DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JUNE 13-JULY 7

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By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hikes in local parks after dark,  El Cajon movies in the park and more movies in county parks, Santee’s Summer Concerts series, Wags and Wine at the Water Conservation Garden, a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine and a Passport Through Time along historic highways in East County.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Sha Na Na. live at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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

PARKS AFTER DARK

The County’s Parks After Dark series of activities continues, with two outings scheduled for this weekend. 

There’s a star party and family hike at the Santa Ysabel Preserve West on Saturday, June 16th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.  Guests will join staff from the Curiosity Peak Observatory and Julian Dark Sky Network for an easy to moderate hike.  Learn about local history, plants and wildlife along the way, then stop to gaze at the stars through telescopes.

Then on Sunday at Lake Morena from 6 to 8 p.m., you’re invited to join a sunset stroll to the dam.  For information on these and other county park events, visit www.SDparks.org.

EL CAJON MOVIES IN THE PARK

The city of El Cajon’s Recreation Department invites you to enjoy 10 free Summer Movies in the Park from June 16th through August 18tg at parks throughout the City of El Cajon! 

The first two movies will be Despicable Me 3 showing Saturday, June 15th at Hillside Park (840 Buena Terrace) and then on Saturday, June 23rd, Lego Batman will be shown at Wells Park (1553 East Madison Ave).

Come early for pre-movie activities. Screenings start at dark. For information on more El Cajon movies in the park, you can visit the city’s recreation department website at www.ElCajonRec.org.

COUNTY MOVIES IN THE PARK JUNE 15

Three county parks in East County will also be showing movies this Saturday, June 15th starting 15 minutes after sunset.

At San Carlos Community Park, Mary Poppins will be showing. The Boss Baby will be on the big screen at Flinn Springs County Park and also at Pine Valley County Park. Bring a blanket or beach chair to enjoy these movies under the stars.

SANTEE’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES; THURSDAY NIGHTS ALL SUMMER

Santee’s summer concert series 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 on June 21st, the fun starts at 5:30 with country night. 

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).

WAGS AND WINE JUNE 19

The dog days of summer are here – with “Wags and Wine” on Tuesday, June 19 from 5 to 7 p.m.  You’re invited to bring your furry friend for a special evening stroll through the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

The garden will be open late, with wine to sip as you walk among beautiful plans and trees with your canine companion. Cool treats and activities are a must for your dog!  Pre-registration ($8) is required. (Register Here). Get details at www.TheGarden.org. 

PASSPORT THROUGH TIME JUNE 23

The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to join in the Passport Through Time fun ride on Saturday, June 23 along Historic Highways 67, 78, 79 and 80 in San Diego’s East County.  Cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are welcome to participate.

The ride begins at 8:30 a.m. at Indian Motorcycle in El Cajon. The first stop is the Lakeside Rodeo grounds. Next, you’ll head north into the mountains through Ramona with a stop at the Oasis Camel Dairy, into Julian where you’ll visit the Julian Mining Company, down to Descanso for stops at a local market and boutique, followed by a visit to Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs before ending up at Por Favor for lunch in El Cajon at noon.

The outing includes a passport for the occasion, continental breakfast, lunch, commemorative coin and opportunity drawing.

TO RSVP and reserve space ($15) call 619-440-6161 (or click here: bit.ly/fundrive18)

QUEEN BEE BRUNCH JUNE 23 IN ALPINE

Alpine will celebrate its honey history at the 2nd Annual Queen Bee Brunch on Saturday, June 23rd, which promises to “bee” a special party. Complete with a fashion show, vendors and mimosas, the brunch is presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce and the Alpine Community Center.

The celebration runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center.  For tickets, contact the Alpine Chamber at (619) 445-2722.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

SHA NA NA LIVE AT SYCUAN JUNE 29

Sha Na Na debuted in the ‘50s, performed at the now legendary Woodstock festival, in the movie Grease, and on their own Sha Na Na TV show. Founded by students at Columbia University in New York, the band has continued through the years with new members from Columbia joining three of the original band members still on tour.

On June 29th, Sha Na Na brings its distinctive sound to Sycuan’s Live & Up Close theatre for a live performance at 8 p.m. For tickets, you can visit www.Sycuan.com.

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 StPiusXJamul.com. This event is limited to those ages 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. 

LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FEST JULY 4

The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest will celebrate Independence Day on July 4th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live bands, food, fun, and a fireworks finale.  The festival will be held on the San Carlos side of Lake Murray, but the full lake will be open during the day for fishing and other family-fun activities.

For more information, you can visit www.LakeMurrayFireworks.org.

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.

DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 7

The 49th Annual Descanso Days Parade and Fair takes place on Saturday, July 7th.  The Fair is held at the historic Descanso Town Hall on Viejas Grade in Descanso. The parade rolls out in front of the town hall starting at 10 a.m. – but arrive early, since the road closes at 9:30 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Dog Days of Summer” and will include Paws for Purple Hearts, which trains therapy dogs for veterans. There will also be country music from noon to 5 p.m. by Hill Country, food, beer and wine, vendor booths, a kids’ area with face painting and crafts, and plenty of good times.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more in the calendar and events section at our website, www.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!


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