Mark your calendars: the 52nd Annual Watermelon Festival will be held at the Rose Bowl on August 16, 17, and 18 and is presented by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club.

The fabulous celebration includes watermelon-carving demonstrations, watermelon eating and seed-spitting contests, a wearable art contest and features nightly prize drawings.

Every admission includes free watermelon slices and a free spin on the Watermelon Wheel for additional prizes and raffles tickets, so everyone’s a winner!

An array of festival food favorites and beverages is complimented by the bazaar marketplace, arcade games, watermelon-themed games, carnival rides, and attractions offering fun for the whole family.

Special guests this year include Celebrity Chef Joseph Poon creating elaborate and amusing watermelon carvings, and National Watermelon Queen Amber Nolin. And don’t miss the return of the ever-popular Watermelon-O-Matic machine!

The much anticipated coronation of the Watermelon Queen and her court is always a crowd pleaser. Entertainment headliner for Friday night is the Viza band, and popular L.A. band Sad Robot is scheduled for Saturday night. Additional musical entertainment will be announced.

A Watermelon Recipe Contest offers categories in Appetizers, Entrees, Beverages, and Desserts, and there is a Watermelon Growing Contest. Please check the website for deadlines and guidelines.

The Watermelon Festival is the epitome of summer fun!

Festival hours are Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 10 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Parking is free. Please visit lionswatermelonfestival.com for more information and to purchase advance discount tickets.