Milwaukee's Tomato Romp Festival Among Area's Most Unique

MILWAUKEE, WI -- The 12th Annual Tomato Romp Festival returns to the East Side on Saturday, Sep. 8 in a day of eating, drinking and throwing over-ripe tomatoes.

The East Side’s Rotten Tomato Fight for Hunger is North America’s first Tomatina inspired rotten tomato fight, with all tomato fight proceeds donated to help end hunger in the Milwaukee area.

Organizers are reporting that this year’s goal is to raise $3,000 for the Riverwest Food Pantry. Funds raised by the Rotten Tomato Fight for Hunger will go toward Riverwest Food Pantry’s Healthy Food Fund. These funds try to lessen low-income communities’ reliance on food they know is unhealthy for their family because they cannot afford fresh produce.

“At the Riverwest Food Pantry we’ve made a commitment to our community that we will promote and distribute the healthiest food possible. That’s why we distribute more than 60,000 lbs. (and growing) of fresh produce and a growing portion of the 260,000 lbs. of food our 12,000 shoppers access annually is low sodium, no sugar and whole grain.” said Vincent Noth, Executive Director of the Riverwest Food Pantry in a prepared statement to Patch.

The other half of the day is the Absolut Vodka Bloody Mary Challenge among East North Avenue bars and restaurants. Eight East Side bars and restaurants compete to bring the best Absolut Bloody Mary, paired with a Bauhaus Brewlabs chaser, to the voting community.

The people will choose a winner, as will a group of celebrity judges. The winner of the People’s Choice will be featured as the specialty cocktail at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through the run of the Broadway touring presentation of Something Rotten, which runs from Oct.16-21, 2018.

Challenge ballots can be purchased in advance by visiting www.tomatoromp.com or on Sep. 8 at the registration desk on the corner of North Avenue and Farwell Avenue. A ballot purchase of $25 entitles the "voter" a five-ounce Bloody Mary sample and beer chaser from each of the participating establishments.

Tomato Romp registration begins at 10 a.m., with the Absolut Vodka Bloody Mary Challenge served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at participating East Side Bars.

The Rotten Tomato Fight for Hunger will commence at 4 p.m. at the Tomato Fight location on N. Murray Ave. between E. North Ave. and E. Thomas Ave.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission