JACKSON, S.C. — After just one hour, Boondock Farms’ Tomato Pie Festival July 9 sold out of tomato pies, and its organizer declared it was a success.
“We just had such a huge turn-out. We’ve never had that many people in the store,” said Laura Russo, co-owner of Boondock Farms in Jackson, S.C. “Next year I’m going to make like 500 pies.”
Some people aren’t familiar with the concept of a tomato pie, but Russo likened it to another non-dessert pie.
It has “all the same flavor profiles as your favorite pizza,” she said.
Russo’s Boondock Farms’ tomato pies were made fresh-grown tomatoes, local basil, some onions, a hint of garlic, pie crust and smothered with cheese.
“You cannot get any fresher than that,” she said. “It’s incredible. No one doesn’t like tomato pie.”
Russo wanted to not only promote the farm’s tomato pie, which she’s been making the past several weeks due to a surplus in tomato plants, but she also wants to teach people more about local produce.
She said it is important to highlight local businesses, especially local produce. She hopes that visitors were able to meet people from surrounding communities in order to build a relationship and rapport with local farmers.
“So, if there’s a shortage of vegetables on the shelf at the grocery store, you can get it right now down the street from [someone]. You can get onions from your neighbor. You can get your food locally and fresher,” she said.
The festival featured several local businesses and organizations from Green Pond Baptist Church, who hosted a prayer booth, to local authors, artists and musicians promoting their work. Products included various items like baby clothes, candles, jewelry, pens, cutting boards, honey, jams, plants, food and even tomato soap.
The festival also featured a water mister and inflatable water slide area for attending children to enjoy while parents relaxed and enjoyed live music nearby. Many participants also brought their pets to enjoy the nice outdoor weather.
“I think (this) is getting people back together since COVID, and it promotes small businesses too because people are selling stuff. It helps get their name out there,” said Renee Smith who attended the event with her husband, Chris Smith.
Participating vendors, Jennifer Rushing and Jonathan DeGumbia, said it was an amazing turnout and that their favorite part of the festival was the live music and featured art. Rushing said art and music is beneficial for everyone to get exposure to, while DeGumbia said he thinks it is important to give people an opportunity to enjoy themselves together.
“I think the community benefits from the festival because a lot of them are here selling stuff, having a booth, talking with the community,’ said Russo. “There’s artists, farmers, vendors, crafts, and they can come here to engage with the community and their neighbors while making sales. Just enjoy a day out on the farm while making connections with people.”
Local participant Laura Davis said her husband came to the festival to perform and thinks it is a great way to promote local spending. Meanwhile, nearby community authors, Candace J. Carter, Arthur Turfa, Steve Gordy, and M.B. Gibson said they loved being able to meet fans and talk with fellow readers.
Carter said she even sold out of books during the first two hours of the festival.
“It brings people together and that’s what we’re missing right now – people aren’t getting together anymore – and it helps the community to grow. I enjoy seeing people, I like to see their faces when they see [my product],” said vendor, Ronda Doucette, owner of Giggle Bean Boutique.
Vendors shared that it was easy to get involved with the festival through signing up on Facebook and several would love to come back in the near future.
Russo said she hopes to host the festival annually and may even have one before summer’s end.
For more information on Boondock Farms or possible future Tomato Pie Festivals, go to boondockfarms.com
Liz Wright is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
