Watermelon Festival 2022

June 4 - 5

2022 MANTECA CROSSROADS WATERMEMN STREET FAIRE LINEUP

Get ready for fun & food

People watching, shopping and just plain browsing is pure fun whenever the Crossroads Watermelon California Street Fair takes over downtown Manteca streets.

You’ll have almost picture perfect weather to enjoy the street fair as the National Weather Service predicting the highs will hover around 80 degrees each day.

The 28th annual event is not just a chance to inspect and buy wares from 250 vendor spaces offering everything from crafts, unique music tapes, flea market-style toys and novelties to the famous Lockeford sausage and kettlekorn but is a great time to people watch and take in what promises to be a beautiful late spring weekend.

10:30-1:00

1:00-2:00

Upwards of 40,000 people typically attend the two-day event.

The street fair takes place both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Manteca High as well as on several side streets.

It will also include non-profits ranging from political organizations to youth football clubs. There also will be rec -

2:30-5:00

reational vehicles both days and a car show on Sunday.

There is free entertainment both days as well as watermelon games and contests for kids at Library Park.

Many people make the street fair a two-day venture. Some will browse the first day and return the second for serious shopping. Most, however, who make it a multiple day adventure do so because they either wanted to go back and get something that caught their fancy the first day but couldn’t decide on whether to buy, to try a different food item that they simply ran out of stomach room for on their initial trip or to savor the atmosphere which allows you to leisurely stroll and strike up conversations with friends and neighbors.

Parking never seems to be a problem. Even at peak times throughout the weekend you are able to find a parking space within two blocks of the downtown triangle.

Even with the 100 and 200 blocks of Yosemite Avenue blocked off and side streets connecting to Center Street closed, there are still more than 600

parking spaces on the streets and public lots available within three blocks.

Remember not to eat before you venture out to the street fair.

There are countless opportunities you won’t be able to resist from funnel cakes and kettle corn to ice cream, Lockeford sausage and culinary creations you never dreamed of that your nose will absolutely love.

About those people who make the street fair a two-day event: If they come on Saturday, they usually return with another friend on Sunday or else just come back to hit the food booths again or to simply chat with people.

The health benefits of watermelon

Loaded With Lycopene

The cheery red color comes from lycopene, an antioxidant. Studies show it may help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes as part of a healthy lifestyle. Watermelon has more of this nutrient than any other fruit or veggie -- even tomatoes. To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds.

Sun Benefit?

Some pigments help protect plants from the sun. Oddly enough, just eating them may shield your skin, too -- at least a little. The lycopene in watermelon may make it less likely that you get sunburned. But that’s not for sure, so keep using your broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day.

Healthier Heart

Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called citrulline that may help move blood through your body and can lower your blood pressure. Your heart also enjoys

the perks of all the lycopene watermelon contains. Studies show that it may lower your risk of heart attacks. Of course, your whole lifestyle affects your heart health. So make sure you also work out, don’t smoke, limit saturated fat, and keep up with your doctor’s advice.

Protects Your Joints

Watermelon has a natural pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin that may protect your joints from inflammation. Some studies show that over time, it could make you less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis.

Easy on Your Eyes

Just one medium slice of watermelon gives you contains 9-11% of the vitamin A you need each day. This nutrient is one of the keys to keeping your eyes healthy. Foods are the best ways to get all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Naturally Sweet Hydration

Juicy watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a simple way to help stay hydrated. Every cell in your body needs water. Even a small shortage can make you feel sluggish.

IV.

Soothes Your Skin

Vitamins A, B6, and C in watermelon help your skin stay soft, smooth, and supple. Because it’s loaded with water, melon also makes a great face mask. Mix 1 tablespoon of watermelon juice with the same amount of Greek yogurt. Spread over your face and leave on for 10 minutes to slough off any dry, dull skin. Rinse and pat dry.

Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth

A cup of ice cream will set you back around 300 calories. You can enjoy the same amount of watermelon for just 45.6 calories. And unlike many other desserts, it’s fat-free, cholesterol free, and has no sodium. Plus, the water in it will help you stay fuller longer. To make an easy sorbet, puree some watermelon in your blender, add a squeeze of lime, and pop in the freezer until it hardens.

Boosts Your Workout

Watermelon’s high water content, anti-

oxidants, and amino acids may make for a better workout. It’s also high in potassium, a mineral that could cut down on cramps at the gym. You can sip watermelon juice after you sweat, too. Doing so could help prevent muscle soreness, as long as you don’t push yourself too hard.

Won’t Spike Your Blood Sugar

Trying to keep your blood glucose levels steady? You’re in luck. Watermelon has a glycemic index (GI) value of 80, about the same as a bowl of cornflakes. But it’s got few carbs. That means its glycemic load (how quickly it enters your bloodstream and how much glucose it can produce) is a mere 5. Enjoy a slice without guilt!

Easy to Digest

If you have a digestive condition like Crohn’s or colitis, the list of what not to eat during a flare can be long. You can put watermelon on your “yes” list. Its soft, fleshy fruit is easy for even an inflamed gut to digest. (Just don’t eat the rind or the seeds if you need to limit fiber.)

If you get really dehydrated, it can become serious enough that you need to get fluids by

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What If I Eat a Seed by Accident?

You may have been told as a kid that if you swallow watermelon seeds, they’ll grow in your belly. Not true! After all, your stomach has no sunlight or soil, and a lot of gastric acid. Many melons are seedless these days, but don’t worry if you do swallow a seed. They’re actually full of nutrients!

Choose a Good One

Pick a melon that’s free of dents, nicks, and bruises. Look for a yellow, not white, spot on the bottom. This signals that it’s ripe. A juicy, ready-to-eat watermelon will feel heavy for its size. When you thump it, it should sound hollow.

Safely Cut and Store Your Melon

Wash the outside of your melon before you slice into it. You don’t want your knife to transfer any germs to the inside. While melon tastes best right after it’s cut, you can store it in your fridge for up to 5 days. Freezing is an option, too. While the watermelon won’t stay crisp, you can thaw it to use in smoothies.

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