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Ruskin Tomato Queen Contest Back To Basics

Tribune file photo by LOIS KINDLE

Lauren Butts, 18, a senior at Durant High School, was named the 2008 Tomato Queen at last year's Ruskin Tomato Queen Pageant. This year's contest will focus on inner beauty, organizers said.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

RUSKIN - Longtime South Shore residents have come to expect an annual rite of passage this time of year - the competition for the crown and title of Tomato Queen.

In recent years, the event included pretty young girls and teens wearing long, flowing gowns who vied in a pageant-like contest.

The 2009 contest will go back to its roots, said Fred Jacobsen, president of the Ruskin Community Development Foundation.

"We will name an adult Tomato Queen and King, much like we used to," Jacobsen said. "But we're looking at the event not so much as a beauty contest as we are an inner-beauty contest."

Jacobsen said the event will now be patterned after the annual honorary mayor's race hosted by the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce.

That means contestants will raise votes by raising money for a charity of their choice and for the foundation, a nonprofit that focuses its efforts on the revitalization of downtown Ruskin and projects benefiting the community.

Every dollar collected will count as a vote, and the man and woman collecting the most money will be crowned. The totals will be split 50-50.

To qualify, applicants must work, live or play in Ruskin; be 18 or older; and be sponsored by a Ruskin-based business. There is no cost to enter or fee for the sponsoring business. All participants will be listed at www.ruskinfoundation.org, with the name of their designated charity and sponsor.

The contest begins today and ends April 20, when all proceeds must be turned in and counted.

Jacobsen said the winners will be presented at noon at the Ruskin Tomato & Heritage Festival at E.G. Simmons Park May 2. In addition to a crown, each winner will receive a box of tomatoes, a weekend package from The Resort & Club at Little Harbor and other forms of recognition or gifts.

Winners' names and photos also will be posted online at www.ruskinhistory.org and remain in the site's archives.

The Ruskin Tomato King and Queen also will ride in the annual Ruskin VFW Veterans Day Parade.

Applications and rules are available online at www .ruskinfoundation.org or in the lobby of Fifth Third Bank, 1020 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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