The heat has had the city feeling like summer long before the solstice, but it always feels more official when local arts and music festivals become somewhat of a regular thing. The always popular Tomato Art Festival makes its 11th return to East Nashville’s Five Points August 8-9. The uniter, not divider, fruit/vegetable fest boasts a large lineup of musical acts, food trucks, contests including a Bloody Mary Competition (arguably the best use of tomato juice) and a Faux Paw fashion show for pets, as well as a costume-encouraged parade for all.
The unique art festival was founded by Meg and Bret MacFadyen, owners of East Nashville’s Art and Invention Gallery, who utilized the gallery to showcase and celebrate the tomato and planned neighborhood events in late summer. A decade later, the annual festival has been hailed by locals and visitors alike as “Best Festival” in Nashville Scene reader’s polls and has grown in size thanks to the supportive community contributing to the 220+ vendors. This year, the free fest added another night of music on Friday in addition to the 10AM-10PM music marathon on Saturday. Check out the newly announced lineup below and get ready for a truly tomato time.
First Tennessee Main Stage ::: Friday, August 8th (7PM-11PM)
Buffalo Rodeo
Majestico
Chancellor Warhol
First Tennessee Main Stage ::: Saturday, August 9th (10AM-10PM)
Half Brass Band
The Beech Benders
The Kimberly Wolff Band
Jeffrey James
Andrew Leahey and the Homestead
Stephen Salyers
Fanny’s House of Music–Youth Artists
Gardening, Not Architecture
Marquee Mayfield
Kink Ador
ELEL
Edley’s Stage ::: Saturday, August 9th (10AM-10PM)
Justin Lee Darling
Cumberland Blue
The Enablers
Churchyard
The Two Tones
Release the Kid
The Decadence
The Cunning
Richard DuBois
Lockeland Springsteen 