NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — East Nashville's Tomato Art Festival kicks off Thursday.
Most of the festival, which runs through Sunday, will be virtual, but a socially-distanced Tomato Art Show is happening in-person at 1105 Woodland Street.
"A lot of the artists that were part of the original show are still doing artwork and we've have a lot of new folks every year that come in and participate," said Jack Davis, festival director.
This is the 17th Annual Tomato Art Festival.
"Generally in a non-pandemic year you will find 60,000 people gathered in Five Points, [with] local artists, vendors, food trucks and great local restaurants all featuring tomato related items," Davis said.
In March, East Nashville weathered a tornado. Now it is facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of that, festival organizers didn't want to cancel the activities outright.
"We felt like people needed something positive and this festival has been so community-oriented and the people who live in the neighborhood still wanted to participate as safely as possible," Davis said.
The annual Push, Pull and Wear Parade is a porch parade this year. Around 40 houses in the neighborhood are decorated.
"The community continues to pour it's love into this event and to bring people together," he said.
The Bloody Mary recipe contest, vendor market and pet fashion show are virtual this year. Check out tomatoartfest.com to read about the changes.
