Tomato Fest and Tops In Texas Rodeo will wait to celebrate in 2021

(July 15, 2020) JACKSONVILLE -- Organizers of the Tomato Fest as well as the Tops In Texas Rodeo announced today, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, both events will wait and celebrate in 2021.

Both events had been rescheduled to September, however officials with the events reported they have watched the progress of this pandemic and reached the conclusion to cancel this year’s festivities to keep the community and region safe. The Tomato Fest and Tops In Texas Rodeo has been the trademark of Jacksonville for many years and draws huge crowds from all over Texas and surrounding states.

“After meeting with Chamber leaders and city officials, due to the uncertainty of our ongoing and daily changes it was determined to wait and celebrate Tomato Fest in June 2021," Tomato Fest Chair Robin Butt stated. "Thanks to everyone that has put their many hours, money and volunteering into Tomato Fest as we look forward to Tomato Fest 2021!”

Jacksonville Rodeo Association President Byron Underwood added, “It’s with much regret and sadness that the Jacksonville Rodeo Association has voted to cancel this year’s Tops in Texas rodeo. We had postponed our May dates due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak to September. We feel at this time, for the safety of all our volunteers and workers, our spectators, our professional contestants and officials, sponsors and other people involved we must cancel this year’s event. We will begin planning stages for next year’s rodeo soon, and hope we all come through this situation stronger and better than before. Thanks for all the years that this city and community has supported our rodeo and we look forward to bringing you many more years of professional rodeo to Jacksonville.”

Events organizers said they're looking forward to bringing both trademark events back when it is safe to do so. The 2021 Tomato Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2021. Tops in Texas Rodeo will be held in summer of 2021.

"We are as heartbroken as you are but look forward to having an even better event in 2021," Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce President Peggy Renfro said. "We would like to thank you for your continued support of our events and allowing us to continue these traditions for many years."