Watermelon Logo
The festival features free watermelon slices, sliced by the new and improved MelonOmatic and the Watermelon Wheel, with free spins for everyone and everyone’s a winner. Favorite activities include watermelon eating contests, greased watermelon relay races, watermelon seed spitting contests and nightly raffle drawings. Friday night’s highlight is the Coronation of the Watermelon King and Queen and their court on the main stage at 7:30pm. Additionally, there is a Wearable Art Contest that runs throughout the festival, so join the fun and create an outfit, accessory or garment with a watermelon motif.
New this year is the addition of a shuttle bus service that will run on Foothill Boulevard from Tujunga to Lake View Terrace. Please visit the website for the exact bus schedule and pick up points.
The Chef’s Corner has watermelon carving demonstrations by Chef Jesse Sanchez of the Los Angeles Mission College and Chef Gillian, who owns a private chef company. Liz Thompson, of the Art Institute of California Culinary Arts Department in San Bernadino, will be conducting pastry demonstrations. The Watermelon Recipe Contest returns with categories in Appetizers, Entrees, Beverages and Desserts. Send recipes, by July 31 to lionswatermelonrecipes@
An International food court, with dining tent, has the Lion’s fresh corn booth, BBQ, Gyros, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Specialty Sausages, Thai-Chinese and Mexican food, Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Italian Ices, Kettle Corn and Beer Garden. New this year is the Fire Truck Pizza Oven and Belgian Waffle Trucks.
The Bazaar marketplace has arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, personal services and product marketing. The Community Courtyard showcases the diverse and dynamic organizations that help the community to thrive. With appealing and unique exhibits, the individual booths have information about their respective groups and the importance of their contributions to the community.
The Kids’ Zone has a Poetry Corner and storytellers, a special appearance by Ronald McDonald, face painting, classic clowns, petting zoo and pony rides. Kids will further love the Carnival Rides and Arcade Games.
The Main Stage features live music all weekend long. Friday night’s headliners, The NK Band, have shared the stage with Dave Matthews, John Mayer, and more. The evening will also include electro-indy rockers, Montë Mar; alt rockers, Sink To See; and experimental duo, The Gardeners. Saturday’s headliners, Eagles Tribute band, Boys of Summer (Clean Slate) have opened for Keith Urban, Shania Twain, and more. Preceding them is LA’s best bluegrass alt-rock band, Rose’s Pawn Shop. Other acts include yOya, as heard on the Across the Universe soundtrack; blues legends Artwork Jamal & Deacon Jones; and an offshoot of The Heist, Americana rock band, Blackwood Harvest. Sunday’s headliner, Andy DiMino, is Las Vegas’ number one Dean Martin Impersonator and will be backed by a big band. Other acts include Latin jazz sensation, Iliana Rose; the alt rock and classic rock mixtures of Sonic Mojo; and more.
100% of funds raised by the Watermelon Festival are used by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club help to support local youth and community activities, disaster relief, and to support health and vision conservation programs in California, across the nation and throughout the world.
So mark your calendars and come have some fun, eat to your hearts delight and listen to an incredible musical lineup.
For additional information contact:
Marcia Groff at 310-721-1592, entertainmg@
John Forrester at 323-702-3684,john@
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
