Third Avenue Village Association’s juiciest street faire is coming to downtown Chula Vista.
The 17th annual Lemon Festival is celebrating a time when Chula Vista was once California’s lemon capital.
“Years ago the city of Chula Vista set out the lemon orchids way back in the early 1900s,” said Jovita Juarez, TAVA’s event manager.
“And because of that they’re trying to bring that lemon back because Chula Vista was (the) self-proclaimed lemon capital city of the state, so it’s just like bringing the lemon back to Chula Vista. “
Attendees get to learn about the historical tie between the lemons and Chula Vista at the heritage museum, which is going to be open during the festival.
Juarez said she is expecting a record crowd of 40,000 to 45,000 to show up to the annual event. The event is such a big draw, Juarez said, nearly 200 vendors will be on hand selling items, food, and merchandise. Juarez said this is the largest amount of vendors in the festival’s history.
Car-sharing network car2go San Diego is this year’s title sponsor.
“Anytime we come into a new city or a new community we don’t want to be another business that just comes and sets up shop,” said Michael Cully, regional manager for the United States car2go. “We want to be a partner in the community and thought this would be a natural way to introduce ourselves to the community and let them know who we are.”
The car sharing network made itself part of the Chula Vista community on July 11 by bringing the service to Chula Vista.
Cully said the company forked out $5,000 to help finance the festival.
“It is more than promoting ourselves, it is to help the festival be more successful,” Cully said.
Restaurants and businesses up and down the avenue will dish out their finest lemon treats.
The festival isn’t all about food, live musical entertainment, contests, a kids’ fun zone and everything lemon will be available.
The event is free to the public and takes place Sunday Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Party takes place between E and G streets on Third Avenue.
