History

The Fredericktown Tomato Show was first held in September of 1976, the year that many communities were holding Bicentennial Celebrations.

Board of Directors

The Tomato Show Board of Directors is made up of citizens from the village of Fredericktown as well as the surrounding townships that make up the Fredericktown Local School District. The number of Directors can vary. Directors are elected by the current board members for a term of 3 years.
The Board meets on the first Monday of every month to plan the next Show. There is entertainment to book, new equipment to build, and sponsors and vendors to be contacted year around. Whether it's moving bleachers and picnic tables on the Sunday before the Show, checking in the vendors and exhibits each morning, sweeping the streets each evening, or returning Main street to it's usual condition when the Show is over, the Directors put in a full week of labor surrounding Labor Day. If you are interested in serving on the Board, contact any member or E-mail.

Finances

The Fredericktown Tomato Show functions without any public monies. Operating funds come through sponsors, advertising, sale of T-shirts, a portion of rides tickets and concessions, and of course the annual plate auction. Last year the sale of ten commemorative Fredericktown plates raised over $6,500. Most of this money goes to pay for the entertainment acts which now cost at least $3,500 for an evening's show. The more popular groups are charging closer to $5,000 per show.
Local sponsors provide the prize money for the exhibits, parade, Little Miss Tomato, Lip Sync, and other events. Participants in the 5-Mile run pay an entrance fee as do exhibitors at the Arts and Crafts Show. There are also operating expenses such as liability insurance, electricity, added security personnel, and membership in the Ohio Fair Managers Association.

Volunteers

The Fredericktown Tomato Show would never take place without the hard work of many volunteers. There is always a place for you to share your interests and talents. You will find community members helping to set up the Show, checking in and supervising the exhibits. They serve as judges, work in the Hospitality tent, and drive the shuttle to the parking lots. The Lions Club members help direct traffic at the parade staging ground on Saturday. Fredericktown's two garden clubs are instrumental to the flower exhibits. Students help out during the parade serving as banner carriers and clean-up crews behind the horses.
If you would like to give some time and have a particular interest, see the Director in Charge of that event or contact any Board member.

Plate Auction

Each year the Board of Directors selects a piece of hometown history to feature on the ten limited edition plates. These plates are auctioned off on Saturday evening with the proceeds used to help maintain the Fredericktown Tomato Show. This event is so successful because of the generosity of our community members who buy the plates, last year for a combined amount of over $6,500. Local auctioneers donate their time and talent to make the evening entertaining as well as profitable.
The 2007 plate will feature the FREDERICKTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.

T-Shirt and Program Design

Every spring the Tomato Show Board holds contests to design the logos that will appear on T-shirts and the program booklet. The winners are chosen for the best representation of the Tomato Show theme.

The T-shirt contest is open to the public and attracts entries from artists of all ages through senior citizens. The winner receives a T-shirt and $50 Savings Bond.
The students in the Fredericktown High School art department compete for the program cover design. Each of the top three artists receives a trophy and the winner also gets a $50 savings bond.

T-shirts displaying the winnng design are avaiable for sale now at the Fredericktown Library and Village True Value. They can also be purchased at the Hospitality tent during the Tomato Show.

Sponsors

The Fredericktown Tomato Show is grateful to the sponsors, local businesses, who provide operating money and cash prizes. If you would like to become a sponsor, contact the Tomato Show.

Benefitting the Community

Obviously the Tomato Show provides the community with family fun throughout the four days of the Show. It also gives the citizens a place to display their talents, be it in photograhy, baking, music, or other areas, as well as the chance to meet up with old friends you may not see very often. However, the Tomato Show gives back to the community in other ways. Its money has purchased bleachers that are normally located at community ball fields. The Tomato Show stage and portable speaker system have been used by other organizations, and the timer clock for the 5-mile run is shared with Fredericktown Schools.