52nd Annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival

Online, June 17, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The 52nd Annual Watermelon Festival, presented by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club, will be held Friday, August 16 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday, August 17 from 12:00pm to 10:00pm and Sunday, August 18 from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, at The Rose Bowl, located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103. Tickets at the gate are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 children. Advance discount tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. Every one's a winner, as each admission includes free watermelon slices and a free spin on the Watermelon Wheel for prizes and raffle tickets. For additional information visit www.lionswatermelonfestival.com or call 818-353-4554.

Favorite activities include watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, as well as nightly raffle drawings for fabulous prizes. Friday night's highlight is the Coronation of the Watermelon King and Queen and their court. New this year is a special appearance by the National Watermelon Queen, Amber Nolin of Alabama. The always popular Wearable Art Contest returns with watermelon outfits and accessories, along with new watermelon themed games. The new and improved Watermelon-O-matic machine also returns, slicing and dicing the delicious and huge fruits to the delight of the ever hungry festival goers.

The Chef's Corner will feature watermelon carving demonstrations by Celebrity Chef Joseph Poon of Philadelphia, who has been featured on The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Food Network, and Chef Jesse Sanchez of the Los Angeles Mission College, will return this year for additional demonstrations. The Watermelon Recipe Contest returns with categories in Appetizers, Entrees, Beverages and Desserts. Please check the website for deadlines and guidelines.

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, face painting and classic clowns. Kids will further love the Arcade Games and Carnival atmosphere.

The food court areas feature an array of popular festival and fair favorites and highlight selected watermelon based treats and drinks.

Added attractions for Sunday, from noon to 4pm, include Special Appearances by the LA Kings Ice Crew and Galaxy Star Squad, both Champions in their sports of Ice Hockey and Soccer. They will be on hand with free giveaways and chances to win autographed merchandise.

Ara Zeith, president of the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club, comments, "We are very pleased to be expanding the festival this year and relocating it to the Rose Bowl Stadium. We are also thrilled with the participation of National Watermelon Promotion Board, who is coming on board this year as a Silver Sponsor."

Gordon Hunt, Director of Marketing and Communications for the National Watermelon Promotion Board adds, "This will be our first time on the west coast and we are happy to be a sponsor for the 52nd annual event, which will benefit the Watermelon Industry in California."

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.

The musical lineup, additional special guests and personal appearances will be announced shortly. Vendor applications will be accepted up until August 10, 2013.

So, mark your calendars, come have some fun, eat to your hearts delight and be a part of the 52nd Annual Sunland-Tujunga Lion's Watermelon Festival at the Rose Bowl this August.