TomatoFest tastes great. People come to Emerson Park every year from all over the area to try the different ways that sweet, tangy fruit can be prepared.

But TomatoFest sounds great, too. Or at least this year's event organizers are working to make it that way.

According to Martin Seaman, who is in charge of entertainment, the festival is putting a bigger focus on music than in past years. Not only are dozens of rock and folk acts booked for the entire weekend, but a new musical competition will showcase some of the area's top singers and guitar players, he said.

“The caliber of musicians is going to be really good,” said Seaman, who is working on the event's entertainment for the first time. “You're going to get a great show at either stage.”

First held in 1986, Central New York's TomatoFest raises money and canned food for the area's hungry residents. The two-day, lakeside festival offers food, crafts and entertainment every year to the thousands who show up.

But Seaman said the festival is reaching out this time to a younger crowd. On Saturday, both stages will boast an all-rock lineup, with Grateful Dead emulators The Scapegoats coming on at 4 p.m. The smaller, lakeside stage will also have a block featuring all jam bands who will be playing up to two-hour sets, Seaman said.

For those looking for a more mellow vibe, Sunday's entertainment will cool things off a bit.

“We wanted to slow things down (Sunday),” Seaman said, “so we brought in some original folk artists from this area.”

For those music fans who want to see who could be the area's next big star, the new Top Tomato contest will span Saturday and Sunday. Ten singers and guitar players will perform for judges and audiences in hopes to win the first prize of $200 and a new guitar.

The unique thing about this contest is the singers and guitarists will compete against one another, Seaman said. And the contestants represent all ages.

“We have everything from kids to adults,” he said. “I think the youngest is 11 or 12.”

Despite the rockin' entertainment lineup, TomatoFest will still have plenty for people of all ages, organizer Gilda Brower said. The family fun tent is especially popular with children, and this year it will host the iconic Ronald McDonald from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, she said.

And this will be the first time TomatoFest features a Friday night dance, with the popular Joe Whiting providing the music.

“We wanted to do something really special,” Brower said of the dance. “It is going to be such a wonderful way to kick everything into gear.”

All these new acts and events are a way to attract visitors who might not otherwise come to TomatoFest, Seaman said. Most people in Cayuga County know about the popular festival, he said. But what about the out-of-towners?

“We really want to give people something that everybody sees happening in the area,” Seaman said. “We're finding ways to make it grow without making it get too big.”

Christopher Caskey

253-5311 ext. 282

christopher.caskey@lee.net

If you go.

What: CNY TomatoFest

When: Friday through Sunday

Where: Emerson Park, Route 38, Owasco

Cost: $5 for the Friday kickoff; $3 or $2 with canned good donation; children under 12 free with canned good

Info: Visit www.cnytomatofest.com