Every year in the month of June our small east Texas town comes to life and gathers together to celebrate the Tomato by hosting Tomato Fest. Jacksonville is considered by all who live here to be the tomato capital of the world. And while that may be debatable there is no doubt whatsoever we are the home of the World Record Largest Bowl of Salsa. I know because I was there, in charge of the kitchen, for close to 14 hours. That’s how long it takes to chop that many ‘maters and clean up the juice. We made over two thousand pounds of salsa that day.  We were even on national TV.

See, I even have a picture to prove it!

But that is another story.

Today I want to honor the Tomato.

I do this by sharing one of Jacksonville’s most charming features, the painted tomatoes that are scattered around our town. I’m not sure who had the idea first but it caught on quickly and now these darlings can be spotted from the beauty shop to the vet’s office to the hardware store and even down at the bank.

I present to you, Jacksonville Tomatoes!

The Tomato Shed

Jacksonville College, Go Jag’s!

Dairy Queen on Jackson Street. Yes, we have TWO DQ’s here!

Federal Heath Sign Company

I love this Tomato…

It is all covered up!

Twin Oaks Health Center

Astro Johnny

Love’s Lookout

Bacon Auto Country

Harry’s Building Materials

All-Star Auto Body Repair

Bobby’s Tire

Jacksonville Middle School

Fred Douglas School

A Jacksonville Fightin’ Indian!

Love this one, Texas Basket Factory.

Bill McRea Ford

First Choice Realty

Central Baptist Church

Isn’t he cute?

Ha! Mini Me!

Autry Funeral Home

Larry Folden Dentist Office

East Side Bapist has TWO ‘maters

See….

First Methodist Church.

D & L Tooling

This is a personal tomato so I trespassed in someones yard for this picture. Sorry!

Good job Rhonda!

Rotary Club

Mother Frances Hospital

“Like a good neighbor…”

Comfort Inn

Emmy’s Nails

Mexican Food!

Panel Processing (hi guys!)

KT Style Studio

Trinity Assisted Living

Bonner Place

Farm & Ranch Feed (my real job!)

Richards Law Firm

Bill Day Tire

Genesis Health

East Texas Resouces

Austin Bank

Rainbow’s End Beauty Shop

Downtown Store

Downtown Barber Shop

Oncor

Hey downtown froggy!

Another Law Firm

City Hall

City Hall

Naked Tomato

Lucky Duck Travel Service

Gray’s Cleaners

This tomato makes me uncomfortable, I’m not sure why…

Tomato at the Tomato Bowl, football anyone?

Another bowl tomato…

Need some clothes washed?

Angel Tomato…

Go 1963!

Go 1965!

Jacksonville Public Library

Go 1974!

Another State Farm set…

Hit the Spot Designs…

Creative Graphics

Addie’s Favorite because it is purple.

Jacksonville Masons.

Donut Shop downtown!

A quick side note-if you are from Jacksonville and I missed your tomato I am really sorry!  Total accident on my part.  I kinda just got this wild hair and started driving around town with my child in the back seat as a spotter and when we saw a tomato we stopped.  We got out.  We took a picture.  Total randomness.  Well, not total.  We started on the west side of town and made circles inward until I ended up downtown and then I got out and walked.  But you get my point.

And you also now know that I am not a creeper.

Just a sad chicken blogger with a new camera.