NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – You’ve never seen it in New Orleans before.
That’s because it’s never happened in New Orleans before.
A priest blesses a tomato. In fact, he blesses a bunch of tomatoes. He blesses all the tomatoes about to be the stars of the 30th Annual Creole Tomato Festival.
The priest is the Very Rev. Philip G. Landry. He’s rector of the St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of New Orleans French Quarter.
WGNO News with a Twist features reporter Wild Bill Wood is there when the priest blesses the fruit of the festival.
You’ve got some time to plan for the festival. It happens on June 11 and June 12. It starts at 10 am and the tomato-flavored fun continues until 7 pm.
This year, three tomato vendors are at the festival.
Returning is Ben & Ben Becnel’s Farm. The tomatoes from these guys will be gobbled up at the Creole Tomato Eating Contest.
Also returning, the fruit form George’s Produce. They’ve got their “Best of the Fest” award winning tomatoes for you.
And new this year, Poche Family Farm. They’ll be traveling in from Independence, LA and set up near the festival’s main music stage.
If you’re really hungry for creole tomatoes, sign up for the Creole Tomato Eating Contest. Both days of the festival. The contest is at 12:30 pm. Sign up by noon.
Winners get a trophy, festival souvenirs and a bag of fresh Creole tomatoes.