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Plus previews of coming attractions
by Ariele Johannson
July 2, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has a run-down on 4th of July festivities throughout our inland region. No need to fight traffic to watch fireworks at the beach when you can choose from an array of venues right here in East County—where our cities and historic small towns show their patriotic spirit with parades, picnics, festivals and fireworks. You’ll hear about KNSJ radio’s anniversary celebration at Mission Trails.
Plus we’ll have a preview of some unique events coming up next week—from a firefighters’ fishing derby to outdoor musical theater, twilight walks, a star party, and a super full moon jazz concert amid fragrant fields of lavender!
CLASSIC CAR NIGHTS JULY 2 and 3
Classic car shows will be held in El Cajon and La Mesa during this holiday week. The Cajon Classic Cruises rolls out on Wednesday night, July 2nd, down the city’s Main Street for a “Salute to the Military,” while La Mesa’s Back to the ‘50s car night revs up on Thursday, July 3rd in La Mesa’s downtown village. Both events run from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Cajon Classic Cruises Website: www.downtownec.com.
Phone: 619-334-3000.
La Mesa Back to the 50s Car Show website: http://www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Car-Show.aspx.
DEMOCRATS HOST BBQ WITH CANDIDATES JULY 2
Congressional members Scott Peters and Susan Davis will speak at “Party in the Park” at Mission Trails Regional Visitors Center on Wednesday, July 2 at 6:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club, celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Area residents are also invited to join a sunset celebration of the history, the present, and the future of nature in the largest urban park in San Diego. There will be barbequed burgers and hot dogs, as well as the club’s annual pie contest to be judged by the dignitaries. The event will include discussions with additional candidates and politicians as well as presentations by Jay Wilson, Executive Director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. Actor Steve Haiman will portray George Cowles, the founder of Santee for whom Cowles Mountain is named.
Website: http://www.lamesafoothillsdemocraticclub.com.
OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERTS IN EL CAJON JULY 3 THIS WEEK
This week’s “Dinner and a Concert” series will be held on Thursday, July 3 (instead of the normal Friday night) and presents “The JackStraws Surf Band,” performing Beach Boys tunes from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
El Cajon “Dinner and a Concert” series: Prescott Promenade, 229 East Main St. Phone: 619-401-8858. Website: www.downtownec.com.
FIREWORKS AND JULY 4 PICNIC IN EL CAJON
The City of El Cajon will host its annual 4th of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park. The picnic begins at 1:00 p.m. with food, games, prizes, and train rides for children. Live musical entertainment begins at 3:00 p.m. with the highlight of the event—fireworks—at 9:00 p.m. The park is located at 1675 Madison Avenue. Arrive early for parking and to find the ideal spot for your picnic and viewing the fireworks.
SANTEE SALUTES EVENT JULY 4
The City of Santee will host its annual “Santee Salutes” event on July 4th from 3:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive in Santee.
This event includes live music featuring the “80z All Stars,” a patriotic ceremony, kids’ fun zone with rides and more, and the grand finale--a dazzling fireworks display.
Admission is free - though there is a fee at nearby parking lots - with parking costs supporting local youth sports leagues. Or you can take a free shuttle service from the Costco Parking lot to the event.
JULIAN FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 2014
Update: Julian's parade is cancelled due to a brush fire that is 15% contained as of July 3 at 7 p.m. to assure public safety, the CHP advises. The American Legion barbecue is still slated to be held.
There’s something for everyone at the Julian Fourth of July Parade 2014. The parade steps off at noon and rolls down Main Street from Julian High School to Frank Lane Park. Spectators along Main Street can expect to see the stars and stripes with the selection of “It’s a Grand Old Flag” as the theme for this annual patriotic celebration. There will be a line of antique tractors, a troupe of dancing gypsies, a pair of high stepping Percheron draft horses, WWII veterans, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
Pre-parade activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon include a gunfight and bank Robbery, patriotic musical presentation from the Emerald Society Bagpipe Band, appearances by Julian princesses, two flyovers by vintage aircraft; and remarks by Congressman Duncan Hunter and the unfurling of an enormous flag by volunteer audience members.
Post-parade events include an outdoor concert in the park-featuring musicians ranging from the “Mariachi Continental de San Diego,” to the “Family Fiddle Camp Pickers and Fiddlers” from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be a barbecue, live music and dancing at the American Legion. Plus, the Julian Woman’s Club Historic Quilt Show will be on display.
For more information, visit http://www.julianparade.com.
BACK COUNTRY WINE PAIRING DINNER AT JEREMY’S ON THE HILL JULY 4 IN JULIAN
Jeremy’s on the Hill restaurant will host a Backcountry Wine Pairing Dinner on the 4th of July at 5:30 p.m. The feast will feature organic, local produce from Sage Mountain Farms and wines from both Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Sierra Roble Winery and Vineyard, both in Warner Springs. Dishes to savor range from organic fried chicken with green peppercorn-cognac sauce to a blackberry cobbler topped with caramel sauce for dessert. For ticket and reservation information, you can call 760-765-1587.
CREST FOURTH OF JULY FAMILY FESTIVAL AND PARADE
In the southeast hillside of El Cajon in Crest, the festivities take place at Nancy Jane Park on Suncrest Blvd. in Crest. Live music by the “Cowboy Angels” and other musicians begins at 8:00 a.m. with road closures beginning at 9:15 a.m.
The parade rolls out at 9:30 a.m. starting at South Lane Park and ending at Scenic Lane, just beyond Nancy Jane Park. The parade line-up includes grand marshals, the Patriot Guard Riders for the military, the Ladies Lawn Chair Brigade of Crest, “Pots and Pans Band,” decorated antique tractors, motorcycles, floats, bicycles, golf carts, quads; along with floats, car clubs, horses and fire trucks.
Besides vendor booths and live music at the park, there will be food available for sale: hamburgers hot dogs, drinks, snow cones, and more. There will also be a Silent Auction and a Super Raffle.
For more information, call Kandhy Franklin at 619-444-4996 or email her at kandhyfranklin@cox.net.
POWAY OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY
Poway's Old-Fashioned Fourth of July offers photo ops with Uncle Sam and President Lincoln, patriotic arts and crafts, Civil War re-enactments, steam train rides, live music, games, food and more at from 10 am-4 pm. Free admission. Also, check out the fireworks celebration at the Poway High School Stadium with games, DJ music and fireworks from 7:00-10:00 p.m. with fireworks at 9:00 p.m.
Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd. Website: http://www.poway.org.
Admission: $2 with ages 11 & under free with an adult.
Poway High School, 15500 Espola Rd., Poway.
FREE FISHING DAY COURTESY OF CA DEPT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Fishing enthusiasts, rejoice! Take advantage of this day that lets you fish without a fishing license. Every year, the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife provides two free fishing days for people to try their hand at fishing. This year, those days are July 5 and September 6. Fishing regulations such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. So, head out to one of the many lakes in East County, such as Lake Jennings, Santee Lakes, Cuyamaca Lake, to name just a few.
Website: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/freefishdays.html.
KNSJ 89.1 COMMUNITY RADIO FIRST 1ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION JULY 5
On Saturday, July 5th, KNSJ invites you to our community radio station’s first anniversary celebration from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.
Come mix and mingle with our radio hosts and celebrity guests in a spectacular natural setting, enjoy live music, Native American flute players, delicious food and drinks, stargazing, the museum, no host bar, along with multiple stages of comedy acts and musical entertainment.
Tickets cost $19 before July 1st and $24 at the door.
For tickets and reservations, visit http://www.KNSJ.org.
STAR PARTY AT WRIGHT’S FIELD PRESERVE JULY 5
At Wright’s Field Preserve in Alpine, a flashlight series event "In Awe of the Stars" will be held on Saturday, July 5 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket, and a flashlight to enjoy an evening of star gazing with guide Trevor Gardner, a local Eagle Scout. The group will walk into Wright's Field to take advantage of the darkness of the preserve for stargazing. The group meets promptly at 8:00 p.m. in order to hike in together. This event is hosted by the Backcountry Land Trust.
Park and meet at Joan MacQueen Middle School, 2001 Tavern Road in Alpine. Website: http://www.bclt.org. Email: jgreen@bclt.org.
NEW ART SHOW AND CONCERT AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK
The new Mission Trails Regional Park art exhibition, “A Softer View," features award-winning artist Kathryn Gail Ackley. Each of her paintings represents a different way of approaching a topic, a different challenge, and an opportunity to create “A Softer View” of the world.
Next, an outdoor concert at the amphitheatre features the Pomerado Saxophone Quartet at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. Website: http://www.mtrp.org. Phone: 619-668-3280 and 619-668-3281.
KIDS BOWL FREE NATIONWIDE ALL SUMMER LONG
Through this nationwide program, children ages 15 and under who are registered can bowl two free games a day, all summer long, June 16 through September 13. Regular shoe rental prices do apply.
For participating alleys and to register: http://www.kidsbowlfree.com.
Parkway Bowl, 1280 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon. Phone: 619-448-4111.
Times: 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday.
Poway Fun Bow, 12941 Poway Rd., Poway. Phone: 858-748-9110.
Times: Open to Close on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Times: 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Times: 5:00 p.m. to Close on Sunday.
Now for a preview of some fun summer attractions coming next week:
OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIES IN LAKESIDE JULY 11
Lindo Lake Park in Lakeside will be showing outdoor movies at dusk on July 11, when “Monsters University” will be on the big screen. You can bring a beach chair, blankets and of course, popcorn!
Lindo Lake Park, 12660 Lindo Lane, Lakeside.
DROP A LINE AT THE SANTEE FIREFIGHTERS FISHING DERBY JULY 12
The Santee Firefighters Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, July 12 at Santee Lakes from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. Derby participants will receive a free day permit, worms, raffle ticket, hot dog lunch and free door prizes while they last. The Fishing Derby is open only to children ages 3 to 17 years. Adults can help bait and cast, but not fish. Loaner poles are available with I.D.
Preregistration by July 9 is required. You can register online at http://www.SanteeFirefighters.org.
DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 12
The public is invited to the “45th Annual Descanso Days Parade and Fair” held Saturday, July 12. This popular annual backcountry event will be held at the historic Descanso Town Hall!
This year’s parade theme is “Bonnets & Boots,” with prizes for the best parade entries in several categories. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., but the roads close at 9:30 a.m. so plan to arrive early.
You can also listen to live music while you enjoy pit-barbecued beef cooked by the master chefs of Pine Valley Mountain Riders. “Just Friends” will start the musical lineup with their bluegrass twang at 11:00 a.m., followed by Steve Hill and the “Hill Country Band” on the KSON flat-bed stage from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
There will be a variety of activities, especially for kids, including wheelbarrow races, an egg toss, and a nail driving contest; as well as a Best Bonnet competition for all ages. You can also try your luck at raffles and a silent auction with prizes ranging from bales of hay to a family visit to Disneyland.
SUPER FULL MOON JAZZ CONCERT AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM JULY 12
With the scent of lavender in the air, a golden sunset and colorful fields of lavender as a backdrop, Gregory Page will perform at the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. The concert will be held on Saturday, July 12 from 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy an evening with Page, winner of the 2012 San Diego Music Awards best jazz album, “Shine, Shine, Shine.” Page performs melodies and lyrics reminiscent of the 1920s sweet jazz era, as a “super full moon” rises to illuminate the night sky, promising to be a magical night.
Reservations are required. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For reservations and to hear a sample, visit the Mindfulness Fitness site at http://www.mindfulfitness.com/retreats/concert.
For information/directions to Keys Lavender Farm in Valley Center, visit http://www.kclfarm.com.
PET PARADE AND FAMILY FESTIVAL IN CAMPO JULY 12
Kids of all ages are invited to join the fun and showcase their pets at the first annual “Pet Parade and St. Adelaide Parish Family Festival” on July 12 at the Campo Baseball Field. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and the festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parade entrants are invited to decorate a wagon or stroller for their pet, or walk with their pet(s) on a leash. Pre-registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11.
Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and most entertaining costumes, as well as the Pastor’s Choice Award. Drawings will also be held for prizes, including a half a steer (to fill a freezer) donated by Wright Ranch of Potrero. The festival also includes vendor booths, an inflatable slide and water combo, face painting, and refreshments.
Registration forms and flyers for this event are available at our website at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org.
SANTEE SUMMER CONCERTS BLUES AND BBQ SHOW JULY 17
Santee Summer Concerts lineup for their Blues and BBQ night on Thursday, July 17 includes the Mercedes Moore Band and the Bayou Brothers with special guest Bill Magee. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and there will be blues, bbq, and a beer garden until 8:30 p.m. for this event held at Santee’s Town Center Community Park East.
Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee.
Website: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/.
LES MISERABLES ON MOUNT HELIX JULY 17-21
This summer blockbuster will be staged atop Mount Helix July 17 through August 2. CCT is returning to Mt. Helix after being away for seven years. Theatre-goers will see “Les Mis” with stunning views of San Diego as the surrounding backdrop.
Les Miserables is the world’s longest-running musical. Discover a nation in the grip of revolution, where convict Jean Valjean is on the run. Hunted relentlessly by the policeman Javert for breaking his parole, he must leave his past behind and keep his vow to raise the young orphaned Cosette. But with revolution in the air and Javert closing in, Jean Valjean has no choice but to fight for his life and sacrifice everything to protect the people he loves.
For information and tickets, visit:
http://www.christiancommunitytheater.com.
SUMMER TWILIGHT WALKS AT MISSION TRAILS JULY 19
You’re invited to join Mission Trails Regional Park guides this summer for free Saturday evening guided walks in the park to learn about changes that occur as the sun goes down. These walks last approximately an hour and a half and start from the parking lot across from Kumeyaay Campground on July 19 at 7:15 p.m., August 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 20 at 6:00 p.m.
There is also an owl prowl that you can sign up for by calling 619-668 3281. Website: http://www.mtrp.org.
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 show on KNSJ, 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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