Lionel Mailloux of Manhasset credits “a combination of the weather and luck" for his towering 8-foot-tall tomato plants. The cherry and Big Beef varieties are producing fruit, he says, and "the plants are growing uncontrollably." 
 Mark your calendars: This year’s contest will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at Newsday headquarters (235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville). Give your plants plenty of tender loving care all summer long, then bring your biggest, heaviest ripe fruit to the event. 
 I'll be on hand to weigh your tomatoes personally and crown the 2013 Tomato King or Queen. In the meantime, send a photo of yourself with your tomato plants, along with details about your growing strategy, to<a href="mailto:jessica.damiano@newsday.com?subject=Tomato%20contest"> jessica.damiano@newsday.com</a>, and you might be featured next.

Lionel Mailloux of Manhasset credits “a combination of the weather and luck" for his towering 8-foot-tall tomato plants. The cherry and Big Beef varieties are producing fruit, he says, and "the plants are growing uncontrollably." Mark your calendars: This year’s contest will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at Newsday headquarters (235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville). Give your plants plenty of tender loving care all summer long, then bring your biggest, heaviest ripe fruit to the event. I'll be on hand to weigh your tomatoes personally and crown the 2013 Tomato King or Queen. In the meantime, send a photo of yourself with your tomato plants, along with details about your growing strategy, to jessica.damiano@newsday.com, and you might be featured next.

Things to Do

Tomato contestant: Lionel Mailloux of Manhasset

Newsday

lfDAMIANO

Lifestyle Trending Articles

Find live music, food, rides, fun, games and more at these events, from May to Labor Day.

Guide: LI summer fairs and festivals

Explore North Shore campgrounds for affordable adventures, from fishing and hiking to s'mores by the fire, all near scenic waterfronts.

Guide: Camping on LI's North Shore

Explore our interactive guide to weekend fun, including family-friendly events, concerts, festivals and more.

Things to do this weekend

Most Popular

Lifestyle Rail Module

"He's big, he's a duck. What's not to like?" said one participant and winner of the coveted last-place prize.

Duck(s)! Over 100 people compete in rubber duckie race for Big Duck

The 33rd annual Seafood Festival raises money for the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville.

2-day seafood festival shells out thousands of oysters, lobster rolls, more

The owners' attention to detail extends to milling the flour for sandwich rolls.

Quirky new LI cafe offers much more than coffee

The eatery was a crowd-pleasing spot frequented by hungry summer visitors stuck in weekend traffic and offseason residents who made the eatery their go-to on cooler, quieter evenings.

East End restaurant to close after Labor Day dinner service

A singular beef lineup and hushed vibe make it a steakhouse with a difference.

Steak restaurant opens from team behind top LI Italian spot

The spot will offer 44 flavors, including 40 hard-serve flavors.

5th LI Mister Softee storefront to open next month

Things to Do Article Bottom Module

The blaze damaged several areas on the property, including the bar.

Fire damages historic Milleridge Inn

The menu lists about 20 preparations, some saucy, some fried and others crispy and coated in spices.

New fast-food chain opens with LI's largest variety of momos

You'd never guess there's a restaurant in this small house overlooking the Peconic River, let alone an outdoor dining oasis in the backyard.

16 hidden restaurants worth seeking out on LI

The MTA announced the reopening of Tracks, which was forced to close in 2019 as part of renovations to Penn Station.

Tracks Raw Bar and Grill returns to Penn Station

The lawsuit was filed by Martin Butera, who, along with family members had owned the traditional family-run Italian restaurant chain since 1991.

Former owner of Butera's restaurant sues new operator over payments, court filing shows

The brand has three stores opening across the Island in the coming months.

Coffee brand opens 1st LI location

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

On Thursday an "accidental electrical fire" damaged several areas of the historic Milleridge Inn's main property.

'Accidental electrical fire' damages Milleridge Inn

Cleaning crews were hard at work after a tornado ripped through the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach Thursday evening. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It was just a whistling sound that came right through'

Jones Beach Theatre concertgoers were hit by a massive storm Thursday night, causing the show to be delayed. Some attendees thought the concert should have been canceled. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'100% should have been cancelled'

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman learns about renting and driving a skiff boat at Ted's Fishing Station in Point Lookout.

Cruise Long Island's shoreline on your own private boat

Since girls flag football became an official sport in New York high schools in the spring of 2023, participation in the sport has increased nearly 70%, NewsdayTV's Jared Valluzzi reports.

Flag football taking over spring sports

Ken Buffa stopped by La Cucina Paisanos in Farmingville to try their "pull apart soul-bowls," which are bread bowls stuffed with pasta.

Trendy Bites: Get stuffed with these Italian 'soul-bowls'

Mandates could include requiring new systems when old septic tanks fail or when houses are sold. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Environmentalists want more mandates to replace Suffolk septic systems as program falls behind

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us the dedication it takes to keep bees at the Hallockville Museum Farm in Riverhead.

Out East: All the buzz at the Hallockville Museum Farm

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman visits Onda Bella Cruises for a boat ride from Northport Harbor.

Cruise from Northport Harbor on the Onda Bella

Long-forgotten unpaid traffic infractions in other states are causing a delay in New York State license renewals. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Outstanding out-of-state tickets holding back NYS license renewals 

Things to Do Video Playlist

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.

Out East Show: Westhampton Beach Brew & Grille, Hallockville Museum Farm Bees, North Fork Foodie Tour, Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation

From the Hampton Classic to Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner at Jones Beach, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joins Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Coach Meeting House in Oyster Bay to talk about happy hour deals on Long Island.

$20 Aperol spritz tower and more happy hour deals

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Swingbelly's in Long Beach to learn about their BBQ takeout options.

BBQ takeout: Save time and savor the flavor

Sample knishes, loaded mashed potatoes, a beer garden and more at the Long Island Potato Festival at Farmingdale State College on Sept. 26-27.

A carb-lover's dream

'Something new and fresh and trendy'

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed tours Splish Splash, which has been entertaining Long Islanders for 35 years.

Out East: Slide into fun at Splish Splash

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Doug Geed take a look back at the case against Richard Angelo, who injected several patients with a paralyzing drug.

'One of the worst we've ever seen'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Joye Brown take a look back at the summer of 2008 and the "Montauk Monster."

That time a 'monster' washed ashore in Montauk

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Medford pharmacy shooting on Father's Day 2011.

'This was a cold-blooded murder'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the history of The Big Duck in Flanders.

'The big event in the life of the Big Duck was when it was moved'

Sign up for our Things To Do newsletter

Things To Do Newsletter Signup

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Things to Do - megaslot

Find travel, family, restaurant and event news, plus things to do that will keep you and your family entertained.

Most Popular

Stay logged in.