If you thought having a small-town experience was impossible in LA, that just means you haven’t been to the Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival. Now in its 50th year, the tasty event (August 12-14) invites families to spend the weekend eating free watermelon while enjoying the summertime fruit in all its juicy glory. Expect watermelon carving displays and demos (some of which are truly works of art–you have to see ‘em to believe it), watermelon eating and painting contests, watermelon recipe contests, seed spitting contests, greased watermelon relay races, nightly prizes, food booths (can you say FRIED watermelon?!), beer and wine gardens, two stages of live entertainment (one for adults, one for kids), a bazaar marketplace, petting zoo and tons of carnival rides, arcade games, face painters and even a Watermelon Queen and King.

Best of all, 100% of funds raised by the Watermelon Festival are used by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club help to support youth and community activities and disaster relief.

Friday, August 12 (5pm-11pm), Saturday, August 13 (12pm-11:30pm), Sunday, August 14 (12pm-10:30pm) @ Sunland Park Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, CA 91040.

More info: www.lionswatermelonfestival.com

Watch Watermelon Festival Video (Weekend Roundup, Good Day LA)

(Photo by Michael Owen Baker)