FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown Tomato Show started nearly a century ago as a way to promote the role agriculture played in the community.
It evolved into a street fair that features kids games, judging of tomato products, live entertainment and a parade.
This year’s show is more than a harvest celebration. It is an act of remembrance, honoring the farmers, families, and traditions that the community holds dear.
The 2026 parade picks up on that theme.
“The theme — Freedom, Unity, Remembrance — embraces the fact that we are celebrating America’s 250th birthday. On Friday of the Tomato Show, we will remember those who lost their lives 25 years ago on 9/11,” Tomato Show Board member Cale Grubb said.
“The Tomato Show Board wanted to honor our local first responders for all they do by making Fredericktown police officers, Fredericktown firefighters, and Fredericktown EMTs our parade marshals for this year’s parade.”
Annual plate auction features the Porkettes
A long-time staple at the Tomato Show is the Porkettes. The board will feature the Porketts “barn” on the plates for the annual auction.
“Their first time serving those yummy sausage sandwiches was at the first Tomato Show in 1976,” Grubb said.
“With many of the local farmers at the time being a huge part to get it going, and with how the Pork Council has given back to the county, we felt they needed to be honored.”
Grubb said proceeds from the plate auction go back into next year’s tomato show for upgrades and improvements.
This year’s auctions features a unique twist for Plate #1. The board will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from that plate to the Chris Fearn Well Scholarship.
“Chris was the only active member still on the board from the original Tomato Show in 1976. We lost Chris this year after her battle with cancer,” Grubb said.
“Chris was an amazing lady serving on the Tomato Show Board and supporting the Fredericktown Community.”
The annual Tomato Show features a variety of live entertainment, including Cornerstone Community Church Praise Team, Jamee Hershberger, comedian/magician Michael Mage, Step Brothers, the Zack Attack band and Red Ball Jets.
Following is this year’s schedule:
Wednesday, Sept. 9
2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Enter Fresh Vegetables, Canned Goods, Baked Goods, Tomato’s & Tomato Products – Tent at Main St & College St
Enter Flowers at Masonic Lodge
Enter Photography at Mayor’s Office building
(Fredericktown School District residents only)
5:00 p.m. Register for Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 4- & 5-year-olds – Main Stage Area
5:30 p.m. Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 4- & 5-year-olds – Main Stage Area
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Main Street Free Press Museum – Tours and Demonstration
6:15 p.m. Judging of Baked Goods, Canned Goods and Tomato Products
6:15 p.m. OFFICIAL OPENING with the Fredericktown Marching Scarlet and Grey – Main Stage Area
7:00 p.m. Little Miss Tomato Contest (6-year-olds) – Main Stage
7:30 p.m. Kids’ prize drawing – Hospitality Tent
7:30 p.m. Musical Entertainment by Cornerstone Community Church Praise Team – Gazebo
9:00 p.m. Cash Drawing – Hospitality Tent
Thursday, Sept. 10
1:00 p.m. Judging of Vegetables & Tomato Classes
5:00 p.m. Register for Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 6 and 7 year olds – Main Stage Area
5:30 p.m. Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 6 and 7 year olds – Main Stage Area
6:00 p.m. Register for Kid’s and Critters Parade – Parking Lot on Square
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Royal Princess Party – Main Stage and Square
6:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Main Street Free Press Museum – Tours and Demonstration
6:15 p.m. Judging for Kids’ and Critters’ Parade – Parking Lot on square
6:30 p.m. Kids’ and Critters’ Parade – Starting at Parking Lot on the Square then down Main Street to the Main Stage area – OPEN TO THE WORLD!!
6:30 p.m. Michael Mage Comedian / Magician – Main Stage
7:30p.m. Jamee Hershberger – Gazebo
7:30 p.m. Kids’ Prize Drawing – Hospitality Tent
9:00 p.m. Cash Drawing – Hospitality Tent
Friday, Sept. 11
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles Sale – Square & Gazebo Area
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Face Painting – Free for Kids – Gazebo
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment by Step Brothers – Main Stage
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Photo Booth – Square parking lot
3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Traveling Acres Petting Zoo – Square parking lot
5:00 p.m. Register for Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 8 & 9 year olds – Main Stage Area
5:30 p.m. Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull – 8 & 9 year olds – Main Stage Area
5:30 p.m. Register for Baby Crawl – in front of Park National Bank
6:00 p.m. Baby Crawling Contest – Main Stage Area
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Main Street Free Press Museum – Tours and Demonstration
7:30 p.m. Kids’ Prize drawing – Hospitality Tent
8:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment: Zack Attack – Main Stage
10:00 p.m. Cash Drawing – Hospitality Tent
Saturday, Sept. 12
7:30 a.m. Register for 5K Run – Fredericktown School Board Office
9:00 a.m. 5K Run – Fredericktown School Board Office Area – 117 Columbus Road
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles sale on the square
12:30 p.m. Fredericktown Chevrolet’s Parade – “FREEDOM. UNITY. REMEMBRANCE.”
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Register for the Corn hole Toss – Gazebo
2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Main Street Free Press Museum – Tours and Demonstration
3:00 p.m. Corn hole Toss – Parking Lot on the Square
3:00 p.m. Register for Pedal Tractor Pull – 10-12 year olds – Main Stage Area
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pick up prize money at the Tomato Show Office – West College Street
3:30 p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull – 10 – 12 year olds – Main Stage Area
4:00 p.m. Exhibits Close
4:00 p.m. Register for Big Wheel Races – front of The Shoppe on Main
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pick up Baked Goods, Canned Goods, Flowers, Tomatoes, Tomato Products, Fresh Vegetables, and Photography
4:30 p.m. Big Wheel Races – front of old feed mill
5:00 p.m. Register for Bathtub Races – front of The Shoppe on Main
5:30 p.m. Bathtub Races – front of old feed mill
7:30 p.m. Limited Edition Plate Auction – Main Stage Area
7:30 p.m. Kids’ Prize Drawing – Hospitality Tent
8:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment by Red Ball Jets – Main Stage
8:00 p.m. Cash Drawing – Hospitality Tent
10:00 p.m. Cash Drawing – Hospitality Tent
