September 4. The Market's second annual "The Good, the BIG, and the Ugly" tomato contest is now history. Despite what was possibly the worst growing season in recent memory, there were the same number of entries this year as for the inaugural event last year: 32, with 28 different varieties represented.

The difficult growing conditions were reflected in at least two ways: More entries in the Miniature Division─almost twice as many as last year─and lower average scores for sugar content (Brix) in both divisions.

This year's big winner was Christy Pooschke, sporting 5 medals.  Not far behind with 4 medals each were Joy Patton, the 2010 defending champion, and newcomer Sarah Davie, whose Redhead was the Grand Prize winner.  The biggest tomato, Lady Lucy at 19.2 ounces, was also hers.

In fact, 4 different contestants entered Redhead!  For Joy, the variety won "ugliest"; for Sarah, the same cultivar won "best tasting".  Uncommon varieties seen this year included Green Sausage, Square Paste, and Godlove, a Kansas family heirloom known also as Heck.

For a complete listing of entries and results, click here.