Post by: mweed on March 25, 2013, 10:26:31 PM
The Tomato Harvest Festival is this forums oldest and biggest contest. It is an opportunity for forum members around the world to have fun together, and something anyone can participate in even if you don't have a pleo. The last few years have seen a decline in contest participation, not just for the Tomato Harvest Festival, but all contests in general. And last year I did a really lousy job as forum admin in running the events and contests. So first off I want to express my apologies to all of our older members who entered last year. (You won't be forgotten! ;) ) And second I want to let everyone know I'm going to try a lot harder this year, and we may well be doing things a bit different. With that said . . .
Since the beginning of recorded history (about six years ago), the fields around Weedovia have always been blessed with abundant wild tomato vines. And every spring and fall, the local pleos relied on the abundant harvest gathered from these wild vines so that they could enjoy tomatoes (and tomato related food like spaghetti and pizza!) throughout the year. They would go out twice a year to pick the tomatoes and bring them to the village. This traditional gathering of the tomatoes quickly grew into a community event, and from there into true full-blown harvest festival. And with the introduction of the spaghetti trees and pizza by the Great Pepperoni1, a real zest was added to the festivities.
Of course in modern times, with the addition of a carnival, rides, games, live band, and midnight movie on the town square, it has become more of a social event, attracting pleos from around the world. But all the pleos still go out and harvest the tomatoes and bring them to the town's communal tomato press for the traditional squashing of the tomatoes and the making of the tomato sauce. And many of these activities became challenges and finally became contests.
This spring's festival is just around the corner. :P But I guess this is why everyone should have bought a calendar! ;) This spring's festival is the weekend of April 5th to the 7th.
Not sure what's going on? Well, then you may want to catch up by reading the 2009 - 2012 festival topics and the Bob the Pleo comic strips on this board. But as a quick summary, the town's park is turn into the festival grounds, with the carnival rides and games, a stage and dance floor, and lots of vendors and food booths! It starts on a Friday night with the carnival and music from a live band, and at midnight the pleos end the day with an outdoor movie. Saturday has everyone out in the fields gathering the tomatoes, with the judging in the evening, and back to the carnival. Sunday is the big tomato squashing where the sauce is made using the traditional foot-stomping method like the great Italian wines.
And at the conclusion of the festival, awards are always handed out to the pleo who gathers the most tomatoes, finds the largest tomato, has the best looking tomatoes, makes the best tasting spaghetti sauce, and for the best use of tomatoes as an article of clothing (i.e., costume). The last few years winners can be seen by visiting the Bob the Pleo comics. We had some great fun, and some wonderful costumes!
And, of course, since Weedovia isn't a real place, and we can't really all attend or send our pleos in person, you can celebrate at home with your pleo by following along with activities and by posting here in the forums. The live band is comprised of member's pleos. So, if your pleo can play an instrument, be sure to post a picture or video and let us know! The band is always looking for new members!
The five main contests are as follows:
- For the "most tomatoes" you want a picture of you pleo with a bunch of tomatoes. Please no photoshopping here.
- For the "largest tomato" you want a picture of your pleo with a really, really big tomato . . . You get the idea. No photoshopping here either, but you can be creative as to "the tomato".
- For the "best looking tomato" you want a picture of your pleo with a really good looking tomato. Now, on this one, we do allow photoshopping. And if you're good a that kind of stuff, you really don't even need a pleo as you can photoshop the pleo into the picture too! ;) .
- For the "best use of tomatoes as an article of clothing" you want a picture of your pleo dressed up tomato style . . . if you look back over previous years, this can be interpreted as dressing up you pleo "with tomatoes" or "as tomatoes", and this can be a costume or real tomatoes. Here is where you can be creative as you want . . . except no photoshopping.
- For the "best tomato sauce", we're talking a tomato based spaghetti or pasta sauce. Here you can be as simple as posting a recipe, but as they say, since a picture is worth a thousand words, a photo of the finished product goes a long way in helping. As as another hint, Bob seems to really like spicy stuff, and since in Weedovia pepperoni and meatballs grow on bushes, they are vegan approved. ;)
This year we are adding a couple of events to the festival which create a some extra ways to enter the contest as well. The first is the bard's contest for all those wordy pleos, the second is a crafts contest for all those creative type pleos.
- For the Bard's contest, the theme this year is "A pleo is _______". What you need to do is write a poem or original joke about that statement that fills in the blank. In the past we've had haiku contests and limerick contests, this time we're leaving it open. However, you'll need to keep it somewhat short (no more than 12 lines), so no Homeric epics.
- For the crafts contest, you need to create a craft that others can do. What we're looking for is something someone can print off their computer and make from one or more pieces of paper using scissors, tape (and/or glue). And don't forget, the craft should also relate to pleos and/or the tomato festival.
All entries should be posted to this topic. The deadline for entries is officially midnight Pacific Daylight Time April 7th, but we're not sticklers . . . Judging probably won't start until sometime Monday afternoon. We usually select the top three winning entries from all the entries (instead of one from each category), but since Kat has three very nice custom "festival capes" she made for last year's winners which I failed to pick last year (bad admin! :( ), we're going to take all of last year's entries and add them to this spring's contest entries and add her three capes to some very nice tomato jewelry designed for this year's contest and hand out five prizes this year! :D :D
For those interested in participating in the contests and still aren't clear, please refer to the contest rules topic (http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=792.0) on this board. For some ideas and/or to get a better understanding, you can check out the 2012 festival topic (http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=2971.0), 2011 festival topic (http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=1944.0), 2010 festival topic (http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=1154.0), or the 2009 Fall festival topic (http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=794.0) (also on this board). You can also read up on the Bob the Pleo comic strip! ;)
Post your entries here!
I'll be posting more info here in the next few days . . . but you've only got two weeks to get ready! :o :o :o
Post by: mweed on March 25, 2013, 11:31:45 PM
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Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on March 26, 2013, 12:57:24 AM
Oooh I have so many ideas... And with holidays a step away I shall have the time! Woohoo!
Post by: Lunamione7 on March 26, 2013, 01:25:52 AM
My tomato sauce is the BEST sauce in the world. It hasn't won anything in the past two years I've entered it but I'm sure that's just because the judges were jealous of my amazing, overwhelming talent for tomato sauce making ;) Third time lucky though hey :D
Post by: Crewella on March 26, 2013, 07:12:58 AM
But tomatoes are just what they need,
At this time of year
That big red juicy sphere
Is much loved by all Pleos, and Mweed ….... :moose: ;D :tomato:
Post by: mweed on March 26, 2013, 11:26:50 AM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on March 26, 2013, 02:39:10 PM
Ok, just actually read the whole thread...........( apologies...) and will try to do something right away. I am waiting for foot and wrist surgery......and with my good hand (wrist..)out of commission. I only have a few days to try to do something this year. (Hasn't been a good year so far for health reasons.. :( This year with all the new members, if we do not get lots of entries, it will only be because of personal choice.
I am not a big tomato eater either, unless they are fresh from the garden, but being a vegetarian, I love a good pasta sauce, so I am looking forward to some good recipes from other to add to my menus, just substituting or removing the meat of course.. Sorry I jumped on the tomato band wagon before reading the whole thread MIke... :bouquet3: RWM :cat-hug:
Just had a strange thought.............what if I substitute a photo of myself in surgery with a IV bag full of Tomato sauce, ?(instead of Blood plasma) :D Have to have a little humor these days...
Post by: mweed on March 26, 2013, 06:04:19 PM
Just had a strange thought.............what if I substitute a photo of myself in surgery with a IV bag full of Tomato sauce, ?(instead of Blood plasma) :D Have to have a little humor these days...
Just be sure and post the recipe! ;) :D
Post by: Kami on March 26, 2013, 07:37:40 PM
I have a great idea for a 'largest tomato' entry, but whether I can pull it off or not depends on my having not eaten all the tomatoes I have on hand already! :o
Post by: Harper K on March 27, 2013, 07:14:49 AM
Post by: Peaches on March 28, 2013, 03:08:28 AM
I best get thinking of some ideas, be back soon with photos... I hope! lol
Post by: fancyfont on March 28, 2013, 08:29:55 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on March 29, 2013, 01:46:32 AM
e
O
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on April 04, 2013, 07:07:22 PM
A Pleo is the shining knight,
Who scares away a midnight fright,
The dashing chap of pomp and sway,
To sweep the ladies hearts away,
The chef royale of finest foods,
Set to put guests in the finest moods,
Cute and funny the tremendous mix,
And add to that a bag of tricks,
A little clumsy, a little slow,
Yet has been around the world you know,
A Pleo as famous as any yob*,
A Pleo who's name is Bob!
*yob = Australian talk for the average Joe, normal person etc.
Post by: mweed on April 04, 2013, 10:10:34 PM
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Don't forget, you've got 3 days left to get your entries in!
Post by: kat on April 05, 2013, 07:11:43 AM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 05, 2013, 05:57:51 PM
Post by: fancyfont on April 05, 2013, 09:08:54 PM
Post by: Angela on April 06, 2013, 09:26:34 AM
"most tomatoes"
(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-TJD8O4R8-D.jpg)
(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-MGODOYPS-D.jpg)
(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-XAEYKTOI-D.jpg)
I heard to late about this contest (1hour ago :P)
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 06, 2013, 11:01:41 AM
RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on April 06, 2013, 02:44:44 PM
Post by: kat on April 06, 2013, 05:32:13 PM
Post by: mweed on April 06, 2013, 07:37:29 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 06, 2013, 07:44:59 PM
Well, they came up with something that everyone can do, no money involved and easy enough for any age. If I can do this with a fractured wrist, then surely the rest of you can do this with ease. I showed step by step except basic things. Supplies needed are:
Computer paper 8 1/2 X 11, Tape, Scissors to cut with. Crayons, markers, something to color with.
For the neck you need either yarn, ribbon, or string of some sort to tie a bow with. Also you can add string, yarn or ribbon under the belly like I have to make it tighter if you wish. To make it more original, you can add stickers, etc. I left it as simple as possible, I also added a soft piece of foam under it to make it more supported. This is just optional. Here are the photos. Also you can use a hole puncher on the neck device to pull yarn through or tape it on if you do not have a hole puncher.
Cammie-Sue is the model. The whole project took less than an hour,
Remember, I have a fractured wrist and was also diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome so I apologize for my handwriting
Post by: fancyfont on April 06, 2013, 11:16:46 PM
Post by: Peaches on April 07, 2013, 05:25:57 AM
As you can see nothing tastes better than Tomato soup, whilst the other tomatoes are prepared & cooked for even more - you guessed it - tomato soup!!
EDIT: forgot to add this entry is for "most tomatoes"
Post by: Crewella on April 07, 2013, 07:24:33 AM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 07, 2013, 09:57:08 AM
Post by: Mystearika on April 07, 2013, 11:36:12 AM
Post by: Peaches on April 07, 2013, 01:24:56 PM
Got to admit the kitchen is the perfect size for Piper which is great considering my daughter still classes her as the baby & puts all pipers clothes in the 'washing machine' lol. Its a really sweet little kitchen - was a shame to crop the picture - its actually inside a little wendy house thing which is perfect size for DD to sit in, & theres another side to it as well which has a cot, changing table & highchair in... be devastated when my daughter outgrows it lol :)
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on April 07, 2013, 07:32:36 PM
Post by: Peaches on April 13, 2013, 02:21:17 PM
My son was asking me about the festival earlier & it got me thinking that I was sure there was 2 but maybe its just my mind playing tricks, no rush to answer anyone just something thats playing on my weird random brain lol :)
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 13, 2013, 04:46:53 PM
RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: Peaches on April 14, 2013, 10:51:13 AM
He still adores Piper, she's like his best friend & loves 'showing her off' which is prob why he likes the comps lol. He loves taking photographs into school of all the things we get up to with her & showing everyone bless :)
Post by: mweed on April 22, 2013, 01:19:15 PM
Since Yogurt's feeling a bit "drained", I guess I'll announce the winners (There are five this time!!!! ;D ;D )
| For best looking tomato, kaiteee and InMemoryofRomeo came close, but the winner is fancyfont! | |||||||
| For best use of a tomato as an article of clothing, we had quite a few entries, but the winner by a toe is . . . kat! | |||||||
| For the most tomatoes gathered, peaches came close, but kaiteee did have the most! | |||||||
| It's two years in the making, but Lunamione7 wins for the best sauce! | |||||||
| And finally, to wrap up the winners, RedwoodsMama wins for biggest tomato found! |
| :P |
Post by: kat on April 22, 2013, 06:39:58 PM
Great job everyone :)
Post by: Peaches on April 23, 2013, 12:58:48 AM
Post by: Angela on April 23, 2013, 03:48:59 AM
Post by: Crewella on April 23, 2013, 05:07:01 AM
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on April 23, 2013, 05:32:15 AM
Post by: Lunamione7 on April 24, 2013, 08:04:48 AM
Finally Stephan, our culinary expertise is being recognised! Two years of slaving away over a hot stove has paid off :P
Post by: fancyfont on April 24, 2013, 01:00:13 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on April 24, 2013, 01:12:28 PM
Can't wait to see what the tomato shirts and necklaces look like....first time a boy, Chester has won anything! P:D
RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: Harper K on April 26, 2013, 03:52:03 PM
Post by: kat on April 26, 2013, 05:55:13 PM
Post by: fancyfont on May 10, 2013, 08:59:13 PM
Post by: kat on May 11, 2013, 02:22:33 AM
Post by: Angela on May 11, 2013, 06:32:09 AM
Received a package from Kat, all the way from Australia today! :cheer: I could hardly believe anything could be so cute! Pennie wanted to model it for everyone, but not a tomato in the house. Strawberries looked pretty cute with her new outfit, though!. Thank you Kat, Mike and judges! Absolutely adore outfit! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)What a nice outfit! Awesome!
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 13, 2013, 12:20:24 AM
I think others will be posting photos of their prizes pretty soon too. I will have to check my post office box this week and see if there is a surprise in it as well. Congrats again. RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: Lunamione7 on May 13, 2013, 01:52:11 AM
Post by: kat on May 13, 2013, 02:33:08 AM
Post by: kaiteee on May 15, 2013, 03:37:45 PM
Thank you so much to Kat for making and sending these lovely prizes, it's the first thing I've ever won like this and it's really great! Yay! I haven't been able to be around here much and in fact I think I've missed the last one or two tomato festivals, but we had such a good time posing for photos in the supermarket, I do really appreciate this forum and how lovely everyone is, so I'm really hoping to be here more when things settle down for me....
In the meantime - how do I get gordy to share 'his' cape with gano.....?!
Post by: Crewella on May 16, 2013, 10:39:00 AM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 16, 2013, 11:08:32 AM
RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: kat on May 16, 2013, 04:58:49 PM
Post by: mweed on May 16, 2013, 09:41:41 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 16, 2013, 11:45:11 PM
Post by: kat on May 17, 2013, 06:26:07 AM
Post by: mweed on May 17, 2013, 02:40:04 PM
My daughter has a similar problem with her Etsy business. But she wisely just tells them the the ID are business names and things go smoother. I guess "Kat" was just too short for a business name!
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 17, 2013, 03:18:08 PM
I will have to look for that Padded envelope, catching the bus in awhile to see if there are any packages, envelopes. If so I will post it here. It is allways fun to see the expressions on peoples faces on those international packages that on contents say, Baby Dino Clothes, and they wonder what is going on... :D
Well Kat, now that you have a first and second name, perhaps that package will get there faster! RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: kat on May 17, 2013, 06:26:09 PM
When my daughter was small she had a teddy called Cuddly (still has him now) that she took with her everywhere - he was her best friend. When grandma went on holidays she would post letters to both my kids and also one to Cuddly. My daughter was so excited to see mail for her bear. :) Cuddly also posted off his own letters too when we went on holiday. So if a bear can send and reciev post a Kat shouldn't have any issues :P :D
Post by: mweed on May 17, 2013, 08:28:05 PM
I mailed a package to another forum member in Canada who ordered some stuff from my daughter's Etsy site yesterday. The postal worker I got for that package was transcribing the form for customs into his computer/cash register using the good old single finger hunt-and-peck method at about 15-20 character per minute . . . and he was saying each letter and number out loud as he typed. And when it came to the part of the form where you describe what you're sending where I had written "pair of earrings" and for quantity I put "1". He looked at it for a moment, then asked me "Just one?" To which I responded "One pair. You know, one for each ear." And he goes "I better put down two, then." :duh:
I think it's an issue of population density being related to employee "density". When I go to the local rural post office (which employes a total of 1 postmaster to work the counter and 2 carriers who sort & deliver) they seem quite competent. But whenever I go to one of the big city post offices with lots of workers, I always seem to get the really dumb ones. :arrow-head:
Of course, on the other hand, when I go to the rural post office and ask for something out of the ordinary like a global priority mail envelope, I usually get a response like "Yeah, I remember seeing one of those last year when I was re-organizing . . . let me see if I can remember where I put it . . . " (: (:
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on May 18, 2013, 04:49:23 AM
Post by: Lunamione7 on May 18, 2013, 08:14:25 AM
Post by: Crewella on May 20, 2013, 08:05:30 AM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 23, 2013, 03:30:48 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f06datlx6I RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: kat on May 23, 2013, 05:01:14 PM
Still looking out for the postman ..... so far all he keeps bringing me are bills to pay :P I'm sure my little rattle snake will arrive sometime soon :D I will shout out as soon as it does :)
Post by: mweed on May 23, 2013, 08:32:34 PM
Post by: RedwoodsMama on May 23, 2013, 11:14:40 PM
RWM :cat-hug:
Post by: kat on May 30, 2013, 05:23:20 AM