DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS MAY 26-JULY 4

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By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Warrior Hike Challenge on El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside, Fortunate Son in concert in downtown El Cajon, Laurel and Hardy films in Spring Valley, and a stockroom speakeasy at Baron’s Market in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, movies in county parks, a Secret Garden Party in El Cajon, the San Diego Concert Band in La Mesa, a Taste of La Mesa, Santee’s summer concerts, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, a historic quilt show, Santee Salutes and Julian’s Fourth of July parade.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

SANTEE STREET FAIR AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL MAY 26

The Santee Chamber of Commerce invites you to join over 30,000 visitors at the 10th Annual Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, May 26th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee.

This event features live music and entertainment, more than 300 food and craft vendor booths, carnival rides, and breweries from all around San Diego County. Additionally, military families will be honored with the annual "Heroes Stage."

For more information, visit http://www.santeestreetfair.com.

WARRIOR HIKE CHALLENGE MAY 26 ON EL CAPITAN MOUNTAIN

County Parks will host its annual Warrior Hike Challenge on May 26th during Memorial Day weekend to salute our military heroes and test the mettle of our local military members, families and supporters.  The event will be held on El Capitan mountain in Lakeside.

Hikes range from one to two hours to up to seven hours in length. You can choose from a short book camp hike rated easy to moderate, a Recon hike for moderately skilled hikers, or a longer Warrior hike for expert hikers.

For details, visit sdparks.org/warriorhike.

DINNER AND A CONCERT IN EL CAJON: WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ALL SUMMER LONG

Downtown El Cajon's "Dinner and a Concert" series continues each Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. all summer long.  The concerts are held in Prescott Promenade Park on Main Street.  The next concert will be Fortunate Son performing a Credence Clearwater Revival concert on May 25th.

Bring a picnic dinner to eat in the park, or you can arrive early to dine at one of the restaurants in downtown El Cajon. 

View the complete Dinner and a Concert lineup at www.DowntownElCajon.com

SAPS AT SEA PRESENT “CHEEZ-IT, FELLAS!  IT’S DA COPS!” MAY 26

The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan club of San Diego, will continue their slam-bang festival of Funtastic films on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. (with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley. 

This month, it's "Cheez-it, Fellas!  It's da Cops!" The laugh fest highlights the boys, Stan and Ollie, on both sides of the law, being chased by the police as well as pursuing the bad guys.  The program starts with a classic Tex Avery cartoon filled with guffaws, followed by The Second 100 Years (1927) with Stan and Ollie escaping prison and becoming part of a society party!

The guest comedian this month is Buster Keaton in Cops (1922).  After intermission, a very special tribute to Chuck McCann, a founding member of the Sons of the Desert who recently passed away, will follow.  The feature will be The Midnight Patrol (1933).

For more information, visit the Saps at Sea Facebook page.

STOCKROOM SPEAKEASY MAY 30

On May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., Barons Market tin Alpine offers a summer-themed backroom beer pairing Often with sell-out crowds, Baron’s Backroom Beer Pairings transform Barons Market’s loading docks and stock rooms into food and local brew speakeasies.

The family-owned market will donate 100 percent of proceeds from its four San Diego locations to Second Chance Dog Rescue. For tickets, go to EventBrite.com and type in Barons Back Room Beer Pairing (or click here.)

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

LA MESA FLAG DAY PARADE JUNE 2

The City of La Mesa will present a Salute to Old Glory at its annual Flag Day parade on Saturday, June 2nd down La Mesa Boulevard in the La Mesa downtown village.

Pre-parade entertainment includes performances by local middle school bands at 9 a.m., with the parade rolling out at 10 a.m.  This year’s grand marshal will local historian and author Jim Newland.

There will also be a free ice cream social after the parade at La Mesa Blvd. and 4th Street to round out a day of patriotic celebration.

LAVENDER DAY JUNE 9 AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS

Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs invites you to Lavender Day on Saturday, June 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate the fragrance and beauty of lavender.

There will also be an antique and craft fair with over 40 fine craftsmen and expert artisans. You can also shop in the barn for lavender gifts such as lavender soaps, candles and salves, bring home containers of live lavender plants and picnic while listening to talented musician Jim Earp.

Guests are encouraged to wear lavender.  For details, visit www.SummersPastFarms.com.

FIDO FEST JUNE 9 IN SANTEE

The city of Santee is going to the dogs – and invites you to Fido Fest on June 9th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) in Santee.

Fido Fest will feature dog adoptions, exhibitors, giveaways, demonstrations, live entertainment and a silent auction to benefit Dogs on Deployment, which helps deployed military members find volunteers to board their pets while they are away.

There will also be services for pet owners including vaccinations, microchipping, dog licensing, heartworm and flea preventative measures.

Dogs attending must be well behaved and on leashes, current on vaccinations, and ready to have a good time with lots of tail-wagging fun. 

NOW PLAYING: MOVIES IN THE PARKS

County Parks and Recreation will present 151 movies in parks across our region all summer long.  Showings start 15 minutes after sunset and movies are rated G through PG-13.

Movies playing at East County locations early in the season include the Lego Ninjago Movie at Stelzer Park in Lakeside on June 2nd, Thor Ragnarok at Dos Picos County Park in Ramona on June 9th, Mary Poppins at the San Carlos Community Park on June 15th, The Boss Baby is playing at both Flinn Springs and Pine Valley County Parks on June 15th, and The Sandlot at Hilton Head County Park in Rancho San Diego on June 22nd.

OUR SECRET GARDEN PARTY JUNE 2 AT ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE’S CENTER

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (2119 East Madison Ave.) will hold its inaugural Our Secret Garden Party on Saturday, June 2 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the facility’s beautiful garden and new aquatics center in in El Cajon.

Guests can enjoy wine and beer tasting, catered foods, an arts auction, live entertainment, boutique vendors, visits from fairies in fabulous costumes, sales of student-made artwork and plants from the garden.

Proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a nonprofit that educates and empowers people with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential.

For tickets, visit www.STMSC.org.

JULIAN DANCE AND BACK COUNTRY BBQ JUNE 9

The Julian Dance and Back Country BBQ will be held June 9th from 12 noon to 9 p.m. at the Menghini Winery in Julian. This outdoor event in its 12th year is the brain-child of the Sons of the American Legion to raise funds for Veterans, kids, local schools and other charitable organizations in the community.

The dance features country music and dancing on a huge floor and stage.  A delicious barbecue is cooked on-site on an open oak flame. There are also separate events for kids.

All in a beautiful mountain setting, the “Dance” is a throwback to a simpler time with twinkly lights and bonfires back-dropped by dark mountain skies. It’s an event where locals and guests from down the hill get together for a great time and raise funds for a great cause.

For tickets and details, visit http://juliandance.org/.

SAN DIEGO CONCERT BAND JUNE 10 IN LA MESA

The San Diego Concert Band has announced its 29th annual Spring Celebration concert and summer concert series. The next East County location will be June 10th at 6 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.sandiegoconcertband.com, or at the door if not sold out.

TASTE OF LA MESA JUNE 11

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host the 10th annual “Taste of La Mesa” on Monday, June 11th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center.  The event features samples of foods, wines, and beers from dozens of local restaurants, wineries and breweries.

Guests can also mix and mingle with local businesses who have display tables for attendees to visit.

For tickets and details, you can visit www.LaMesaChamber.com.

SANTEE’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES OPENS JUNE 14

Santee’s summer concert series opens June 14th and continues on Thursday nights all summer long at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) in Santee.

Most concerts run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., but several special events start earlier.

The June lineup includes the Cadillacs on June 14 playing vintage classic rock and roll plus a car show starting at 6:30. On June 21st, the fun starts at 5:30 with country night, and on June 28th, Upstream will perform reggae music starting at 6:30 p.m.

For a full lineup of concerts and other Santee happenings, visit the City of Santee’s website calendar (http://cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showdocument?id=15579).

JAMUL WINE TASTING FESTIVAL JUNE 30

The Jamul Wine Tasting Festival on June 30th from 6 to 9 p.m. will feature wines from many top local wineries as well as foods prepared by local chefs and restaurants. This year, the event will take place at the grove at D&S Farms, home to Granite Lion Cellars winery. There will also be live music, a silent auction, and presentations by wine industry professionals. 

All proceeds will benefit Jamul’s St. Pius X parish improvements and youth programs. For tickets, visit St.PiusXJamul.com. This event is limited to those age 21 and up.

JULIAN QUILT SHOW JUNE 29-JULY 4

For 27 years, the Julian Woman’s Club Heritage Quilt has showcased the talents of local quilters. This year’s show will feature newly made and heirloom quilts on display. The show runs from June 29th to July 4th in the Julian Town Hall upstairs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can vote for your favorite quilt, purchase quilts and hear from quilting expert and author Eleanor Burns. 

SANTEE SALUTES: PATRIOT FUN AND FIREWORKS JULY 4

The City of Santee will present Santee Salutes, featuring all-American fun and fireworks on July 4th from 2:30 to 10 p.m.  The festivities take place at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) in Santee.

Activities include a kids’ fun zone, live music by the 80z All Stars, a patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.  There will also be food available for purchase.  A shuttle service will be provided from the Costco parking lot in Santee.

JULIAN’S STAR-SPANGLED JULY 4TH PARADE

This year Julian’s 4th of July parade has the theme, “Julian’s Star Spangled 4th”, a salute to the men and women who made our country great, both domestically and militarily.

For more than twenty years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers from all over have lined up at on the town’s main street to wave their flags, cheer the marching bands, salute the Marine Color Guard, and carry a giant American Flag down the thoroughfare. Bands include a bag pipe band, Dixieland jazz, mariachi music and the Gold Drum and Bugle Corps.

Antique cars, vintage tractors, belly dancers, World War 2 Submariners, and several comedy entries will also appear. The parade kicks off at noon down Julian’s Main Street.  But be sure to arrive early, since Main Street shuts down starting at 9 a.m.

Pre-parade events include two flyovers by vintage aircraft at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. There will also be gunfights with Julian Doves and Desperados and patriotic music at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. in front of the old brick bank on Main Street.  After the parade, there will be a barbecue, music and dancing at the American Legion and a historic quilt show by the Julian Woman’s Club. For more information, check www.VisitJulian.com.

That’s all for this week!

If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!


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Comments

I love summer nights in East County.

There are free concerts all over -- all four cities do them, though Lemon Grove has not yet announced their concert schedule in Berry Park. Many of the bands are very good.

Dinner and a concert

Free music performed by some really good bands - check it out.