DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 10-NOV. 24

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East County News Service

October 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features Matilda the Musical in Spring Valley, a production of On Golden Pond in La Mesa, a Chamber music series at Cuyamaca College, Fall at the farm in Julian, Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty at the Water Conservation Garden, a pumpkin patch at Summers Past Farms, a Fair Trade gift fair in La Mesa, concerts at the Magnolia Center, and the Julian Autumn Jubilee.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Borrego Days Festival and Parade, Pints 4 the Park, a Green Homes Tour, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, costume contests for people and pets at Bates Nut Farm, spooky camp overs at Lake Jennings and at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Trunk or Treat in El Cajon, a Cultural Arts Expo in El Cajon, and the Mother Goose Parade.

 

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

MATILDA, THE MUSICAL OCT. 10-27 IN SPRING VALLEY

 

Young Actors Theatre presents “Matilda, The Musical” at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley. The musical opened October 10th and continues through October 27th.

 

Inspired by the book by author Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Matilda: The Musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.  For tickets, you can visit https://www.yatsandiego.org.

 

LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS OCT. 10-19

You’re invited to step back in time at the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, an authentic Rocky Mountain fur traders’ encampment from the early 1800s.  Relive this historic past with demonstrations of primitive survival skills such as tool making, cooking, tomahawk throwing, archery and black power target shooting. Also enjoy music and more.

You can also buy a medallion and earn a chance to win a bronze Mountain Man Statue that is a reproduction of the original by artist Frederic Remington.

Campers with primitive period-style gear and clothing are also welcome to participate.

Find details, directions and registration forms at http://www.lagunamountainrendezvous.com/.

ON GOLDEN POND OCT. 11 THROUGH NOV. 10 IN LA MESA

Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents “On Golden Pond” October 11th through November 10th. The play’s plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. Through the years they are visited by their daughter with her fiancé and his son. The play explores the often turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage. 

CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE 

 

The ECHO Chamber Music Series hosts 14 concerts at Cuyamaca College’s Performing Arts Theatre this season, featuring classical music performers such as Jason Vieaux, Bach Collegium, the Dalí Quartet, members of the San Diego Symphony and other internationally acclaimed musicians who have performed across the globe.

The season runs from fall of this year through June 4th of next year.  Find a full list of performers and ticket information at EchoChamberMusic.org

 

FALL AT THE FARM EACH OCTOBER WEEKEND

 

Julian Farm and Orchard invites you to Fall at the Farm, each weekend now through October 31st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fun includes hayrides, apple cider pressing, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, berry and apple picking. You can also see an apple pie making demonstration, or try your hand at archery, candle-dipping or axe-throwing. There’s also a seasonal farm store featuring country wares and more.

You can find more information at JulianMiningCompany.com and click on the U-pick link to find activities at Julian Farm and Orchard, under the same family ownership.  

MS.SMARTY-PLANTS GOES BATTY OCT. 12 AT THE GARDEN

 

Are you ready to have fun and learn about creatures whooo go BOOOO in the night?  The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to don your Halloween costume for “Ms. Smarty-Plants Goes Batty” on October 12 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

 

This event features a Ms. Smarty-Plants™ Show, Trick or Treat Trails, and Creepy Critter Encounters for a SPOOKtcular good time. For tickets, visit www.TheGarden.org

 

LA MESA FAIR TRADE’S GIFT FAIRE OCT. 13

 

Just in time for  holiday shopping, La Mesa Fair Trade will host a Gift Faire on Sunday, Oct. 13th from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall in La Mesa. 

The event features sales of hand-crafted fair trade gifts, home décor, clothing and jewelry through a variety of vendors. There will also be fair trade coffee, teas, ice cream and chocolate to savor.

The goal of fair trade is to assure fair wages to create brighter futures for families in developing countries.

For more information, you can call (619) 466-3241.

VOCALIST LILLIAN PALMER AT MISSION TRAILS CHURCH OCT. 13

Vocalist Lillian Palmer has performed in concert at performing arts centers across our region and at the Old Globe Theatre. Next up, she’ll be singing at Mission Trails Church, located at 4880 Zion Ave. in San Diego near Kaiser Hospital, on Oct. 13th from 3-4 p.m.

 

She began her vocal study at age 15 beginning with classical music.  She then moved on to musical theater and discovered her passion for American popular music. Now she sings jazz, swing, Latin and music from the "Great American Songbook.”

 

Her concert is part of the Second Sundays concert series held each month at the Mission Trails Church.

  

JULIAN AUTUMN JUBILEE EACH WEEKEND IN OCTOBER

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its Julian Autumn Jubilee each weekend in October.  Fort Cross is located on Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian. Hours are Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

All are welcome to enjoy visiting the U-pick pumpkin patch.  Additional activities are available for a fee and packages are available. Options include cider pressing and tasting, mini pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, reptile show, hayride, hoedown, candle making, tire swings, archery, tomahawk throwing, and paint balls at the Ghost Town slingshot range. 

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with views of Volcan Mountain. You can find more information at www.fortcross.com.

MAGNOLIA CENTER CONCERTS

 

The Magnolia Center, formerly known as the East County Performing Arts Center, has a full season of stellar entertainment lined up. 

 

Concerts coming up in the last half of October are triple Grammy award winner Bruce Hornsby, who formerly performed with the Grateful Dead, and his band,theNoisemakers, the Taj Express, Master Chef Junior, Latin American singer Leo Dan, Grammy award winning singers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, the legendary singer Englebert Humperdink and progressive metal band Dream Theater.

 

For tickets and the full lineup, visit www.MagnoliaSanDiego.com or the Magnolia on Facebook. 

 

BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL OCT. 18-20

 

The 52nd annual Borrego Days Desert Festival in Borrego Springs will be held Friday through Sunday, October 18ththrough 20th. This year’s theme is “Bloom in Borrego.”

 

The Borrego Days Parade will roll out at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th, including a multi-plane flyover before the parade begins. The parade itself features floats, Western trick-riding cowboys and their horses, marching bands,  plus classic cars with the Borrego Springs queens and princesses.

 

At Christmas Circle, you can visit booths offering artwork, handmake goods, crafts and foods. There’s also a carnival fun zone for kids and for adults, a beer garden and live music to dance into the sunset and under the clear starry night sky.

 

For more information, visit https://borregodays.com/

 

PINTS 4 THE PARK OCT. 19 IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

Anza Borrego Foundation is kicking off the fall season with its fourth annual “Pints 4 the Park” as part of Borrego Days on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

The event includes tastes from microbreweries, live music and food from Carmelita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina, all to benefit the foundation which supports California’s largest state park, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The event will be held at the Mall in Borrego Springs and tickets are available at www.TheABF.org

 

GREEN HOMES TOUR OCT. 19-20

The San Diego Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization promoting sustainable building and community practices in San Diego, will host its 10th annual Green Homes Tour on Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20.

The tour has been expanded this year to two full days, showcasing a diverse collection of the most innovative eco-friendly homes in our region.  Saturday will include homes in central San Diego, East County and South County. Sunday will focus on homes in North County.

 

Find more information at sdgreenhomestour.org/

 

HAUNTFEST OCT. 25 IN EL CAJON

 

HauntFest in downtown El Cajon is expected to draw around 40,000 visitors in Friday, October 25th from 5 to 10 p.m.  

 

The 8th annual HauntFest includes live music on two stages, costume contests on the Main Street stage, expanded carnival rides and games, candy challenge activities, a Kidz Zone, face painting, performances by TNT dancers and the Arts in Motion Crew and Junior Crew. There’s also the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Pumpkin Patch, craft and game booths, an LED rock wall, inflatable jumps for kids, showings of the first two Harry Potter movies and more.

 

Find more haunting details at www.HauntFest.org

PUMPKIN PATCH AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS HAS CORN MAZE AND MORE

“Fall is our favorite time at Summers Past Farms!” states an invitation to the Flinn Springs farm’s fun and festive pumpkin patch. You’ll also find a corn maze for kids and an inflatable jump, along with a field of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes to choose from.

 

The patch is open Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during October.  Summers Past Farms is located at 15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs, between El Cajon and Alpine.

 

For more information, visit www.SummersPastFarms.com.

COSTUME CONTESTS AT BATES NUT FARM

 

Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center has Halloween-themed events coming up including a Howl-o-Ween doggie costume contest and parade on October 26th and then a costume contest and parade for people on October 27th.  

 

Guests can also enjoy music, food and more.  For additional information and these and other events, you can visit www.BatesNutFarm.biz

 

SPOOKY CAMP-O-WEEN AT LAKE JENNINGS

 

Spooky stories and s’mores, campsite trick-or-treating, creepy crafts and a campsite decorating contest are all part of Spooky Camp-o-Ween at Lake Jennings the last two weekends in October.

 The grand prize in the costume contest is a camping weekend at the lake complete with boat rental and fishing permits.

For a full schedule of Spooky Camp-o-Ween events, activities and reservations, you can visit www.LakeJennings.org

 

LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS HOSTS SPOOKY CAMPOVER AND PUMPKIN BASH OCT. 25

 

You’re invited to pack your camping gear for a wild and ghoulish overnight adventure at Lions, Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine on Friday night, October 25th and Saturday morning, October 26th.

 

Camp under the stars alongside the rescued exotic animals, all in their secured habitats. 

 

The fun begins Friday evening with pumpkin carving, campfire songs, s’mores and hot cocoa, plus an animal trivia challenge.   

 

On Saturday morning, join in a costume contest and watch the animals enjoy their stuffed pumpkin treats during the 10 a.m. pumpkin bash.

 

Bring camping gear including tent, sleeping bag, flashlight or lantern, warm clothes and shoes, dinner, snacks and breakfast foods and a pumpkin or two to carve, plus a costume.

 

Guests must be age three or older for this event.

 

For tickets, visit https://www.lionstigersandbears.org

TRUNK OR TREAT OCT. 30 IN EL CAJON 

 

El Cajon’s Classic Cruise Nights ends its season October 30th with Trunk or Treat, including music, treats and a full street closure along Main Street in the heart of downtown El Cajon. 

 

For more information, you can visit downtownelcajon.com.

 

CULTURAL ARTS EXPO NOV. 9 IN EL CAJON

 

You’re invited to discover local and international artists at the 2019 Cultural Art Expo on Saturday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marriott in downtown El Cajon.

Guests can enjoy live music by the Jazilla Band, a local Latin jazz legend, savor food samples from 12 to 2 p.m., visit a wine and beer garden, and enjoy artworks including adobe sculptures by Enrieque Avilez form Mexico City, fish carving sculptures by award winner Bob Berry, works by local artist Grace Schleisher, plus workshops by local artist Barbara Young and more.

You can stop by East County Magazine’s booth at the Cultural Art Expo to meet local authors, artists and our editor!

This year, the event also draws inspiration from the Don’t Give Up Movement, which strives to help struggling people find hope and prevent suicides.  The event also honors the memory of local artist  Nolan, who died at age 18.

For tickets and details, you can visit https://artexpoatthemarriott.com/.

MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 24 IN EL CAJON

 

The Mother Goose Parade has been delighting children and families for 73 years. This year, the parade will roll out through downtown El Cajon on Sunday, November 24th, starting at 1 p.m.

 

The parade features an array of floats, marching bands, equestrians, clowns, local celebrities and Santa Claus to welcome in the start of the holiday season.  You can find the route and details at www.MotherGooseParade.org.  

 

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 soon with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!

 

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