Where tomatoes fly and memories grow
Story by Molly Gilbert
Photos by Mackenzie Free
Just before sunset, Neely Henry Lake begins to settle into its evening rhythm. The water grows still. Pontoon boats drift offshore. Music floats across the lake as families unfold lawn chairs and children eagerly wait for the signal that the fun is about to begin.
At the center of the excitement sits an unusual arena built from hay bales and fencing – a playful reminder that this isn’t an ordinary fall festival.
Then the first tomato flies.
Within seconds, bright red tomatoes arc through the air as laughter erupts across Greensport RV Park and Marina. Children dodge behind hay bales. Teenagers launch playful volleys across the arena. Adults discover they’re just as competitive – and just as willing to laugh at themselves – as the kids.
For one evening each fall, Greensport RV Park and Marina transforms into Alabama’s own version of La Tomatina.
Now entering its third year, Alabama’s Little Tomatina has become one of the region’s most distinctive community events, blending local agriculture, lakeside scenery, live music and family fun into an experience that’s uniquely Alabama.
Its story, however, begins long before the first tomato was ever thrown.
Few visitors realize that Greensport RV Park and Marina is just a small part of a much larger farm that has remained in the same family for eight generations – a legacy recognized through its designation as an Alabama Bicentennial Farm. For owners Dave and Stephanie Evans, preserving that heritage has always been just as important as creating memorable events for the community.
Stephanie recalls that the original spark came from a family conversation.
“My sister-in-law, Beth Evans, was talking about having a tomato festival with our neighboring Chandler Mountain community,” she said.
That idea quickly evolved.
“Dave heard that idea and, of course, had to ‘up the ante,’” Stephanie said. “Between Google searches and Dave’s ever-turning mind, he stumbled upon Spain’s Tomatina Festival. He said, ‘That’s it! We are going to do a Tomatina festival – Alabama style.’”
While Spain may have provided the inspiration, everything else reflects the character of northeast Alabama.
Instead of winding city streets, guests gather on Greensport RV Park and Marina’s island overlooking Neely Henry Lake. Instead of centuries-old buildings, the backdrop is rolling mountains, open water, and brilliant Alabama sunsets. Hay bales surround the throwing arena, creating playful obstacles for participants to duck behind between throws.
“It’s all about trying to intertwine unique events with our family and property roots,” Stephanie said.
That philosophy extends beyond the scenery.
For the third consecutive year, Smith Tomato Farm on nearby Chandler Mountain has donated the tomatoes used during the event, creating another meaningful connection between Greensport RV Park and Marina and one of the area’s best-known agricultural communities.
“We are so proud to have Smith Tomato Farm donate all of our throwing tomatoes,” Stephanie said.
Even after the event ends, the tomatoes continue serving a purpose. Those still suitable for cooking are offered to anyone interested in canning or preparing meals. The rest are enjoyed by Greensport RV Park and Marina’s petting zoo animals and local wildlife.
For visitors attending their first Little Tomatina, Ashley Rogers, Greensport RV Park and Marina’s director of public relations, offers one important piece of advice.
“The first thing that newcomers need to expect is that they will get messy!”
Comfortable clothing is encouraged because the evening involves much more than simply tossing tomatoes. Guests can expect running, slipping, sliding, dancing, and plenty of laughter as the tomato battle unfolds.
The festivities begin with live music by Gadsden favorite, Parris, while food trucks provide plenty of opportunities to grab dinner before or during the event. Guests purchase wristbands at the gate – or in advance online – and can also order commemorative event T-shirts before arriving.
When it’s time for the main attraction, participants enter one of three age divisions: children ages 10 and under, teens ages 11 through 17, or adults.
Throwers purchase bags of tomatoes before stepping into the arena.
The rules are intentionally simple.
Tomatoes should be smashed before they’re thrown, making every hit more messy than painful. Some participants wear disposable ponchos or protective eyewear, while others proudly embrace the full experience.
And if someone finishes the evening covered head to toe in tomato juice?
“The lake is always there,” Ashley said, noting that guests are welcome to rinse off before heading home.
Not everyone participates inside the arena, however.
Many visitors simply enjoy watching the action unfold while relaxing beside the lake. Others come primarily for the music, food and festive atmosphere. Like many successful lake events, Little Tomatina offers something for everyone, whether they’re throwing tomatoes or cheering from the sidelines.
One of the evening’s biggest crowd-pleasers doesn’t involve the arena at all.
“My favorite moment would have to be allowing attendees to pie us in the face with tomato pies,” Stephanie said. “I get the most enjoyment out of seeing other people participate and have fun with their family and friends. This has truly been the most unique and most fun event we put on each year.”
Dave sees something even deeper in the tradition.
“I think my favorite part of the event is knowing the connection to the ag-related fields that we are rooted in,” he said. “I also love seeing the enjoyment people have just from something as simple as throwing a tomato. As a child, we would always throw rotten vegetables at each other and have the most fun. To see others love recreating something similar brings me joy.”
That sense of shared joy appears to resonate with visitors as well.
“Last year’s Tomatina at Greensport was a very entertaining event,” said attendee Owen Whisenant of Blount County. “I enjoyed just being part of the fun and the community.”
As the event enters its third year, the Evans family remains committed to making each festival a little better than the last.
“For us, the most important thing is to continuously improve in every way we can,” Stephanie said. “We want the event to be better and more entertaining each year. Listening to customer feedback and implementing those changes is very important to us. We want to keep it family friendly and affordable for everyone.”
That commitment may explain why Little Tomatina feels less like a novelty and more like a tradition in the making.
It’s an evening where local agriculture meets lake life. Where live music mixes with laughter. Where neighbors become teammates – or friendly targets – for a few unforgettable moments. And where one simple idea has grown into another reason for families to gather along the shores of Neely Henry Lake.
As the last tomatoes are thrown and the music continues into the evening, the mess quickly washes away. The memories, however, have a way of sticking around long after the stains are gone.
