Annual lemon street fest has sweet taste

When life hands you lemons — bring them to the Lemon Festival on Sunday, Aug. 7.

This is the 20th anniversary of the signature community event being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Third Avenue in Chula Vista.

“As a city deeply rooted in agriculture at the time of its charter in 1911, this commemorative event showcases Chula Vista to more than 30,000 visitors each year,” said Heather Marshall, communications manager for the Third Avenue Village Association (TAVA). “With more than 200 vendors, a craft beer garden, two stages featuring live bands and a variety of lemon-themed contests, a kids fun zone and more, the Lemon Festival is the largest and longest-running event hosted by TAVA.”

TAVA is a non-profit whose mission is to create, promote and champion a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination leading to increased sales, property values and community pride. The district TAVA encompasses is Third Avenue from E Street to I Street, as well as the immediate block east and west of Third Avenue.

New this year, said Marshall, is an enhanced Kids’ Fun Zone which will include a rock climbing wall, Parachute Rocket, bungee ride and human hamster wheels on water.

“Additionally, the event’s Craft Beer Garden will feature South Bay breweries Thr3e Punk Ales, NOVO Brazil. Bay Bridge Brewing and Groundswell Brewing Co.,” said Marshall, “The event even gets its own signature beer through Ballast Point Brewing Co., which will be serving a limited release Meyer Lemon Sculpin,” she said.

Celebrate this juicy jubilee with the community by sporting your brightest yellow outfit showing community pride while enjoying lemon-infused activities including live bands, sour contests and hundreds of festive booths.

Crates of Chula Vista summer fun will fill Third Avenue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at no cost to the community.
Commemorating Chula Vista’s historic reign as the lemon capital of the world, Third Avenue closes to traffic and opens to hundreds of vendor booths and over 30,000 eager attendees for the Festival.

Live bands rocking the event on the Lemonade Bandstand at Park Way and the Citrus Stage at E Street will feature The Routine, Grizzly Business, The Johnny Deadly Trio, Orbitrons and more.

Between the tangy tunes, compete for glory and prizes in the Lemon Pie Eating, Lemon Peeling and Largest Lemon contests. Sour style will be rewarded as well with the Best Lemon Outfit contest.

Reach new heights with the Festival Fun Zone located at F Street where bungee rides, a rock wall and more will delight thrill seekers of all ages.

For adults seeking something stronger than lemonade, head to Memorial Park for the Lemon Festival Craft Beer Garden.