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By Miriam Raftery
July 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Fireworks, parades, a deep pit barbecue, a stargazing festival, outdoor concerts, farm tours with berry picking, a food fest and more are all happening in East County as summer heats up.
Scroll down for details on these events and many more, coming up across San Diego’s inland region.
GREASE ONSTAGE IN LA MESA JUNE 30 - JULY 9
Visionary Youth Theatre presents Grease: School Version at the Visionary Performance Space in La Mesa on June 30 – July 9.
The hit musical with a hip-shaking, rock ‘n’ roll score celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-socked, gum-snapping glory. The fun-loving spirit and immortal songs make Grease a favorite among rock ‘n’ roll fans of all ages.
For tickets, you can visit visionarydancetheatre.org/2023.
LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK JUNE 29 – AUGUST 10
The City of Lemon Grove invites you to Concerts in the Park each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berry Street Park on Mount Vernon Street in Lemon Grove. The concerts run from June 29 through August 10. Bring a blanket or lawn chair along with your own picnic or barbecue. Alcohol is prohibited, and pets must be on leashes.
LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival returns for a day of live music, food, fun and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
Enjoy music by bands including Republic of Music, Whiskey State of Mind, Big Time Operator, The Jackals, plus a day-long scavenger hunt and other children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.
Fireworks will be launched at Lake Murray, and can be seen from anywhere you can see the lake. The music fest will be held on the San Carlos side of the lake at the Lake Murray Playground, but the La Mesa side will also be open throughout the day and evening for fireworks viewing
JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE
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 on the 4th of July for the town’s annual parade, cheering the marching bands, a Marine Color Guard and residents carrying a giant American Flag down the thoroughfare.
The parade rolls out at 9 a.m. and includes antique cars, vintage tractors, belly dancers, World War 2 Submariners, car clubs, beautiful horses and more in this hometown Independence Day parade.
For more information, visit julianparade.com(link is external) .
SANTEE SALUTES JULY 4
The city of Santee will host its annual Santee Salutes celebration on Tuesday, July 4th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Santee Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive, Santee)
You’re invited to celebrate our nation’s 247th birthday with fireworks at 9 p.m. that will also feature a soundtrack playing live on SanteeTV.
There will also be live bands, patriotic presentations, food trucks, and more.
Parking is limited, so carpooling and public transit are encouraged, or you can buy a parking permit at cityofsanteeca.gov.
EL CAJON FIREWORKS JULY 4
El Cajon will host its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks in Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Ave., El Cajon) on July 4th.
Arrive early and bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic dinner. The family funs includes train rides from 2 to 7 p.m., arts and crafts plus family games from 3 to 7 p.m., live bands from 3 to 9 p.m. and of course, fireworks at 9 p.m.
For more information on the El Cajon 4th July Celebration you can go to elcajon.gov
POWAY OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration will be held at Poway’s Midland Park (14123 Midland Road, Poway) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4th.
Celebrate our country's independence as it was done a century ago. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, free children's crafts, train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee.
Find more information at Poway.org/calendar
LAKESIDE 4TH OF JULY PARADE
The Maine Street Revitalization Association in Lakeside invites you to decorate your vehicle and join the Lakeside 4th of July parade.
Participants should meet at the Lakeside Rodeo grounds at 9 a.m. for the parade, which begins at 10 a.m.
Afterwards, you can join local veterans for a half-pound burger lunch at the Lakeside VFW.
FARM TOURS AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY
Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona is offering farm tours on July 15 and July 29 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
The tour includes a camel and bird show, feeding camels and miniature sheep, along with other farm attractions and an option to ride a camel.
For tickets and reservations, you can visit www.CamelDairy.com.
BERRY PICKING IN JULIAN
Julian Farm and Orchard is open in July for U-pick strawberries, raspberries, and raspberries on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm is located in Wynola, just outside of Julian.
You can also visit their gift shop to find Julian apple pies, cider, crafts and bouquets of peonies.
Find more information at julianfarmandorchard.com.
PINE VALLEY DAYS JULY 28-29
The beautiful mountain town of Pine Valley celebrates Pine Valley Days July 28th and 29th.
The fun begins with a deep pit barbecue on Friday night from 5-9 p.m. at Pine Valley Park, with seasoned pork slow-cooked for 24 hours or chicken plates ($15). There will also be a beer garden andPine Valley Days T-shirts for sale.F rom 6 to 9:30 there will be live music by the Big Sky Moon band and dancing at the gazebo in the park.
Then on Saturday morning, July 29 at 9 a.m., the parade starts along Old Highway 80 just before Pine Valley Road, ending on Pine Blvd. The parade is a fun family event filled with beautiful floats, horses, classic cars, stilt walkers, balloon artists and more.
Following the parade will be the annual Pine Valley Days event at the park. There you will enjoy live music by multiiple bands, bounce houses, delicious food, and shopping.
For more information check out pinevalleydays.com or the Pine Valley Days Parade page on Facebook.
TEAM ON A TREK JULY 28 AT GROSSMONT CENTER
You’re invited to bring friends, form a team with a creative name and vie for prizes in fun challenges at stations across Grossmont Center in La Mesa on July 28th from 4 to 7 p.m.
It’s all part of “Team on a Trek,” an event to raise funds for the nonprofit San Diego Oasis Learning & Wellness Centers. The fun will also include music, entertainment and awards. Think of it as an Amazing Race type of event, but for all ages and levels.
Teams are encouraged to show some spirit and “get silly,” organizers say There will be awards such as best costume/dress, best team name, and most spirited. Multi-generational teams are organized.
There is a fee for teams to enter. You can register for the Team on a Trek event at the San Diego Oasis website, which is San-Diego.OasisNet.org
JULIAN STAR FEST AUGUST 11-13
The Julian Star Fest returns August 11th through the 13th .
This year’s festivities include a free public star party on Saturday night, August 12th, camping availability for tent and RV campers, astronomy games and crafts for kids, exhibits by major telescope and accessory vendors, food and beverage vendors.
On Saturday only, there will also be a raffle for donated astronomy equipment plus an optional behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Mount Laguna Observatory.
All proceeds from the event are used to help fund the San Diego Astronomy Association’s ongoing community educational efforts.
Learn more at julianstarfest.com/.
EL CAJON CLASSIC CRUISES AND CONCERTS
Cajon Classic Cruises continue along Main Street in downtown El Cajon. The car shows are held each Wednesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. all summer long.
The city also hosts outdoor concerts in the park on Prescott Promenade in the same area along Main Street every Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. now through September. You can bring a picnic dinner, or arrive early to dine at one of the restaurants nearby.
Find a full list of weekly car show themes and the lineup of concert bands at DowntownElCajon.com.
SANTEE SUMMER CONCERTS CONTINUE NOW THROUGH AUGUST 17
Santee officials say it’s music to their ears –the city’s Summer Concerts taking stage on outdoor concerns running each Thursday night through August 17th, for the July 4th week.
MT. HELIX FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL AUGUST 19
You’re invited to don your cowboy boots and wrangle up the gang for the Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival on the evening of August 19th.
This year’s event features a Wild West theme, food and wine tasting from local restaurants and beverage companies, as well as artists, live and silent auctions, live music, sunset views from atop Mt. Helix. and dancing under the stars.
For tickets, visit mthelixpark.org/.
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