Once known as the Lemon Capital of the World, downtown Chula Vista is celebrating its 25th annual Lemon Festival, Saturday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This year’s festival includes two stages of live music, photo opportunities, a lemon cookoff competition, a kid’s zone, food, arts, crafts, and a wine and beer garden.
TAVA Executive Director Dominic LiMandri said this is the first year that the festival is back in full force since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The downtown event is sponsored by Grasshopper, Chula Vista’s first licensed dispensary.
“We are happy to welcome it back,” he said. “Chula Vista as a whole used to be the lemon capital and this year, we want to pay homage to that. Remember the past by elevating the event to truly new heights.”
LiMandri said this year’s event is organized under a new mantra and is “driving home” the family-friendly lemon themed event and theme to bring out the community to support Third Avenue businesses. He said for entertainment there will be multiple national acts on two stages and introducing “Tarty” the lemon mascot who will be stationed at the lemon portrait photo-op area at Third Avenue and F Street development.
“We will have a kid’s area that is being reintroduced as the Little Lemons Kid Area that will include inflatable attractions and interactive activities for kids,” he said. “To compliment that we will have a small chalk area with chalk artists creating live lemon themed masterpieces along the main walkway.”
LiMandri said for the older crowds there will be an interactive art project When Life Gives You Lemons, a large 2D lemon tree for attendees to write inspirational messages on lemons to add to the tree. There will also be a six-foot sculpture in the shape of a sun made entirely of citrus fruits.
LiMandri said the Chula Vista Block Party was a great kickoff to summer on Third Avenue, and they cannot wait to have everyone come out for the Lemon Festival.
