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By Miriam Raftery
August 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Grape Stomp, Barona Powwow, Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue, and the Julian Arts Guild Fall Show.
Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Ramona Grape Stomp, Alley Cat Artwalk in El Cajon, the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Apple Festival, Apple Tea Time, the hot new dance show Bamboozled, a Twilight Tasting at the Trails, an International Day of Peace celebration in La Mesa, Julian Music Festival, a reception with artist Jack Jordan, Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon Gala, Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, and more.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
THIS WEEK
BARONA POW-WOW SEPT. 1-3
The 47th annual Barona pow-wow will be held September 1-3 at the Barona reservation pow-wow grounds in Lakeside. Native American dancers from across the United States will compete for prizes and the public is welcome to attend. You can also shop for Native American arts, crafts, jewelry items and more, plus sample foods such as Indian fry bread tacos.
For details, visit Barona Powwow on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/BaronaPowwow/)
JULIAN GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 2
You’re invited to stomp grapes and drink wine at the Menghini Winery, host of the 21st annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa this September 2 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. This unique event invites you to immerse yourself in the old-world Italian experience, tasting wines from ten local wineries, humming to Italian tunes by Roman Holiday, trying your hand at bocce ball, eating and shopping. This year a falconry demonstration has been added to the list of attractions, where you can watch these regal birds “volare.”
To really enter into the festive spirit, attendees are encouraged to dress as I Love Lucy or their favorite Italian character. Where else can you experience the unforgettable feeling of grapes squishing between your bare toes? Tickets are available at www.juliangrapestomp.com.
DESCANSO DEEP PIT BARBECUE SEPT. 3
Savor the flavors of slow-cooked barbecue beef at Descanso’s 80th annual Deep Pit Barbecue on September 3rd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church.
In addition to delicious food, you can enjoy boot-scootin’ country Western music by Smith and Western, crafts, vendors, kids’ games, crafts, and prize drawing.
For more information, visit https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/savor-flavor-descanso-holds-80th-annual-deep-pit-barbecue-labor-day-weekend.
JULIAN ARTS GUILD FALL SHOW SEPT. 2-4
The Julian Arts Guild will hold its Fall Art Show on September 2, 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall (2129 Main Street, Julian).
This is a free event showcasing the works of talented Julian artists. Artworks displayed will include weaving, ceramics, gourd painting, drawing and mixed media.
For more information, you can visit JulianArtsGuild.org.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
JACK JORDAN ART SHOW OPENS SEPT. 9 WITH ARTIST’S RECEPTION
Works by Jack Jordan, a distinguished El Cajon artist, art teacher at Grossmont College and former art director of the Evening Tribune, will be displayed at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon from September 9-28, with a reception on September 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is a benefit event to honor Jordan and raise funds for the aging artist’s medical expenses.
Jordan’s works have been featured in national magazines such as Southwest Arts and Arts West; he was also chosen for inclusion in the book Contemporary Western Artists.
Many aspiring artists will recall learning to paint with help from How to Paint the Old West, written and illustrated by Jack Jordan and published by Walter Foster. Jordan also illustrated Brand Book Seven and Pathways to Freedom.
His works have been shown in many galleries in the United States and Mexico. His life-like portraits have included famous historical figures, from Native American chiefs to frontiersmen and military heroes. His landscapes and seascapes bring to life scenes from nature in the American west.
For more information on the Jack Jordan art show and reception, you can visit http://wieghorstmuseum.org/.
SYCUAN POW-WOW SEPT. 8-10
The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation will host its 28th annual Powwow on September 8th, 9th and 10th at the Sycuan reservation’s powwow grounds, next to the Sycuan Casino (5459 Sycuan Road, El Cajon).
This three-day tribal gathering attracts participants from across the nation and is open to the public. Sycuan’s powwow features traditional Native American dances, hand-drum contests, bird singing and dancing competitions, peon games, authentic Indian cuisine and more. You can find scheduling details at the Sycuan Powwow Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Sycuans-Annual-Pow-Wow-358010080969157/).
RAMONA GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 9
The first annual Ramona Grape Stomp is set for September 9th from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center pavilion at 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona.
To celebrate the harvest of grapes throughout the Ramona Valley, this fun family event will offer attendees the opportunity to squish grapes between their toes in grape-stomping challenges, with prizes awarded to the best stompers. Attendees can also taste award-winning wine from local wineries and check out food, arts and crafts, and children events.
The Ramona Grape Stomp is being presented by the Ramona Rotary Club, the Ramona Senior Center, and the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association. Proceeds will benefit education and support services provided by these organizations, such as a senior nutrition program, college scholarships, Fourth of July fireworks, the Ramona Boys & Girls Clubs and education on this fast-growing wine region.
You can get tickets at ramonagrapestomp.com.
TWILIGHT TASTING AT THE TRAILS SEPT. 9
Kiwanis clubs in East County are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 9.
The event, which will feature craft beers and wines from local breweries and wineries as well as a variety of tasty foods from local restaurants, will be in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. An opportunity drawing will also be held.
For tickets, you can call Kiwanis at (619) 212-9132.
ALLEY CAT ART WALK SEPT 15 IN EL CAJON
You're invited to the Alley Cat Art Walk on September 15th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy an evening of art while visiting local galleries, also savoring food and drinks, plus and live bluegrass and jazz music in the alley between Rea Avenue and East Main Street in downtown El Cajon.
Arts and crafts vendors will have displays and products for sale, and guests can win prizes. Proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, which assists developmentally disabled adults. For more information, you can visit www.stmsc.org.
JULIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL SEPT. 16
The Julian Music Festival celebrates the end of summer on September 16 at the Menghini Winery in Julian from 1 to 7 p.m. The festival features Americana, pop rock, Latin jazz, adult contemporary, folk, Celtic music and more.
Tickets are required and are available at https://julianmusicfestival.com/
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: SEPT. 16 IN LAKESIDE
Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy will present its 11th annual Once in a Blue Moon Gala and Auction at the River Valley Equestrian Center on the evening of September 16th.
You’re invited to help honor partners in conservation and raise funds for science programs for kids. This year’s event includes dinner, an auction and an exhibition polo match.
You can learn more about the Lakeside River Park Conservancy and get tickets for Once in a Blue Moon by clicking the events tab at LakesideRiverPark.org.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SEPT. 17 IN LA MESA
The Interfaith Council of La Mesa invites the public to join millions of people around the world participating in activities to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 17th. The La Mesa event will be held starting at 3 p.m. in Aztec Park (7945 Morocco Drive), La Mesa.
A program will feature speakers from various faiths and traditions, as well as music. Over 20 peace-promoting organizations will be represented. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on as you embrace peace with people around the world.
For more information, you can visit www.InterfaithLaMesa.org.
LEMON GROVE LIONS SALSA FIESTA SEPT. 16
The Lemon Grove Lions Club is hosting a Salsa y Salsa Fiesta on September 16th from 6 to 9 p.m. to raise money to buy new bleachers for Lemon Grove Little League.The event will be held at the Monte Vista auditorium (2211 Massachusetts Ave.) in Lemon Grove. There will be salsa tasting and salsa dancing, as well as a taco cart, drinks, raffle and silent auction prizes.
Lemon Grove Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Mendoza says the bleachers have safety concerns, adding. “Lemon Grove is one of the poorest communities in San Diego. “Our Little League has been here for some 50 years and is showing its age, so our Lions Club adopted it as our project."
The cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Contact jennifermendozalg@gmail.com for tickets or to enter the salsa tasting contest.
JULIAN APPLE DAYS FESTIVAL SEPT. 23-24
If you love apples, the Julian Apple Days Festival on September 23rd and 24th is the place to be. Located at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive) in historic Julian, the event features Julian’s famous apple pie, gold panning demonstrations, a falconry performance, live music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and more.
This festival hearkens back to the early 1900s, when Julian won a prestigious award from an apple growers association and began a fall Apple Day festival. The town now has a two-month-long Apple Days celebration culminating with the Apple Festival and the coronation of Mr. and Mrs. Apple Days.
You can learn more at http://www.VisitJulian.com and click on the calendar of events to find details on the Apple Days Festival and many more fall festivities.
JULIAN APPLE TIME TEA SEPT. 21-25
As the days start to shorten and the mountain air turns nippy, our thoughts drift to warm drinks and apples, and then to Julian. Now you can indulge during the season with an apple-themed tea at Julian Tea & Cottage Arts.
From September 21st through 25th, they are offering an apple-themed menu highlighting that Julian specialty. Tucked away a block from the busy Main Street in a historical home (at 2124 Third Street), their "special-tea" features Hungarian apple soup, apple themed finger sandwiches, scones with apple butter, an apple dessert, and, of course, fine teas. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice.
Seatings are at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. For a menu and reservations, you can visit http://juliantea.com.
BAMBOOZLED: KIDZ DANZ KOMPANY SHOW SEPT. 23-24
Kidz Danz Kompany, the acclaimed children’s dance troupe based in La Mesa, presents “Bamboozled” at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego) on September 22nd and 23rd at 7 p.m.
“Bamboozled” is a celebration of love and all it encompasses, from sorrow and acceptance to family and human friendship. The show’s numbers range from a celebration of Elton John’s works to Psalms for the Children of Syrian, also including a fast-paced dance titled Tunisian Nights and Shimmy Sam, an upbeat tap number that just may have you dancing in your seats.
For tickets to Bamboozled, you can visit visionarydancetheatre.org.
LA MESA OKTOBERFEST SEPT. 29-OCT. 1
Celebrating its 44th year, the popular La Mesa Oktoberfest will run from Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st bringing three days of “Prost”, or cheer.
In addition to live German music and other entertainment, many vendors and crafts, you can also enjoy a biergarten serving up German and craft beers, plus new this year, craft cocktails.
For more information, you can visit www.LaMesaOktoberfest.org.
OKTOBERFEST IN EL CAJON SEPT. 29-OCT.1 AND OCT. 6-8
The German America Club of San Diego hosts its annual Oktoberfest at its headquarters (1017 Mollison Ave.) in El Cajon over two weekends, September 29th through October 1st and again October 6th through 8th.
You can feast on authentic German fare, from roast ox on a spit to German pancakes, sauerkraut, and bratwurst. A German band flown in from Bavaria will perform German music ranging from polkas and waltzes to beer drinking songs. You’ll also find vendors selling a variety of crafts.
For details, you can visit http://www.germanclubsandiego.org/.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS OCTOBER 13-22
Step back in time to a fur trading and colonial camp from the 1700s to 1840s at the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous. This event takes place October 13 through 22 at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel.
You can see demonstrations of survival skills such as cooking, archery, tomahawk-throwing, black powder shooting and tool making. For more information, you can visit the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous page on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/Laguna-Mountain-Rendezvous-154665167884580/)
KIDS CARE FEST OCTOBER 14 IN LAKESIDE
Grossmont Healthcare District presents Kids Care Fest on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. This event will offer potentially life-saving healthcare screenings as well as dental and vision screenings at no cost as well as safety demonstrations, flu shots, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, health information, plus fun activities such as pony rides and a rock-climbing wall.
For details, visit kidscarefest.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.
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