This year’s Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival queens gather for a group photo: from left are Anna Bello, Anniylah Murrell and Savana Bunting. Behind them is Nicole Lyles, last year’s reigning queen.
CHERYL DELEON PHOTO
This year’s event took place May 11 at E. G. Simmons Regional Park and drew thousands of visitors.
Highlights included a Roamin’ Oldies car show of 35 vintage and custom vehicles, continuous live music, food and 42 vendor displays.
Anna Bello, Anniylah Murrell and Savana Bunting were named this year’s Tomato Queens.
The event featured lots of fresh-picked, vine-ripened tomatoes, ‘mater sandwiches,’ prepared by the Ruskin Woman’s Club, and lots of cold beer on a very hot day.
Lois Kindle
Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival volunteers and visitors gather at the festival’s main entrance for a quick photo. Back row, from left: Kevin Sullivan and Hermione, his 7-month-old boxer pup, Desi Ferreira and Marilyn Navarro. Seated are Analisa Lewis and Debbie Diamond.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Greg Ferreira, of Apollo Beach, checks out a 1948 Ford truck owned by Bob Icenogle, who refurbished it and reported it’s still operational.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Gibsonton resident Charlotte Clark, co-owner of C & J Specialty, serves a Nathan’s hot dog at the recent Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Donald Williams, owner of Nik-Y-Nak Celtic Jewelry and Gifts, chats with Carmen Mateo, center right, and her daughter Mary Miller, both of Gibsonton. The Chihuahua puppy is 13-week-old Athena.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Better Butterfly Creations had one of the more colorful displays at the Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival. The Palmetto-based business is owned by lepidopterist Salvatore Ciccarello.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Solo artist Angelica Brevard performs the Nora Jones hit “Don’t Know Why” at this year’s Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival May 11 at E.G. Simmons Regional Park.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
