The long-awaited tradition of eating as many tomatoes as possible will continue for another
year. While the details are still being worked out, attendees can expect to see the spectacle sometime in the afternoon in the Floral Building.
The contest usually has around five competitors who are each given three pounds of tomatoes. Their only rule is to eat as many tomatoes as they can before the five-minute timer runs out.
Eaters also don’t need to pay anything to compete, and the winner will receive a prize of $50.
“We always look forward to seeing the crowd engagement,” Tomato Festival Committee
Member Allison Gomes said. “They really get a kick out of the tomato-eating contest. It is a fan-favorite that has been happening at the festival for a numerous amount of years.”
The current six-time tomato eating contest champion, Charles Bill Jr., may be returning this year to defend his title.
Bill Jr. hails from Cypress California and won a $200 prize for eating 2.2 pounds of tomatoes in five minutes last year. Whoever stands to compete against him will be facing an uphill battle.
