The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce will host the 32nd annual Goleta Lemon Festival, Sept. 27-28 at Girsh Park.
Presented by Rusty’s Pizza, the Goleta Lemon Festival honors the area’s citrus roots, dating back to around 1875 when Sherman Patterson Stow of Rancho La Patera planted California’s first known commercial lemon orchard in Goleta.
As Goleta’s largest community event of the year, the festival now draws some 40,000 residents, visitors, nonprofits, and community leaders.
More than 80 booths will showcase local crafts, nonprofits, lemony food, drink and souvenirs. Vendor applications are open at LemonFestival.com/vendorapplications.
The Community West Bank Food Court will offer sweet and savory treats like fresh lemonade, lemon bars, and Rusty’s Pizza. For adult beverages, visitors can visit the Signature Aviation Lemon Lounge for a lemon ale, crisp cider, or a splash of local wine.
Starting at noon each day will be the ever-popular American Riviera Bank pie eating contests.
Festival music will ring out from the UCLA Health Main Stage, with sounds ranging from rock and country to blues and funk. Crowd-favorite Area 51 will headline on Saturday afternoon.
“The Goleta Lemon Festival is a chance to squeeze the most out of our community spirit and celebrate the bright history of lemons in Goleta,” said Kristen Miller, president/CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to bring together residents, businesses, and visitors for a weekend filled with fun, flavor, and fantastic memories.”
At the Santa Barbara Airport Kids Zone, activities include mini golf, inflatable bubbles, and archery tag. An all-inclusive activity wristband id available; save $5 by pre-purchasing at LemonFestival.com.
Other activities include:
The largest interactive display of Fire, Police, and Emergency Services in the county at Safety Street, presented by Royal Property Services.
The 18th Annual Goleta Fall Classic Car Show, presented by Ruth Ann Bowe – Village Properties on Saturday only — a lineup of Corvettes, Camaros, vintage trucks, and motorcycles. Have a classic of your own? Register at LemonFestival.com/goleta-fall-classic.
Point Market Community Stage brings local flavor with performances by community groups, clubs, and schools.
Chill out in the Ice in Paradise Cool Down Zone.
It takes a whole grove to make this citrus celebration happen, according to the chamber. The Goleta Lemon Festival depends on its volunteers (ages 14 and up). Sign up at LemonFestival.com.
The Goleta Lemon Festival is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sept. 27-28. For more, visit LemonFestival.com.
The Goleta Lemon Festival is organized by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce from Goleta to Carpinteria.
Sponsors are: Presenting Sponsor: Rusty’s Pizza
Main Squeeze Sponsors: Community West Bank, Cox Communications, Ice in Paradise, MarBorg Industries, Rincon Broadcasting, Royal Property Services, Ruth Ann Bowe – Village Properties, Santa Barbara Airport, Signature Aviation, Spectrum Reach, The Point Market, UCLA Health, Visit Santa Barbara.
Lemon Slice Sponsors: American Riviera Bank, Blue Star Parking, Courtyard by Marriott, Goleta West Sanitary District, Residence Inn by Marriott, The Berry Man. Lemon Zest Sponsors: American Medical Response, Atlantic Aviation, Chevron, edhat.com, Goleta Sanitary District, Goleta Water District, Good Land Wine Shop & Bar, Limoneira, Majestic Asset Management, NNSS-Special Technologies Lab, Noozhawk, Pacific Surfliner, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara Zoo, Southern California Edison, Tammy Dobrotin State Farm Agency, TEAM Solutions Group, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, UC Santa Barbara, Village Properties.
Event Supporters: 92.9 KJEE, Anna’s Bakery, Branches Mobile Gallery, Bright Event Rentals, Camino Real Marketplace, Cumulus Radio Station, Foundation for Girsh Park, Granite Construction, JANO Printing & Mailworks, KEYT, KRAZY Country, M.Special Brewing Co., Por La Mar Nursery, Santa Barbara Cider Co., Santa Barbara MTD, Tri-Valley Trophies & Specialties, Univision, WE R FILMS.