom tomato is in the spotlight as the special of the day, according to organizers. Tomatoes will be a main ingredient, but not the only one, in the culinary demonstrations taking place throughout the festival, they added. There will also be arts and handcrafts exhibits, agricultural workshops, raffles for baskets and prizes along with pony rides and face painting. There will also be Music performances by Marty Koppel, Mike Sinatra, Project Mercury and Uncle Shoehorn. The Black Dirt Dance Company is planning a special performance. Tickets are $3 for adults (two adults for $5). There is no admission charge for children under 15 years. Each ticket entitles the bearer to a free raffle ticket and a tomato tasting. “We live in a rural community, but many people aren’t familiar with their local farms or with farming practices in general,” said Cheryl Rogowski, a second generation farmer at the Rogowski’s Pine Island farm in the Black Dirt region. “This is a chance to understand what goes into growing our food and why it makes a difference to buy locally,” she adds. For more information, call the W. Rogowski Farm at 845-258-4574.