NEW ORLEANS – The French Market in partnership with Crescent City Farmers Market kicks off a month-long celebration of the beloved Creole tomato with a #ripeandready30 social media campaign and party on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Everyone who grows or cooks with Creole tomatoes, anyone anticipating the Creole tomato season and all lovers of the Creole tomato, can participate by tagging photos of their own homegrown tomatoes, photos of eating or preparing tomato dishes or enjoying a Creole tomato dish at a local restaurant with #RipeandReady30. The French Market will be sharing their favorites and awarding festival related prizes randomly throughout the 30 days.
The launch of the campaign is on May 11 because that marks exactly one month out from the first day of the 30th annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival, which takes place June 11 and 12.
This “RipeandReady30” fest preview party will feature entertainment by regular French Market farmers market presenter and festival partner Eric “Doc Griggs,” who will be talking about the health benefits of tomatoes while presenting ways to keep moving even in the heat of summertime, when Creole tomato season is at its height.
The party starts at 1:00 p.m. with a #RipeandReady30 second line led by Free Agents Brass Band, from Washington Artillery Park, overlooking Jackson Square, to end at the French Market Farmers Market at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Local tour guide and regular presenter at the French Market’s “Making a Jazz Gumbo” series, Dianne “Gumbomarie” Honoré will present a cooking demonstration at 2:30 p.m. and local musician and regular farmers market performer Spider Murphy will provide musical accompaniment to the day from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
At the regularly scheduled weekly Wednesday Crescent City Farmers Market, vendor Paul Kennedy will have Creole tomato plant starts for customers to grown their own delicious Creoles.
The #RipeandReady30 Party at the Crescent City Farmers Market schedule includes:
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Crescent City Farmers Market at the French Market
1:00 p.m. – Doc Griggs and Free Agents Brass Band lead a #RipeandReady30 second line from Washington Artillery Park (next to Café du Monde, across from Jackson Square) through the French Market District along the Decatur Street Colonnade, to the Farmers Market
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Spider Murphy performs acoustic guitar music
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. – Doc Griggs healthy tomato & fitness fun presentation
2:30 p.m. – Dianne “GumboMarie” Honoré cooking demonstration
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Crescent City Farmers Market continues the celebration with live music from Spider Murphy, fresh tomato starts for sale and a bounty of fresh, local food
