Sunland-Tujunga Watermellon Festival

[dharma4one]

Is nothing sacred any more? I just read an article announcing the Lions club's BOLD step to re-locate the watermelon festival to the Rose Bowl, yes the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
The watermelon festival has been the signature local event and the largest of it's kind, since 1961 but for some reason it is now too big for Sunland park. OK, maybe the parking is a nightmare. Who on earth could justify transplanting it out of the community it's named for? And if it had to move how about trying Hansen Dam? It's three times the size with plenty of parking and traditionally linked to S-T for generations. I don't know what's really behind this and I'm sorry this is just a rant but really, what were they thinking???

[Sharon W]

There was much discussion on Facebook about the move. The Lions only made about $1000 on the Watermelon Festival last year and it's their biggest fundraiser. They claim LA wants too much in fees for Sunland Park for three days and they can't make any money. The Rosebowl gave them a much better deal and Sony Pictures is co-sponsoring (there's some tie in with a movie) so they expect to make a lot more money which they spend on good works and non-profits in the Sunland-Tujunga area. Lots of people feel betrayed and say they won't go to Pasadena and some are thinking about some sort of alternate festival in S-T. If I can find the FB posts I'll post a link here.