DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JUNE 9-JULY 7

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By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Star Party at Oakoasis preserve in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, the Julian Dance and Back Country BBQ, Art in the Park and a firefighters breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band at Harry Griffith Park, a Taste of La Mesa, and the start of Santee’s summer concert series.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s star-spangled Fourth of July Parade, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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

STAR PARTY JUNE 9 AT OAKOASIS IN LAKESIDE

County Parks have a series of “parks in the dark” adventures this summer. The next one is a Star Party at Oakoasis preserve in Lakeside on Saturday June 9 from 8 to 10 p.m..

Arrive at sunset to search for a twilight hike to search for bats and scorpions. Stick around to view the stars with the San Diego Astronomy Association! ( For more details, you can check out the event on Facebook.)

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. 

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/.

ART IN THE PARK JUNE 10 IN LA MESA

Foothills Art Association invites everyone to enjoy “Art in the Park”,  an art show and sale at MacArthur Park (4975 Memorial Drive) in La Mesa on Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.   

Many local artists will be displaying and selling their artwork during a festive day in La Mesa’s newest community park. See the art, listen to the music, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy a family day at MacArthur Park on the site of a former golf course now dedicated as a public park.

FIREFIGHTERS PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 10 IN LA MESA

On Sunday, June 10, Heartland firefighters of La Mesa will present a pancake breakfast fundraiser at La Mesa Fire Station 11 (8034 Allison Avenue). The event, suitable for all ages, will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Funds from the event will be donated to benefit the Heartland Fire Explorers Program. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the breakfast.

This year’s event will feature emergency preparedness training.

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).

MOVIES IN THE PARK JUNE 15

Three county parks will be showing movies on 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.

 

 

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

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

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.

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!

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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