DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 23-NOV. 2

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By Miriam Raftery

Radio show hosted by Rebecca Williamson and Leon Thompson

October 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes some spooky Halloween happenings, a picnic with parrots, and our very own Party with the Press benefit event, all this weekend right here in East County. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a wine festival at a castle in Ramona and a hot chili cook-off in Lemon Grove.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!

PARTY WITH THE PRESS OCT. 26

East County Magazine invites you to our very own “Party with the Press” this Sunday from 4 to 7 pm. at the Next Door Wine and Craft Brew Bar, located on El Cajon Boulevard at 72nd Street, just east of La Mesa.  Guests can savor wine tasting, craft brew tasting, pasta, appetizers and desserts, an East County Trivia quiz and prizes galore.  Plus you can cook up your best dish to be judged by our very own East County Eater restaurant reviewer! You can mix and mingle with our radio hosts, writers and editors – all to benefit East County Magazine’s award-winning nonprofit media outlet. For tickets ($20) and details, visit www.EastCountyMagazine.org.

HAUNTFEST ON MAIN OCT. 24 IN EL CAJON

The 3rd Annual HauntFest on Main Street will provide thrills for all ages  on Friday, October 24 from 5 to 10 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  The annual family friendly event features live music on two stages by Mighty Untouchables, Fabulous Pelicans, and Ryan Hiller.  A costume contest will be held on the Main Street Stage.

There will also be expanded carnival rides and a game area on Rea Street, a car display, a terror truck, candy trails, kids’ zone with outdoor movies, a balloon artist and face painting, performances by TNT dancers, Rubio’s Performing Arts Studio, and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. Other activities include craft and game booths, a magic show, inflatable jumpers for kids, a pumpkin patch and more.

For additional information, visit http://www.hauntfestonmain.com/.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS OCT. 23-26

Young Actors’ Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday through Sunday, October 23 through 26 at the Young Actors’ Theatre, located at 9620 Campo Road in Spring Valley. The comedy horror rock musical tells the tale of a florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on – people! The music features ‘60s style rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown sounds.  For tickets, visit www.YATSanDiego.org.

CRUZ’N AT THE LAKES OCT. 24

All makes, models and years of automotive history are welcome to partake in Cruz’n the Lakes Car Show at Santee Lakes.  The last t Cruz’n event this season take place on Friday October 24th beneath the shade trees at the northwest corner of Lake 1, where show time starts at 3:00 and ends at 7 p.m.  complete with music and barbecue grills. Bring stories, a chair, fishing pole and picnic basket. Prize drawings will also be held at this event, sponsored by the Classic Movers & Shakers Car Club and Mobile Event Radio.  

LEMON GROVE LIVE ON THE PROMENADE OCT. 25

CityBeat teams up with the Lemon Grove Historical Society to present Lemon Grove Live! on October 25th from 5-7 p.m. at the Main Street Promenade’s ampitheater, located at the corner of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue.  Bring a cushion and enjoy this free concert featuring a wide variety of street musicians including  opera, rock,  indie folk, saxophone and world music.

BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL OCT. 24-26

The Borrego Days Desert Festival takes place October 24th through 26th in Borrego Springs as the community welcomes snowbirds to the desert warmth and the start of the fall season. Activities include a parade complete with floats, bands, dancers and equestrians; a flyover, live entertainment on the Main Stage, and a car show. Kids will enjoy a carnival fun zone with inflatable water slides, obstacle course and bull ride. Visitors can also shop at arts and craft vendors, savor foods including gourmet food truck items, beer and a beverage garden.  For more information, visit the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce website (http://www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays/). 

SPOOKY HAYRIDE OCT. 25

The Julian Mining Company will host a “Spooky Hayride” on October 25th at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. complete with tales of early miners in this historic gold rush town.  Advance reservations are required. Tickets can be reserved at www.JulianMiningCompany.com . Arrive a half hour early for free popcorn and apple cider.

RAMONA RANCH WINERY OKTOBERFEST OCT. 25

Ramona Ranch Winery invites guests to celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 25rth from 2 to 5 p.m.  The festivities include a live performance by Celia Lawley, a singing and clogging fiddler player/songwriter who has performed extensively across the U.S. and Canada. Trezette’s Catering will offer bratwurst sandwiches topped with onion/pepper or sauerkraut, along with bacon-horseradish potato salad.  The winery is located on Highway 78 in Ramona. For directions, reservations and tickets ($10) visit http://www.ramonaranch.net/

PICNIC WITH THE PARROTS OCT. 26

You’re invited to picnic with the parrots at SoCal Parrot’s wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamul on Sunday, October 26th from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Guests will enjoy a full day of animal encounters, fun educational activities, live art, experts’ presentations, eco-oriented booths, silent auctions and raffles.  For tickets and details visit www.SoCalParrot.org.



PUMPKIN EXPRESS: LAST RIDES OCT. 26

This Saturday, October 26th, is the last date for the the Pumpkin Express at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. Ride the rails to the Great Pumpkin Patch, then tour the Haunted Train, where each child gets to pick out his or her own pumpkin and decorate it. Advance reservations are required for this popular event.  For times, ticket prices, reservations and directions to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, visit www.PSRM.org.

 

Now for a preview of coming attractions…

 

RAMONA ART AND WINE FESTIVAL NOV. 1

The 2nd annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival will be held at the historic Amy Strong Castle at Mt. Woodson in Ramona on November 1st from noon to 5 p.m.  Guests will enjoy tasting handcrafted wine from area wineries and food prepared by area chefs. Artists will display and sell their work. Highlighting the event is a live auction of wine barrels painted by local artists.

The proceeds from the Festival will be used to benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, Inc. Not normally open to the public, The Amy Strong Castle at Mt. Woodson is one of only two “castles” in San Diego County. While tasting wine and checking out the art, guests can explore this 27-room 12,000 square foot castle completed in 1921 as the dream home for dress designer Amy Strong.  For ticket information and reservations visit www.RamonaArtAndWineFest.net.

 

CHILI COOK-OFF IN LEMON GROVE NOV. 1

If you’re looking for a hot time,  you can head out to Lemon Grove for 10th annual Western Roundup and Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.  The event organized by the Soroptomist International of Lemon Grove will benefit holiday giving via the Lemon Grove Food Bank to help needy families.  Celebrity chefs will compete for the coveted Chili Champ Trophy judged by diners and courageous celebrity judges. The organizers promise,”good grub”, “boot stomping” live music and dancing, along with a raffle and silent auction. Western attire is encouraged and families are welcome.  The event will be held at St. John of the Cross Social Hall at 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove.  For more information, e-mail soroptgloria@gmail.com or call(619)303-6346.



That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at http://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

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County.

 


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