Hwacheon Tomato Festival 2013 will celebrate the mountainous county’s most well-known produce at Sanae-myeon, in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do from August 2-4.

Commemorating its 11th year, the festival will offer a range of hands-on programs centered around Hwacheon tomatoes*. Some of the programs include a Korean wrestling contest in tomato pool, a tomato slide, tomato football field, tomato facial mask pack, huge pile of tomatoes, and tomato eating contest.

Outside of the hands-on tomato activities, there will be a variety of performances including Korean traditional music, a military marching band parade, dance and magic show, and a fireworks show. Admission to the festival is free of charge.

*Hwacheon tomatoes?
These special tomatoes are raised in mountainous areas in Gangwon-do, which has a wide temperature range. The changing temperatures make the tomatoes extra firm and nutritious.