City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo opened the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday evening at the James Zarra Building stage.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Pittston Tomato Festival kicks off
The robot, constructed of metal parts by artist Scott Nichols, right, from a concept my City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo, center, stand in front of the 16-foot sculpture along with fellow Chris Daniels, left, who aided in the assembly of the build. The robot named Jon Qzak is erected at the Tomato Festival lot.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Rain delayed festival-goers until 7 p.m. when the sun appeared on day one of the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The Gracie Jane Sinclair Band was the headliner on the first night of the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday evening. It’s the third year in a row Gracie has appeared at the festival either as a trio or with the band.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Scott Nichols, the artist responsible for taking City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo’s concept to reality, stands in front of his creation on opening night of the Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday evening.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Say hello to Jon Qzak, the latest art attraction complete with a digital sign to Downtown Pittston. The robot sit at the Pittston Tomato Festival lower lot and was created by artist Scott Nichols via the concept my City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Local artist Gracie Jane Sinclair along with her band performed at the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday evening.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The Chosen Few, playing timeless hits, opened the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Festivities started a little late after an afternoon rain but the sun returned at 7 p.m. and a rainbow appeared over the Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Stew the Tomato was doing a happy dance once the rain ended and the sun appeared at the 43rd Annual Pittston Tomato Festival on Thursday evening. The festival continues on Friday at 3 p.m. and runs to Sunday closing at 8 p.m.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
PITTSTON — The 43rd annual Pittston Tomato Festival opened up to an afternoon shower clearing out by 7 p.m. to get the event underway. With, at times, heavy rain falling, food vendors were ready and the aroma of food was everywhere.
Opening ceremonies were to begin at 6 p.m. but were delayed slightly with City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo offering remarks with Tomato Festival committee behind him on stage. He thanked his committee and all those volunteering their time in making the festival a go.
Because of the weather conditions, Mayor Lombardo made opening ceremonies brief but before concluding, he introduced local artist Scott Nichols.
Nichols has become well known in NEPA due to his work in metal art. Mayor Lombardo asked Nichols to create a piece of art looking like a robot with a boom box raised over its head.
The concept came from Lombardo from a movie starring John Cusack titled “Say Anything.”
Nichols was called to Lombardo’s office where the mayor sketched out a drawing of the robot. It has taken about a year for Nichols to produce the robot and assembled with the held of Chris Daniels. The robot, affectionately called Jon Qzak, was erected over the last two week and the digital display was installed just last week.
Festivalgoers will be able to see the robot, as it will be operational all-year long.
The festival continues on Friday at 3 p.m. and runs to Sunday closing at 8 p.m.
Mayor Lombardo said the 44th Annual Pittston Tomato Festival will see a transformation in the layout of the lower lot to include a permanent bandshell.
