In the early 1900s, Chula Vista was filled with lemon groves as far as the eye could see and held the title of Lemon Grove Capital of the World. Though the groves are no longer standing, the annual Lemon Festival brings local businesses and residents of the South Bay neighborhoods to honor the city’s rich agricultural history.
Chula Vista is preparing for its 27th Annual Lemon Festival in Downtown Chula Vista on Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In a nod to the city’s citrus-filled heritage, the event will transform Third Avenue into a lemon paradise, filled with lemon-themed bites and sips, two stages of live music, photo opportunities with Tarty the Lemon, a lemon cook-ff competition, arts and craft vendors, and the Little Lemons kids’ area in Memorial Park.
Hosted by the Downtown Chula Vista Association, this yearly celebration is bringing a selection of food bites and drinks from local businesses such as Amazing Fries and More, Bigfoot Loaded Corndogs, El Clamatazo, El Rey Tacos a Vapor, Greek Snack, House of Bao, Il Cannoli Bar, Mama V’s Lumpia, Ms Kim’s Kitchen and many more. This year’s festival is stacked with lemon flavored treats from vendors like Barrett’s Lemonade, Dole Whip Guy, Top Notch Concessions, SoCal Frozen Raspaditos, Venice Beach Lemonade and many more.
In addition to the bites and sips, attendees can stroll through Third Avenue, exploring the various local vendors offering lemon-themed memorabilia. From lemon shaped earrings and necklaces from Brico Quest to crocheted lemon keychains from Happy Yoyo Studio, there are plenty of vendors offering keepsakes,
“Without a doubt, the Lemon Festival stands as one of the most cherished traditions among locals here in Downtown Chula Vista,” said Dominic LiMandri, district manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association. “Year after year, tens of thousands of South Bay residents and San Diegans alike flock to Third Avenue to enjoy this beloved event. It’s truly amazing to witness the growing enthusiasm surrounding the Lemon Festival and we can’t wait to see you all there.”
LiMandri said anyone who has been to the festival in the past, know they find a family-friendly, fun day in Chula Vista.
“It is going to be a very festive environment on Third Avenue, and this program is designed to pay homage to that legacy and heritage in Chula Vista of the old agricultural history and economy that originally put the city on the map,” he said.
Attending the festival this year is It’s in the Filling. owner Samantha Regalado said her online business turns 12 years old in October.
“We specialize in homemade, made to order baked goods from soft cookies to brownies. Right now, our top seller has been cheesecakes, and we also do tres leches. Our go to are markets from Imperial Beach, the Bonita Golf Course, and anywhere in San Diego County, Riverside, and Temecula, and Los Angeles County as well,” she said.
Regalado said this is her fifth year attending the Lemon Festival.
“This is the only event where I transform my whole menu for the Lemon Festival. Everything has lemon in one way or another. I normally make my lemon curd cheesecake, butter short bread cookies, a lemon custard. My lemon cookies were a hit last year, and a lemon triple berry cookie that was very popular, so I will be bringing it back again this year. I have partnered with a Girl Scout and this year will be using the Scout’s lemon cookies in my cheesecake this year. I am also going to add strawberry-lemon cheesecake this year,” she said.
Also attending the festival this year is Chula Vista resident Brian Brooks, owner of BricoQuest, who specializes in handmade jewelry, primarily made of natural materials, cut and polished rocks, mounted in copper and silver, copper bracelets.
“I also utilize reused materials such as surfite, a layered, clear multicolored strengthening material created when surfboard manufacturers are resining their surfboards, and when pulled up makes a really nice material,” he said.
This is the first year Brooks will be bringing his artisan work to the Lemon Festival. Brooks was a jeweler earlier in life, and now has come back to his love of jewelry with his startup for his retirement business.
