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The poor tomato...so misunderstood. Maligned by the fruit world for it's decidedly vegetable taste and frequent pairing with more savory foods. Yet, outcast from the vegetable world because of a silly technicality - seeds. And why pick on the tomato? When other fruits are equally confused (i.e. cucumber)?

It has oft been said that the tomato is singled out because of it's appearance. Unfortunately, mankind can be so cruel! Just ask John Merrick, who shared a similar plight.

Whatever the reason, the friendly neighborhood of East Nashville has embraced this special cause and worked tirelessly for the past 5 years to elevate the tomato to the status it truly deserves - removing the classifications of fruit or vegetable and instead, immortalizing the misunderstood orbs as ART!

Started as a way to get Nashvillians to a gallery opening in a hot, metal art gallery in August; Art and Invention's Tomato Art Festival has grown exponentially in the past few years. The event now draws crowds of up to 10,000 people to the gallery and surrounding businesses, located in the Five Points area of East Nashville.

The crowds promise to be entertaining, as the event is billed as "Fun, Free and Costume Friendly."

This year's sponsorship art - t-shirts and website - are the popular and extremely talented Nashville artist, Sheila B.

There will also be bushels of entertainment, including:

• The second-line parade
• Children's carnivals,
• Bloody Mary competitions,
• Recipe contests,
• The Tomato King and Queen pageant,
• Music, and more!

The festivities begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 9th - unless you plan to participate in or view the Tomato 5K at 7:30 AM. (I promise to keep the coffee warm for you!)

Stay tuned to the official 2008 Tomato Art Fest website for more details and we hope to see you there!

the bozTEAM is an equal opportunity promoter of the beauty, purity and taste of tomatos. We do not discriminate against any tomatoes no matter what shape, size, color, spelling or seed stock.