ELLINGER — The 89th Annual Tomato Festi - val returns to the city of El -
linger May 29-31, bringing a full weekend of food, mu sic, competition, and small- town tradition.
Festival weekend kicks off Friday, May 29, with Chef's Choice Entrée and Dessert contests, along with Chips & Salsa and Bartend -
er's Choice competitions. Live music from the Air - plane Band will wrap up the evening from 8 to 11 p.m.
Saturday's lineup fea - tures barbecue competi - tions in brisket, chicken, pork spare ribs, pork butt, and pinto beans, as well as Farmer's Breakfast and Adult Breakfast Beverage contests.
One of the newest attrac - tions this year is the $1,000 Steak Shootout Cook-Off, giving grill masters a chance to compete for cash prizes, bragging rights, and top honors.
Families can also enjoy free kids activities includ - ing water slides and bouncy houses throughout the day,
while festivalgoers can take part in the annual crowd-fa - vorite Tomato Toss Contest beginning at 4 p.m.
More than $6,000 in prize money will be award - ed during the BBQ Cook-Off and Steak Shootout competitions Award Cere - mony on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
A live auction featuring a $500 Buyer's Bonus is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sat - urday evening, followed by DJ entertainment. Mason
Jar of La Grange and R&R Shaved Ice will also be on
site Friday and Saturday
serving festival attendees.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 31, communi- ty volunteers will serve the awesome Ellinger chamber fried chicken and sausage meal featuring homemade fried chicken, sausage, but - tered potatoes, green beans, and sauerkraut. Plates will be available for $15 through both dine-in and drive-thru service while supplies last.
The Sunday meal has long been one of the festival's most cherished traditions, drawing families and visi - tors from across the area to
enjoy a homemade meal and hometown hospitality.
Raffle tickets are also available for purchase now and during the festival. Only 1,200 tickets will be sold, with 50 prizes to be awarded. Tickets are $20 each or three for $50. Cash, check, and Venmo pay ments are accepted. You do not have to be present to win. The drawing will be held live at 1:30 p.m. Sun - day via Facebook Live. To purchase tickets, call or text 979-966-8612.
See you in Ellinger this weekend, where history and hospitality meet!For regis- tration information, official contest rules, and addition- al festival details, visit el lingertexas.com.
