The East Side’s Tomato Romp is back for its 13th year, but this celebration is unlike years past. In fact, this celebration is much, much bigger. And whether you love them or hate them, the much debated fruit-or-vegetable will be difficult to escape in certain parts of the East Side on Saturday.

The annual tradition of throwing over-ripe tomatoes and drinking tomatoes in the form of Bloody Marys returns to Milwaukee's east side this Saturday. This year will be the 13th annual Tomato Romp Festival on East North Avenue.The festival is made up of two parts.

Since opening in December 2018, Crossroads Collective—a.k.a. one of the city’s first food halls, located in the former Oriental Drugs space on the East Side—has been great. Walk inside and you’re greeted with various micro-restaurants.

Hacienda Beer Co. is rolling out its new brunch, too, at its east side taproom, 2018 E. North Ave. It starts Sunday, Sept. 1, with hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; there’ll be live jazz by the Devin Drobka Trio from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting Sept. 7, brunch will be served on both Saturdays and Sundays.

The renovation of Milwaukee's historic Oriental Theater on the east side hit a milestone: the removal of the concession stand in the lobby. The old concession stand, which was not an original feature of the theater, is being replaced by a new concession stand that will improve efficiency, speed up service, and allow for more offerings for customers.

Best of Milwaukee 2019: Arts & Entertainment. You’ll need some sunglasses with this much star power.

Best of Milwaukee 2019: Imbibing. We do enjoy a drink now and then, don’t we?

You say “tom-ay-toe”, I say “tom-ah-toe.” No matter how you pronounce it, we can all get to see what 8,000 pounds of tomatoes looks and feels like. On Saturday, September 7th, the East Side will host its 13th annual Tomato Romp and this year, they’re really kicking things up a notch.