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'Mater Mania Tomato Festival Brings SoBo’s to the Table

‘Mater Mania, the annual celebration of locally grown, organic, and heirloom tomatoes, is set for Sunday, August 22 from 3-7 PM at Cedar Hill Marina & Park in Bivalve, Maryland.

This year, SoBo’s Wine Beerstro, of Salisbury, is joining the festivities. Executive Chef Patrick Fanning will use the local tomatoes and locally sourced ingredients to prepare a menu of seasonal dishes for the festival. The final dishes will be determined by which ingredients are at their freshest that weekend, but Cherokee Purple ice cream made with local cream and milk is rumored to be on the menu. Rise Up Coffee, St. Michael’s and Salisbury’s independent coffee shop serving fair trade, organic coffee, will also be on hand.

Popular features from past festivals return, including the tomato tasting table. Here’s a chance to taste tomato varieties never found in grocery stores: Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Green Zebra, Black Prince, Valley Girl, Sophie's Choice, Barne's Mountain Orange and more. Live music, including blues from Slim DeNunn and the High Rollers, a silent auction, local produce sales, and a range of kids’ activities fill out the day’s schedule.

‘Mater Mania benefits the Local Eastern Shore Sustainable Organic Network (LESSON) and the Medora Harvest Fund, which provides fresh, organic vegetables to families in need. The fund honors the memory of Medora Cockey, an organic farming enthusiast who died of autoimmune hepatitis at the age of 24. It is managed by LESSON, a 501(3)c, non-profit organization which promotes sustainable farming practices and a regional food system.

“"We celebrate tomatoes because they underscore the essence of local, sustainable agriculture.

This event brings together our local family farmers, the restaurants committed to serving produce grown in our community and the consumers who simply love 'maters. There's nothing better than an organic Eastern Shore tomato!" says Shawn McEntee, president of LESSON’s board of directors

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Admission to ‘Mater Mania is $20 per person over the age of 12, which includes the SoBo’s foods, and the tomato tasting table. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be sold by RiseUp Coffee in St. Michaels and Salisbury, SoBos in Salisbury, Ocean City Organics in West Ocean City.

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http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=133916519983119&ref=ts