The 31st Annual Great Tomato Festival will be held Aug. 28 at the ND State Fair Center, 4-H Hall, 2005 Burdick Expressway East.

This classic community fundraising event was established in 1989 by Jeff and Peggy Miller. It has become the annual end of summer gourmet picnic to attend. The menu consists of smoked pork chops cooked to perfection by master chefs, a top secret recipe of roasted tomatoes stuffed with rice, along with chips and salsa, tomato and cucumber salad, beer batter bread and brownies.

The evening also includes entertainment by the Dakota Dixie Jazz Band and Minot Symphony Orchestra musicians, creative tomato displays, a social hour serving tomato hors d’oeuvres, and an amazing silent auction. Continued from last year will be a live auction, which will include vacation destination getaways, an autographed Star Wars Limited Edition Photo, a Limited Edition Game of Thrones poster autographed by cast, and more. New this year, there will be two Games of Chance to win a Michael Kors bag and a Tiffany Bracelet. The silent auction will include more than 250 auction items, including tickets for things to do in Minot, restaurant meals, kids’ activities, vacation stays, art, furniture, and more.

Returning again is the Great Chocolate Cake Revival. A selection of fancy chocolate cakes will be available to bid on and take home that evening. Doors open for browsing at 5:30 p.m. with social hour at 6 p.m., and dinner served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Attendees must be 21 to attend. Advance tickets are available at Minot Public Library, Taube Museum of Art, The Computer Store or online at www.greattomatofestival.com.

The Great Tomato Festival is a community fundraiser, which has benefited a number of non-profit organizations since its inception. The mission of the fundraiser is “Working together with the purpose of raising funds to enhance the services of the specific nonprofit organizations.” It currently benefits the Minot Public Library, Taube Museum of Art and Minot Symphony Orchestra. All net proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction are directly granted to the sponsoring organizations.