For most Americans, July is a time for age-old traditions and festivities. One of the most popular summertime traditions is, of course, the celebration of the Fourth of July, during which every town in the country signifies the birth of the United States with fireworks, cookouts and grand displays of patriotism. Although Washington Boro is no exception, this time of year includes a tradition that is unique to its community, and it involves a heap of tomatoes.

The annual Tomato Festival will be held on Saturdays, July 13 and 20, at Washington Boro Park, 2010 River Road. Food will start to be served at 3:30 p.m. on both days, and live music and activities will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Activities will include various games and prizes, and proceeds from the event will benefit Blue Rock Fire Rescue.

One of the Tomato Festival's main highlights is the food; in addition to hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes and barbecue sandwiches, a variety of items featuring locally grown tomatoes will be available to purchase. This includes the community-favorite tomato sandwich, which entails thick slices of fresh tomatoes that are often enjoyed with mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce and onion.

Each day of the Tomato Festival will feature a performance from a different artist; Border Line will perform on July 13, and July 20 will include entertainment from 3 Hour Tour.

The Tomato Festival was adopted by the Lions Club in 1958, after local farmers created the event as a way to celebrate Washington Boro's special connection to tomatoes. Washington Boro's farmland, which sits adjacent to the Susquehanna River, contains a mixture of soil and sand. The unique blend of soil often allows farmers to yield a greater number of tomatoes from their crops.

The festival has been held annually for more than 60 years, but it has evolved into more than just a place to buy delicious tomatoes. The Washington Boro Fire Company took over the management of the event in 1992, and the Tomato Festival is now run by Blue Rock Fire Rescue.

"It's a true community event, and people come from all over the county every year," said Richard Schock, a member of the Tomato Festival's planning committee. "Even after it's over at 9 p.m., local farmers and a lot of people always stick around just to talk and enjoy the breeze we get from the river."

The festival's planning committee is always accepting volunteers to help with the event. For more information, contact Schock at 717-951-6411.