DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS APRIL 22 - MAY 7

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East County News Service

April 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Wings of Freedom Vintage Air Show, Earth Day activities,  Lakeside’s Western Days Parade, a Beethoven to Broadway concert, a Spring Garden Festival and an Artist’s reception.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including an Arbor Day celebration, the launch of El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series, a hike on the El Monte Flume Trail, the Coyote Music Festival and more.

So stay tuned for all of these events and more.

THIS WEEK'S MAJOR EVENTS

WINGS OF FREEDOM VINTAGE AIRCRAFT IN RAMONA APRIL 20-22

You’re invited to view or take a flight aboard vintage World War II aircraft at the Ramona Airport (2898 Montecito Rd., Ramona) April 20 through 22^nd, as part of the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour.

The display will include a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, one of only eight in flying condition in the United States, and the B-24J and full Fuel Control P051C Mustang fighter – the only remaining examples of these types of planes in the world, among other restored vintage airplanes.

Collings Foundation, a nonprofit educational foundation, encourages veterans and their families to attend and share their experiences and stories with the public.

For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.CollingsFoundation.org  For flight reservations, cost and more information, call 800-568-8924.

EARTH DAY COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT IN SANTEE APRIL 22-25

An Earth Day Community Mural project is being launched in Santee at the Walker Preserve this weekend. Volunteers are needed to help pain a series of six murals at the Magnolia Avenue underpass along the San Diego River starting Friday, April 22^nd through Monday, April 25^th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All ages are welcome to participate, but those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Artists and experienced painters are highly desired.  To join in, you can meet at the Walker Preserve entrance at 9500 Magnolia Avenue in Santee or visit the city of Santee’s website events section for details. (You can also sign up online at http://Bit.ly/1R8RkkR or contact trodgers@cityofsanteeca.gov for details.)

 SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE APRIL 23

The Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, in its 23rd year, is a family-friendly community celebration of spring and a greener future that attracts more than 3,000 visitors annually. This year's free festival, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, features fun programs, exhibitors and demonstrations that will help you become a better gardener and learn how to conserve our precious resources. 

Some festival highlights:

The renowned Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture department will be holding its biggest plant sale of the year.

Faculty and students in the Ornamental Horticulture department will be presenting information on a wide variety of topics and answer questions. There will also be children's activities and exhibits, info on garden clubs and prize drawings. For details visit www.Cuyamaca.edu.

LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS PARADE APRIL 23

Lakeside’s Western Days Parade will roll out on Saturday, April 23 at 9:35 a.m. down Maine Street in downtown Lakeside.  Now in its 51^st year, this year’s parade hosted by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will feature the theme "America Strong, Lakeside Strong."

The parade features equestrians, floats, marching bands and more.

BEETHOVEN TO BROADWAY SPRING CONCERT WITH SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL CHORUS & ORCHESTRA APRIL 24

The East County Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert on April 24^th will feature works ranging from Beethoven to Broadway. The concert will be held at the College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Ave.) in San Diego.

For tickets and details, you can visit www.sandiegofestivalchorus.org.

 ARTIST RECEPTION AT MISSION TRAILS APRIL 24

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation presents an exhibition featuring an award-winning plein air artist Marilyn Hallam on display from April 23^rd through May 20^th at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center.  A reception honoring the artist will be held on Sunday, April 24^th from 1 to 4 p.m. and the public is invited.

For details you can visit www.MTRP.org.

DANNY GREEN TRIO AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE APRIL 28

The Danny Green Trio, a critically acclaimed traditional and modern jazz group, will perform at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Center (900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon) on Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.  The trio has won a San Diego Music Award for best jazz album.  The performance is all part of the Spring Concert Series at Cuyamaca College.

For tickets ($8, or $5 for seniors and students) visit www.CuyamacaCollege.edu.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS….

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 30 IN EL CAJON

The City of El Cajon invites the public to an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30^th at 8 a.m. in Hillslide Park (840 Buena Terrace). The City will be giving away free tree seedlings and light refreshments as they commemorate the city’s 18^th year of receiving the Tree City USA award.

DINNER AND A CONCERT IN EL CAJON MAY 6

“Dinner & a Concert” Opening Night at the Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon kicks off Friday, May 6th with Clay Colton playing country rock. You can enjoy music and dancing every Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. from May 6 through October 7, bring a picnic or have dinner at one of the many restaurants in downtown El Cajon. (The Promenade is located at 201 E. Main Street.) For a complete line-up of concerts, you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

CAMPO ROUNDUP MAY 7

Relive the  Wild West at the 10th annual Campo Roundup on Saturday, May 7th at the Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility (799 Forrest Gate Road in Campo).  Gates open at 7 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m.  Witness how cowboys ride, rope and brand cattle.  Activities also include a gymkhana competitoin, western skits and a gunfighting reenactment of the famed Campo shootout, mutton busting, kids' games, hayrides, a Miss Roundup competition and raffle. Period costumes are welcome!  (Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, free for kids under 6.) For more information you can visit  CampoCLEEF.org/roundup.

COYOTE MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 7 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

The Coyote Music Festival Returns to Cuyamaca College on Saturday, May 7^th starting at 12 noon at Cuyamaca College (900 Rancho San Diego Parkway) on the Grand Lawn. , Now in its eighth year, the entirely student-run festival provides the community with an afternoon of live, outdoor music. The festival also culminates a semester worth of work for students studying music, technology, recording, and business. For details on this event (which is free to the public), visit www.cuyamaca.edu.

JACUMBA COMMUNITY YARD SALE MAY 7

Quirky and fun, Jacumba Hot Springs’ community-wide yard sale takes place on Saturday, May 7^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old Highway 80 and Railroad Station.

Besides shopping for yard sale finds and perusing hand-made arts and crafts item, you can also take a ”ride” in a flying saucer for a unique photo opportunity or tour the Chinese Castle, where rumors swirl about its infamous past. Was the castle a gift from a sea captain to his bride? Did a murder once occur there?  Is there a smuggler’s tunnel to Mexico?  You can find out fact vs. fiction on the tour on May 7th.

LAUREL AND HARDY WACKY WESTERN NIGHT MAY 14 IN SPRING VALLEY

The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th at Trinity Church in Spring Valley (Williams Hall, 3902 Kenwood Drive. There is a $6 donation per person.) Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  The program includes such cinematic gems as "A Car Punching Cartoon," "West of Hot Dog," "The Last Chance Saloon," "Horse Collars" and "Way Out West."  You can also savor barbecue beans and cornbread during intermission. For more information you can visit www.SapsAtSea.com.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at eastcountymagazine.org.

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.