Photos: Watermelon festival at Hansen Dam was sweet slice of California
People lineup for different kinds of watermelon foods during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Watermelon cut up to order during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
People showoff their watermelon fashion during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
People showoff their watermelon fashion during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
The band Gold Coast performs during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
The festival mascots doe some country line dancing on stage with the ladies during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Kids and parent enjoy the carnival rides during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
People enjoy watermelon flavor shave ice during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Pizzeria Principe serves some watermelon pizzia during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
People enjoy watermelon bowls by Gourmet Churros during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Rolling Fried serves some watermelon sushi during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Ice used to keep the watermelons cool during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
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People lineup for different kinds of watermelon foods during the California watermelon festival at Hansen Dam Saturday, Lake View Terrace June 6, 2026. The event inspired dishes, watermelon themed arts and crafts, live watermelon carvings, and an expanded Kids Zone. Freshly sliced and whole watermelons were available for purchase. The event also featured DJs and live bands, country line dancing lessons, a car show and a pinup girl contest.
(Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer}
Edward Campos of Sylmar didn’t grow up on a watermelon farm but he knew San Fernando Valley residents deserved a family-oriented festival close to home.
Instead of driving to Pomona for the Los Angeles County Fair or the strawberry festival in Ventura, Campos and his partner turned an existing watermelon festival into today’s extravaganza. As the population of the Valley grew, they moved it to the Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace.
“Watermelons are just one of those fruits that everyone has when you have a gathering and it’s a summer fruit so it’s just like the perfect way to gather as you kick off the summer, celebrate kids getting out of school, graduates,” said Alexandra Campos about her husband’s venture. “Food vendors have really come up with … amazing recipes.”
This year’s California Watermelon Festival took place June 6 and 7. It featured watermelon-inspired dishes including tacos, pusas, cannolis, cheesecake, sourdough bread, corn dogs, deep-fried watermelon, aguas frescas, micheladas, watermelon Rita and more.
The crowd enjoyed watermelon-inspired dishes, watermelon-themed arts and crafts, and freshly sliced and whole watermelons picked off the vine.
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