Having a "Ball" to Kick Off Tomato Festival

Mrs. Glenda and Mr. Jim Cross and Dr. Sue and Mayor Bryan Martin

The 58th annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival is underway.  While a lot of the activities will be held throughout this week, culminating with a heavy schedule June, 13th and 14th,  things got started Thursday June 5th with the Tomato Ball.  A good crowd was on hand at the BrInn to enjoy food prepared by the "Red Neck Gourmet" (Doug Thornton).  No one was disappointed.

Joey Cathey, Kim Cathey, and Auctioneer Tony Cathey

In addition to a time of visiting, the group had the opportunity to purchase books from Leah Forrest Sexton, a Warren native,  who has written about the history of the tomato industry in Bradley County and the surrounding area.

Auctioneer Tony Cathy auctioned off five items to help raise money for the festival.  The following items were purchased:  tomato flag donated by Busy Bees to Dr. Sue Martin;  a sculpture donated by The Spinning Wheel to Glenda Cross; three rookie football cards signed by Jarius Wright, Chris Gragg, and Greg Childs donated by the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce to Julie King; the Very Important Tomato donated by the Festival to Paula Lewis; and a guitar signed by Larry Gatlin, last year's entertainer, provided by the Festival to Murray Claycomb.

An Autographed Larry Gatlin guitar drew a lot of interest during the auction.