Join the Great LI Tomato Challenge
Tomato hopefuls are greeted by Newsday Garden Detective Jessica Damiano, who's handing out sign-in sheets to enter the contest for weigh-ins during the third annual great Long Island Tomato Challenge at Newsday's headquarters in Melville. (Aug. 28, 2009) Credit: Newsday/Ana P. Gutierrez
There are just two weeks to go until this year's Great Long Island Tomato Challenge. Last year, more than 100 backyard growers entered the contest in the quest to find Long Island's biggest tomato.
This year's event will take place at Newsday headquarters -- 235 Pinelawn Road, Melville, at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 27. No need to sign up or register; just show up with your largest tomato in tow.
I'll be on hand to personally weigh each tomato and crown the next Tomato King or Queen.
Past winners include a Burpee Porterhouse (currently the title holder and largest Long Island tomato on record), a Bull's Heart and an "Ugly" tomato, grown from Italian seeds.
2010 CHALLENGE: Read about some of the entrants
PHOTOS: The Great Long Island Tomato Challenge 2009
VIDEO: The Great Long Island Tomato Challenge 2009
VIDEO: The Great Long Island Tomato Challenge 2008
Newsday photo /Ana P. Gutierrez: 2009 Great Long Island Tomato Challenge
