EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was contributed to Knox Pages by Chris Well.
FREDERICKTOWN — They said it wouldn’t last, yet this year marks the 48th Fredericktown Tomato Show.
Starting with only $90 and a contract for amusement rides, 1977 was the start of the now annual street fair.
Many wonder why it’s called the Tomato Show. The answer lies with the man behind the plan.
Organizer Jim Shipley didn’t want the show to be just a street fair but wanted a “hook” of some kind. Because tomatoes were in season, in the fall, the tomato was chosen for the honor.
Why wait till school starts? The fall dates were the only ones that the ride company had available.
That first year was full of meetings, writing a constitution, securing equipment and borrowing bleachers. The Board of Directors knew what was at stake and everyone worked together for a positive outcome.
The purpose of the Fredericktown Tomato Show was to promote and encourage agriculture, horticulture, plus promote general community betterment,
Another reason for continuing the Tomato Show after the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration was to give local clubs, individuals, businesses and groups an opportunity to make some money for their bank accounts.
Remember the Mothers’ Club’s lemonade stand? Some groups made enough to sustain their activities for the entire year.
One side of the street housed our local concessions while the ride company had the other side of the street.
Speaking of ride companies, we’ve had some doozies. Some people complain about recent companies but all the small companies have been bought out by the bigger companies so we have less to choose from.
Actually, they call the shots these days.
Years ago, Jim Shipley said one day we would be paying the ride companies instead of them giving us a small percentage of their profit.
Don’t forget that on Friday, Sept. 6, school will be dismissed for staff development. That means a half-day of rides for a reduced price.
One year, the ride company set up the tilt-a-whirl on the street, in front of the Historical Museum (previously the library and Methodist Church). When they started up the ride for a test run, the tilt-a-whirl’s arms hit the sign.
The ride company employees solved the problem. They just took a chainsaw and cut the sign down.
There are so many memories from the 47 years. There have been many changes, too.
You may remember the stein toss (stone throw), tractor pulls on the dirt track that was laid out in front of the grain elevator, 4-wheeler events out at Sockman Park.
Also, there was the pizza-eating contest and pet show.
Remember when the stage was on the old parking lot? There was the tobacco-spitting contests and lip sync.
Using borrowed pens, animals were housed on the parking lot on the square. Then there was the year of Covid.
The Board worked so hard all year to find ways to hold the Show then we were told our plans wouldn’t be accepted.
The Fredericktown Tomato Show has seen many changes over the years but the heart of it still remains.
The all-volunteer Board works from the day after the Show to evaluate and make changes for the next year.
This year will be a challenge, as we deal with our new Main Street, just like everyone else.
One thing for certain is that the Fredericktown Tomato Show is here to stay.
See you Sept. 4 to 7.