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East County News Service
November 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Veterans Day celebration and Heroes Concert at Grossmont Center in La Mesa, a ceremony honoring veterans in El Cajon, plus stargazing, mountain biking, and Native American flute music at Mission Trails Regional Park.
Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including a Swing with Santa golf event at the Sycuan Resort, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, the Mother Goose Parade and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Holiday Hay Ride activities in Santa Ysabel, a Julian Country Christmas, a Christmas Cabaret, and La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
THIS WEEK
VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES AT GROSSMONT CENTER NOV. 10-11
On Friday, November 10th and Saturday, November 11th Grossmont Center is pulling out all the stops to honor our nation’s veterans. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday evening in the Courtyard with a concert by the Navy's Southwest 32nd Street Brass Band, which will be performing traditional New Orleans jazz, Navy favorites and pop tunes.
On November 10th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Oasis Wellness Center at Grossmont Center will be hosting a technology fair. From noon until 7 p.m. Max FM and the Mighty 1090 will put on a celebration, complete with Hummer photo ops. From 3-5 p.m. all veterans, active and former military and their families are invited to an ice cream social, and from 5 - 7 p.m. all are welcome to the Heroes Concert next to the food court.
All through the day veterans will be treated to (free) haircuts by Rico's Barber Shop as well as (free) makeup sessions and skin analysis by Avia Hair Salon and Day Spa.
Grossmont Center is partnering with the La Mesa and East County Chambers of Commerce, Crisis House, La Mesa Parks and Recreation and the East County Homeless Taskforce as well as many of the Center's businesses at this memorable event to celebrate the men and women who have served our country.
VIEJAS ICE RINK NOW OPEN; HOLIDAY ON ICE SHOW NOV. 11
The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland. On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice show and lighting of a large holiday see.
The rest of the season, visitors can glide around the rink under the glow of holiday lights, also enjoying holiday treats and holiday shopping. Rental skates are available. For details and hours visit https://viejas.com/voc-entertainment/ice-rink/.
HONORING OUR VETERANS NOV. 11 IN EL CAJON
The city of El Cajon and the El Cajon Veteran Commission will host a special ceremony honoring our veterans on Veterans Day, November 11th. The ceremony will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Plaza (200 Civic Center Way) in downtown El Cajon and the community is invited.
MISSION TRAILS FALL ACTIVITIES
Mission Trails Regional Park has more fall activities coming up this week, including stargazing, mountain biking and Native American flute music at Mission Trails Regional Park.
On Friday, November 10th you can spend an evening stargazing at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground at 7 p.m. On Saturday, November 11th, you can go mountain biking with a ranger, starting at 9 a.m. at the West Sycamore staging area.
Then on Sunday, November 12, listen to music by the San Diego Native American Flute Circle at 1 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater. Find details and directions at MTRP.org.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…
SWING WITH SANTA NOV. 17
St. Madeleine Sophie's Center invites golfers to "Swing with Santa" at the Sycuan Resort in Dehesa on Friday, November 17. Golfers will enjoy a day on the Pine Glen Par 3 executive course, enjoy lunch, bid on silent auction items and support the good work of St. Madeleine Sophie's Center.
The center provides unique programs for over 400 adults with developmental disabilities.
If you would like to come swing with Santa, you can get more information or register online at STMSC.org.
LIVING WITH LIONS: NOV. 18 AT RAMONA RANCH WINERY
If you’re interested in learning about local wildlife, you’re invited to attend “Living with Lions” this Saturday, November 18th at 1 p.m. at the Ramona Ranch Winery.
You’ll hear about local mountain lions roaming San Diego County in this special presentation by the Mountain Lion Foundation. In addition, learn about the Julian Project focused on increasing safety for people, pets, livestock and lions.
The program includes info on genetic diversity of these cougars. The owners of Ramona Ranch Winery, the first certified California sustainable winery and vineyard, say they believe cougars are “an important part of a balanced system, much like we believe our balanced system creates a healther vineyard and subsequently, a better wine.”
Visitors will also get tips on what to do—and not do – if you encounter a mountain lion, as well as measures to stay safe. The talk is complimentary to help educate the community on how to co-exist with wildlife.
For more information, you can visit www.RamonaRanchWines.com.
MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 19
The 71st Annual Mother Goose Parade will be on November 19th, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This year’s parade theme is “Family Traditions!” The parade begins at 1 p.m. You can see over 100 colorful and exciting parade entries, including floats, marching bands, clowns, equestrians, local dignitaries, TV celebrities, and Santa Claus! The parade Grand Marshal is Randy Jones, former San Diego Padre and CY Young award winner.
The parade route runs along downtown’s Main Street, from El Cajon Boulevard eastbound, to First Street. This popular parade is one of the largest parades in Southern California and a wonderful way to officially kick off the holiday season. You can learn more at www.mothergooseparade.org.
POMEGRANATE DAYS AT THE OASIS CAMEL DAIRY NOV. 24-26
The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to Pomegranate Days on November 24th through 26th.
You can cuddle with camels, feed them apples and pomegranates, watch an exotic bird show and a turkey stampede, shop for camel’s milk soaps and lotions, and see the Russell Brothers family circus performing magical feats beneath a big top tent.
For details on this one-of-a-kind event, you can visit www.CamelDairy.com.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON MAIN NOV. 25
The city of El Cajon invites you to Holiday Lights on Main on November 25th from noon to 7 p.m., in Prescott Promenade, with the lighting of a giant holiday tree at 6 p.m.
Activities include ice skating, Santa’s Village, carnival rides, live music, food and holiday shopping. For a map and more information, you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.
HOLIDAY HAY RIDE ACTIVITIES AT FORT CROSS OLD TIMEY ADVENTURES NOV. 25
Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel, (4424 State Route 78) just outside of Julian, will be offering a holiday hayride activity package on November 25th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities include a holiday hayride with caroling, candle dipping, rustic ornament making, cider pressing, a country hoedown, petting zoo, tomahawk throwing, rope making, a ghost town, slingshot range, hoops and stick relay races, plan racing, nature walks and a tire swing.
For more information, visit http://www.FortCross.com.
JULIAN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS NOV. 25
Christmas comes to Julian every year in an old-fashioned way with a Country Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, November 25th to start the holiday season. Festivities start at 2 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. including lighting of a giant Christmas tree in Pioneer Park, just one block from Julian’s historic town hall.
You’ll feel a nip in the air, sniff wood fires, and maybe catch a glimpse of snow capped mountains surrounding town. The holiday season in Julian also offers an opportunity to shop at small boutiques and craft shows, without crowds or lines, for one-of-a-kind gifts.
After the lighting of the giant tree donated by the Julian Merchants’ Association, children can also enjoy visits with Santa Claus.
20th ANNUAL BONFIRE, SKATING, HAYRIDE IN LEMON GROVE DEC. 1
The City of Lemon Grove will hold its 20th annual holiday "Light up the 'Grove" bonfire on Dec. 1 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. The bonfire lighting at 6 p.m. will be preceded by game booths, rock climbing wall, hayrides, arts and crafts, live music and skating on an actual ice rink. Free hot chocolate and outreach from the city's non profit groups, including the Lemon Grove Historical Society's traditional open house, will be part of the fun. Event hours are extended this year to mark Lemon Grove's 40th anniversary of incorporation.
For information, call 619-825-3800 or visit https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/home/showdocument?id=3549.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ON MAINE DEC. 2 IN LAKESIDE
Lakeside’s Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas on Maine Street in downtown Lakeside on December 2nd from 4 to 9 p.m. This event features Santa Claus, craft booths, vendors, jumps and rides for kids, performances by local school students, and the lighting of a community Christmas tree. Find details at www.LakesideChamber.org and at www.LakesideRodeo.com.
A CHRISTMAS CABARET DEC. 1-17
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa invites you to get in the holiday spirit at a Christmas Cabaret showing December 1st through 17th. Lamplighters presents an uplifting showcase of local talent performing seasonal favorites not only from Christmas, but many December holidays as well. For tickets and details, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com.
LA MESA’S HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE DEC. 9-10
The La Mesa Village Association hosts its annual Holiday in the Village celebration on Saturday, December 9th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stroll through the streets of La Mesa's historic downtown and enjoy live music and dance, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids' area with holiday movies and activities. For more information you can visit http://lamesavillageassociation.org/.
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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