When life gives you lemons, pucker up and head out to the Upland Lemon Festival April 27-29, where everything lemony is celebrated – from food to contests to entertainment. Celebrate the city’s citrus history with lemon pie-eating contests and a crate label exhibit. Pick your favorite singer in Upland’s Got Talent and enjoy attractions, including a carnival and one of the best arts & crafts fairs around.
With free admission and conveniently located in downtown Upland, the Lemon Festival is perfect for all ages. There is so much to enjoy:
- Entertainment by local community groups and bands at the Lemon Tree and Citrus Grove stages
- Lemon pie-eating contests Saturday and Sunday
- Popular tribute bands at the Citrus Grove Stage each night – including Queen Nation, Paperback Writer (The Beatles) and DSB (Journey)
- Upland’s Got Talent competition – semi-finalists compete Friday and Saturday, with the finals at 5 p.m. on Saturday
- Food – from lemon garlic wings to lemon corn dogs to lemon cake and, of course, fresh-squeezed lemonade
Don’t miss lemon beer. Upland-based brewery Last Name Brewing will feature lemon beer in all its booths: on tap Sub-Lemonal Lager, made from lemons sourced from local trees in the city. The history of Upland is steeped in lemon groves and packing plants – hence the Upland Lemon Festival. Last Name Brewing has embraced the nostalgia.
“We actually put a call out on Facebook and asked customers to bring lemons to the brewery so that they could be included in the beer this year and the response was great,” said Andy Dale, one of the co-owners of Last Name. “In fact, we still have more than a few extra lemons hanging around for the next batch. I personally cleaned out my neighbor's Meyer Lemon tree, with the help of their 4-year-old daughter for the past two years, so it doesn't get much more local than that.”
ULF carnival tickets for rides and games can be purchased online at www.uplandlemonfestival.com. Festival hours are 3-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Contestants are still needed for Upland’s Got Talent. First round auditions are April 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. First round auditions are open to all soloists ages 5 to adult. Each contestant must sing with a CD background track (karaoke) with no lead vocals. Singers may accompany themselves. Any other accompaniment must be on a CD. Auditions will be held at Moultrie Academy of Music, Voice and Dance, 405 W. Foothill Blvd, Suite 201, Claremont. Contact Carly Moultrie at 909-241-7480 for more information. First place winner receives $500; second place $250; and third $100.
Sponsors for the Upland Lemon Festival include Shock Top, Welk Resorts, Sleep Number beds and Handel’s Ice Cream.
The Upland Lemon Festival is produced by The Learning Centers at Fairplex, the community-focused, non-profit, philanthropic arm of Fairplex. A portion of the proceeds will benefit designated non-profit organizations in the City of Upland through The Learning Centers at Fairplex.
For more information, visit www.uplandlemonfestival.com.
