Changes each year at the Pittston Tomato Festival are inevitable, whether it’s a location change in 1998 or new vendors coming or going, musical acts, or even a change in dining space – you can always expect something different.
This year, a top tier is being added to the grounds as the rear parking lot of the Pittston Memorial Library will be utilized, along with the new amphitheater. Without a doubt, that will be the biggest adjustment and a great use of space.
It’s safe to say the festival, with growth, will transform into something better and next year will be no exception.
This year, we say good-bye to the annual Pittston Tomato Queen Pageant, which has been a staple for many, many years. Organizers felt it was time to eliminate the event and focus on different areas.
Also saying good-bye this year is Sauce Wars. The competition between local restaurants has run its course. The booth needed a lot of attention and getting volunteers to man the booth was not always easy. Don’t forget, there are only so many volunteers and every one of them has a whole lot of responsibilities.
The biggest change comes in the form of loss. For the first time in as many years as the festival has been running, we will not see the familiar face of Dr. Joseph Lombardo walking the grounds, or having one of his favorite sausage sandwiches, or fulfilling his all-time favorite thing — serving as master of ceremonies of the Tomato Queen Pageant.
It seems fitting that the pageant is being retired at the same time of Doc’s death.
“One of the things we’ve been deliberating on was the pageant and, when my dad passed away, it was like a message from God, let’s cancel the pageant,” Pittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo said. “It made sense to cancel this year.”
Doc just loved asking questions with a zinger or two in between contestants. As his son Mayor Mike said, “He took the job very seriously.” Mike even suggested to his dad to “loosen up a bit, this isn’t a national stage.”
“The festival was something my dad really enjoyed,” Mayor Lombardo said. “He may be one of the few people that wasn’t on the committee that spent as much time on the lot as the committee.”
One of Doc’s favorite foods was indeed the sausage sandwich made by his friends who run Three Guys food tent.
“One of the things about the festival is you get to see your old classmates whether they graduated with you or another year,” Mayor Lombardo said. “That was something my dad really appreciated.”
Doc had a great connection to the music world and, in the early days, he was responsible for bringing in a few name acts, like Shirley Austin of the Shirelles fame, for one.
In fact, after medical school, Doc was drafted into the military but, because of a family medical issue, instead of being shipped overseas, he spent the rest of his military days doing his residency at New Orleans where he became personal friends with the late Fats Domino.
According to the mayor, Fats and Doc remained friends for many years. including having Fats visiting Pittston and staying with the Lombardos. In fact, Jerry Lee Lewis was another guest of the Lombardos.
It’s safe to say Doc loved every aspect of the festival but really enjoyed the music.
“My dad had a great life and he crammed a lot of life in his 80 years, including working up until the day he got sick three days before he passed away,” Lombardo said in reflection. “This is going to be an interesting year and there’s a lot of change occurring. I think we have to appreciate the time we have left.”
The Tomato Festival will undoubtedly miss Doc and the colorful wardrobe he would wear from year to year. Rest assured, though, Doc will have a front row seat with his two favorites on hand — a sausage sandwich and a bowl of rice pudding as he looks down on all of his family and friends.
