In the past two weeks, there have been festivals for blackberries, blueberries and, of course, peaches. You can now add to that list of fruit that have their own festivals, the tomato.

Petals from the Past will be hosting its Fifth Annual Tomato Festival on Saturday, July 9, starting at 10 a.m.

Owner Jason Powell said the event came about because of the amount of growers that asked for assistance with growing.

“It’s the one plant that just about everyone grows,” he said. “We were having people come in with problems with their plants wilting. It was really born out of the need to grow [better tomatoes].”

There will be a tomato-growing seminar led by Arnold Caylor, superintendent of the North Alabama Research substation, and various dishes using tomatoes provided for sampling.

In addition, there will be a tomato-judging contest in which growers are encouraged to bring in their own. Prizes will be awarded on size, taste, aroma and even ugliest.

“It really brings out the competitiveness in gardeners,” said Powell.

Powell also said he expects the crowd to be relatively large.

“We’re expecting a good turnout, probably around 70,” he said. “If you’ve ever thought about growing tomatoes, then it’s a must attend event.”

For more information about the Tomato Festival, call 205-646-0069 or visit www.petalsfromthepast.com