PITTSTON — Little Mister Pittston Tomato has a favorite vegetable, and it’s not tomatoes.
When Abel Krawczuk, 4, made his way confidently across the stage of the Little Miss and Little Mister Pittston Tomato contest and, when asked was asked his favorite festival food was, proudly replied, “Carrots!”
The response drew laughter from the more than 100 people gathered in front of the bandshell for the event last Sunday morning.
Krawczuk, who would go on to win the tomato title, explained that he liked to eat carrots purchased from a produce vendor at the Pittston Tomato Festival.
The contest, which took place under sunny skies with moderate temperatures, seemed the perfect way to begin the final day of the four-day festival — now in its 34th year — that, by any measure, was a success.
Ben Tielle, of the Pittston Tomato Festival Committee, said tha,t in addition to the Little Miss and Little Mister Pittston Tomato contest and the naming of the “sauce wars” winners, Sundays at the festival tend to be about food and music.
Tielle said many Pittston area residents come to the festival following church services to get something to eat and listen to several area bands playing throughout the day.
“We do have a lot of churches nearby,” he said. “And it’s perfect weather.”
Abe and Jen Stone, of Pittston, and daughter Veda, 2½, a Little Miss contestant, were excited about the contest and the chance to spend the day together as a family.
“She just wanted to wear a pretty dress,” Jen Stone said, eyeing her daughter’s sun dressed splashed with summer colors.
The family attends the festival on several days every year.
“It takes a few days just to sample all the food,” Stone said, smiling.
Pam Osley, owner of Allentown-based “Giovanni on the Go,” said the festival is more than just an opportunity to sell food.
“We’ve been coming for 14 years,” she said. “There’s a great spirit of camaraderie here.”
She remembers one vendor who sang while opening up every morning, something the other vendors enjoyed.
Her business, she said, highlights its tomato-based offerings at the festival.
“Brushetta, for example, is a great way to serve tomatoes,” she said.
Osley also enjoys getting to know customers, some of whom she sees every year.
“It amazes me the amount of people that come from all the surrounding cities,” she said.
Rose Fasciana, a member of the tomato festival committee and festival mascot “Stew, is looking forward to next year.
“Its our 35th year and we have some big surprises in store,” said Fasciana, of West Pittston.
Both Tielle and Fasciana are hoping even more people who once called the Greater Pittston Area “home,” will come back for a visit during next year’s festival.
“People do travel to get here,” she said. “I have family that comes from California every year.”
To many attendees, the festival has become a tradition to pass on to the next generation.
Abel Krawczuk’s mother, Samantha Burgio, entered the Little Miss and Mister Tomato Festival when she was young.
“But, I didn’t win,” she said, smiling.
