What is The Flying Tomato Festival™?
The Tomato Festival™ also known as the World’s Sauciest Party is an interactive festival experience that includes music, fitness, food – and ends in a huge tomato squishing barrage surrounding the Tower of Tomatoes TM. We promote fun, fitness, and social engagement – along with bringing awareness to important global issues such as clean water, hunger, and more.
Is The Tomato Festival™ a charity or a non-profit organization?
The Tomato Festival™ is neither a charity nor a non-profit organization. We are a “for profit” event company. Get the details on our charity partnerships right here.
Do I need to be in shape to do this?
Our participants range from children to grandparents. Our primary focus is on providing an awesome atmosphere and a day of TONS OF FUN! Lots of other events may test your fitness or stamina – the only stamina you’ll need is the discipline to keep yourself from eating all the spaghetti sauce we make together! (Hint: Won’t require much).
What is included with my Ticket?
Each participant will receive an awesome set of Tomato Festival™ goggles. You’ll also get a wristband for the event, & tattoo. Participants who support our FOOD DRIVE by bringing at least one pound (16 oz. of non-perishable food may also receive custom “FIGHT HUNGER, THROW TOMATOES” swag (while supplies last).
Is there an age limit for younger kids?
We welcome people of all ages to enjoy the Tomato Festival™ atmosphere. Children 12 and younger can attend the festival for FREE if they attend with a parent or legal guardian. Participants ages 13 years old and older will need to purchase a ticket. Before the throwing of tomatoes begins our MCs will let parents and children know that all children under 13 will need to exit the the main arena. The will need to stay back for the first 20 minutes of Tomato throwing, or until the MCs announce that children are now welcome to enter the area. During that time a parent or guardian will need to continue to accompany children ages 12 and younger outside the throwing area.
Does Tomato Festival™ have a packet pick up?
The exact details for packet pick up and or check in depend on each city and the number or participants we have. For events larger than 5,000 participants we often conduct an optional packet pick up the day before the event to minimize wait times on event day. Details for your Tomato Festival™ and packet pick up will be posted to your city event page during the week of the festival, and we’ll email final instructions to participants 7-10 days before the event.
Can I send someone to pick up my packet for me?
You will be emailed a ticket confirmation after you purchase. Print this or send them an electronic copy they can access on their phone and we’ll get you your stuff!
Can I bring my pets?
We do not allow animals at Tomato Festival™.
Does the Tomato Festival™ waste a lot of food (tomatoes)?
We appreciate the sensitivity to important issues surrounding WASTE. Each day at homes, grocery stores, schools, restaurants and even farms tens of thousands of pounds of good food is wasted. Like most large events the Tomato Run consumes goods to create the fun. Colored powder is made from Corn, Lanterns are made by logging trees – and other plastic or metal goods are given to participants and then disposed of. The main product we consume (tomatoes) are organic, biodegradable and contain no chemicals and have not been altered. When possible we strive to request late-life ripened tomatoes (which may have otherwise been disposed of if not sold) versus tomatoes that are harvested unripened and then ripened en route to their destinations. In addition to making our tomato waste available for composting at no charge (upon request) – the Tomato Festival™ donates funds, marketing, brings awareness to and collects food for food banks and other Non-Profits. We love bringing a fun event that benefits the community socially, spiritually and economically. View our Community Involvement page for more information about our mission, and the realities of food waste in our society and food wasted by the Tomato Festival™.
How did the Tomato Festival™ get started?
The Tomato Festival™ was inspired by the “La Tomatina” in Spain – and wanted to create an opportunity for people all over the world to get out, get active, and enjoy this amazing world – while raising awareness for important global issues such as fighting hunger and making clean water accessible. We have drawn inspiration from countless other events around the world to create a unique experience for our Tomato Nation.
Is there a dress code?
We recommend you wear CLOSED-TOE shoes. Beyond that feel free to create the funnest, craziest costumes you can imaging for the big day! Our participants often wear white, red, pink, green and more. Most importantly – you will want to wear clothing you don’t mind getting stained or throwing away after the event.
How do we clean up after the Tomato Festival™?
Each participant will have a fair amount of control over how messy you become. If you want to be in the middle of everything, you will be a big mess. We recommend participants bring a change of clothing AND shoes for the car ride home. We will provide “Scrape & Wash” stations that are very public (no walls, outdoor in full view), and recommend the scrape & drape philosophy for the ride home. (Scrape everything off of yourself, wipe clean, drape your car with towels or bags to protect it). Shoes & Clothing can be washed at home but many participants come with intention of throwing shoes or clothing away after the event. You may want to carry some baby wipes in your car 
Will the tomatoes ruin clothes or shoes?
It is probably best NOT to wear clothing or shoes if you are worried the tomatoes won’t wash out. The sooner you get home and wash the items you wore the better. We will also have a place for participants to throw away clothing or shoes if you would like to do so after the event.
Will the Tomatoes affect the inside of cars?
We recommend you bring a change of clothes & shoes, and some towels or bags for insides of your car. We also recommend you have wipes on hand and a water tight bag to place your dirty clothes or shoes into after the event.
Can spectators attend the Tomato Festival™?
Because of the logistics of our event, every person seeking to enter the Festival Area will need a ticket. We have opportunities for Volunteers to participate for free and members of the press can contact us for a press pass. All participants, volunteers, and press should expect that they will get tomatoes on them!
Are cameras and phones safe?
Bring your electronics into Tomato Festival™ at your own risk. We will have photographers on site as well – but we recommend you take precautions to keep your expensive equipment safe.
What if I can’t come? Can I get a refunds?
If an event is held, we do NOT issue refunds. The logistics of producing and executing the event make issuing refunds for held events impossible. We encourage participants to confirm their schedule before signing up. Tomato Festival™ is a Rain or Shine event. If extreme weather, fire or other conditions that were unforeseeable are deemed to be potentially hazardous to participants or put participants safety at risk – the organizers (along with City Officials) may postpone the event start time or cancel the event. There will be no refunds or deferrals for weather cancellation.
What happens if there is bad weather?
The Tomato Festival™ is a “Rain or Shine” event. This means that whether it is 100 degrees outside or if it is pouring rain – we’ll be there. Still – the safety of our participants is our top priority and extreme weather could create a circumstance where it may be necessary to cancel the event.
In circumstances of Tornado, Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Flash Flood, or Heavy Lightening or Thunderstorm – the Event Director will coordinate with city and local authorities to monitor the weather and determine how to proceed. Read more about Weather Cancellation here.
