The annual revival of the Corona Lemon Festival is held the first Sunday in October
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Corona Lemon Festival at the Corona Civic Center, October 7, 2001
In the early years, Corona's growth came in part through the climatic hospitality and agricultural fame of lemons and other citrus fruits. The height of production was in 1935 where 2,406 acres of lemon groves were harvested, filling 1,138 railroad cars for delivery to market. Corona became part of history as "The Lemon Capital of the World."
Naturally, a community gathering evolved to celebrate the "fruits" of Corona's labors, and the resulting Lemon Festival grew into an annual three-day event with parades, pageants, dances and carnivals. It came to an end in 1948 as the reign of the Lemon Capital fell to other parts.
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As a new century unfolded, so to did a resurrection of the memories that helped build Corona. The reinvention of this historic event celebrated the past flavor of the 30's and 40's while offering attractions to fit present times. Much of that attraction is entertainment from that era, repopularized today - big band music, swing performances and dance competitions.
The event continues the "Miss Lemon Festival" pageant, includes a fine art exhibition and crafters, and an "old-fashioned" bake-off with lemons as the obvious theme. Attractions also include a "Best-Dressed Pets" contest, and "Restaurant Row."
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Corona High School Band and Color Guard perform for over 6,000 attendees
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