Leamington has coined the phrase “Tomato Capital” for many years.  Tomatoes are Leamington's largest greenhouse vegetable crop, supplying supermarkets across North America.  Leamington has the largest number of commercial greenhouses in all of North America.  Our local Heinz uses field tomatoes grown by farmers in local Essex and Kent counties.

Long ago, H.J. Heinz held a picnic every year in celebration of its company and the tomato harvest.  When Heinz decided to cancel the annual picnic, private individuals sought out a new idea to celebrate the unique Leamington culture.  The Leamington Tomato Festival was rejuvenated.

Twenty-Five years later, the Tomato Festival still holds its strong identity within the community and all over Southwestern Ontario.  It is a time where the town and community unite, as a whole, to prosper and have fun together.  The numerous venues, pageant, parade, tomato stomp, golf tournament and other competitions still spark excitement within the town and will continue to create lasting memories.  The Tomato Festival is a time when we enjoy the simple pleasures in life, so let us be proud and celebrate our 25th Anniversary, and hope for many more years to come!