DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS & EVENTS APRIL 6-MAY 6

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By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2018  (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Gold Rush Days, open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Martin Luther King remembrance in Lemon Grove, the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest in Borrego Springs, Meet the Winemaker Weekend in Ramona, and a Lilac Festival in Wynola.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a dance production of the Constitution,  a Warbirds Expo at Gillespie Field, the Jamul Hotrod and Chili Cookoff, Cajon Classic Cruises, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary party, a meteor watching night at Oakoasis Park, a hike for you and your dogs at the Santa Ysabel East Preserve, a  crafts fair in Flinn Springs, a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, a Spring concert by San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and medieval music at Mission Trails Regional Park.

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

JULIAN GOLD RUSH DAYS APRIL 7-8

Julian Gold Rush Days elebrates the discovery of gold in this mountain community and invites visitors to learn more about its history on April 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Mining Company (4381 Highway 79) in Wynola. 

You can try your hand at gold panning, tomahawk throwing, candle dipping  and a hayride.  This old-fashioned mining camp, where you’ll also find historical re-enactors,, an arts and crafts market, food and drink, a petting zoo, and plenty of family fun.

For more information visit www.JulianGoldRushDays.com.

OASIS CAMEL DAIRY OPEN FARM DAY APRIL 7-8

Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to open farm day on April 7th and 8th from 1 to 4 p.m., with an animal show at 1:30 complete with talking parrots, galloping turkeys, farm dogs and of course, camels!

You can also feed treats and cuddle with the camels, take camel selfies, shop for camel milk soaps and souvenirs, or take a camel ride.  Find more information at www.CamelDairy.com.

REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING. JR. APRIL 7 IN LEMON GROVE

The Lemon Grove Historical Society will continue its Remembrance Project on April 7th at 2 p.m. in the Lemon Grove branch of the county library, to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Discussing this shattering historic moment will be Dr. Dayo Gore professor of Ethnic Studies at UCSD and Dr. John Warren recipient of a 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. "unsung hero award" from the California state legislature and publisher of San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, the area's leading African American newspaper for over half a century.

Lemon Grove historical society president Helen Ofield will moderate the panel. Head librarian Charlotte King-Mills will introduce the program and display related books on Dr. King.

PEG LEG SMITH LIARS CONTEST APRIL 7

The Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest dates back more than a century, and you’re invited to come spin your best treasure hunting tale. This year’s event will be held April 1 starting at 7 p.m. at a new location:  the American Legion Hall (4515 Borrego Springs Road) in Borrego Springs, where you also enjoy a chuckwagon dinner.

Thomas Smith, known as “Peg Leg” was a mountain man, fur trapper, guide, prospector, horse thief and notorious liar. He boasted of finding a fortune in gold, but claimed he fled from Indians and could never find his lost riches again. Many have searched since then, but the trove has never been found.

At the contest, no reading is allowed.  You can speak, sing, or recite poetry to convey your tall tale of searching or finding Peg Leg’s lost gold – all around a blazing campfire. Costumes and props are encouraged, along with team work – so feel free to bring along your merry band of prevaricators, musicians, a mule or two, or whatever else may enhance your presentation.

Families are welcome and there is a children’s category, too. In the past, the event was held at the Peg Leg Smith monument, but that site is now within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and no longer available for the event. Fortunately, the American Legion Post offered up its venue to the Committee to Accumulate Curious Tales of Incredibility, or CACTI, organizers of the annual liar’s contest-so the fabulous fib-fest will go on.

You can find more information on the calendar at www.EastCountyMagazine.org.

MEET THE WINEMAKER WEEKEND APRIL 7-8 IN RAMONA

The Ramona Valley Vineyard Association presents Meet the Winemaker Weekend, taking place at 10 local Ramona wineries on April 7th, 2018 and April 8th.  The event features a behind the scene taste including award-winning wines and exclusive meetings with the winery owners and winemakers.

The weekend also includes winery tours, a happy hour at Reds, Whites and Brews, boxed lunch and breakfast, depending which day you attend.  For tickets, you can visit RamonaValleyVineyards.com.  

LILAC FESTIVAL CONTINUES EACH WEEKEND IN APRIL

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures invites you to a Lilac Festival at their site, located on Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel just outside of Julian. The event takes place each Saturday in April from 10 a.m. to 5 p.ml. On April 1st, there will also be an Easter Egg hunt.

Festival activities include tours of the lilac groves, a petting zoo, hayride, jug band show, archery, tomahawk throwing and a ghost town slingshot range. Visitors can also paint vases and dip candles to take home, as well as plant seeds and learn about gardening.  For more information, you can visit www.FortCross.com

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

KIDZ DANZ KOMPANY PRESENTS “THE CONSTITUTION” APRIL 13 AND 14

Constitution, the dance, is coming to the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place) April 13-14 thanks to La Mesa based Kidz Danz Kompany and Visionary Dance Theatre.

This show is about “the Constitution and its impact on our country, from its founding, to its present day, and things such as the 3/5 clause of the constitution which states that African Americans were only 3/5 of a human being,” says Powell, who founded the dance group in the 1990s.

For tickets (available online through March 31) and more information, visit http://visionarydancetheatre.org/Visionary/2018-TheConstitution. Tickets will also be available at the box office if not sold out in advance.

WARBIRD EXPO APRIL 14 AT GILLESPIE FIELD

At the Warbird Expo hosted by the Commemorative Air Force at Gilliespie Field in El Cajon (on Saturday, April 14th, warbirds, classic aircraft, vintage cars and World War II memorabilia will all be part of a fun-filled day for the whole family.  Gates open at 9 a.m. and the event runs until 4 p.m.

A highlight of the event is the opportunity to take a ride  aboard a historic aircraft. If you’re looking for a gift for that special someone or just want a joy ride for yourself, tickets for these flights are available at the event or online at AG1CAF.org.

SWEET PEA DAY AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS APRIL 14 IN FLINN SPRINGS

Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, just east of El Cajon, invites you to Sweet Pea Day on Saturday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Visit a towering sweet pea maze at this event celebrating the fragrant, old-fashioned flowers in their full glory.

You can preview the maze from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and cut your own bouquet starting at 11 a.m. until they are gone—which doesn’t take long!

Guests can also enjoy live music with Jim Earp on a shady pavilion, savor snacks at an outdoor coffee bar, or picnic on the grass to round out an idyllic spring day.

For more information, you can visit SummersPastFarms.com.

10TH ANNUAL JAMUL HOT ROD AND CHILI COOK-OFF APRIL 14

The Jamul Kiwanis are revving up for their 10thAnnual Hot Rod and Chili Cook off. The event will be held on April14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pio Pico/Thousand Trails, 14615 Otay Lakes Road, Jamul. 

There's something for everyone in the entire family: classic cars, trucks and motorcycles; live entertainment by Roadkill Band and DJ Mr. Bogart.  Best of all, savor the Chili Cook-off and taste the best chili's in East County. 

Other food vendors are serving Mexican food and burgers.  Many other commercial vendors, raffle prizes, silent auction, beer from Ballast Point, Alesmith and Jamul's own Jamul Brewery. There's even a game room and swimming pool for kids.

For more information, go to JamulKiwanis.org or call (619) 993-9904.

HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS ANNIVERSARY APRIL 14

Heritage of the Americas Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special event on Saturday, April 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring guest artist Alfredo Rodriguez.

The celebration also features a catered buffet, music, auction, drinks and good times. For more information, visit heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com/.

HEAVENLY MUSIC:  SAN DIEGO HARP SOCIETY TO PERFORM APRIL 15 AT MISSION TRAILS

The San Diego Harp Society will present a free recital on Sunday, April 15th from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center auditorium  featuring exceptional local harp students. 

For more information on this heavenly music performance or other upcoming concerts, visit the Mission Trails Regional Park webpage at www.MTRP.org.

CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE SEASON OPENER APRIL 18

The Cajon Classic Cruise will rev up its season opener on Wedneday, April 18th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. 

Thousands of people from across the region come to Cajon Classic Cruise nights each Wednesday, all summer long.

In addition to viewing classic vehicles with a different theme each week, visitors can enjoy musical entertainment at Prescott Promenade on Main Street just east of Magnolia, or arrive early to dine at an outdoor café for a roadside view of the Cajon Classic Cruise.

For more information, you can visit DowntownElCajon.com.

METEOR WATCHING IN LAKESIDE APRIL 21

You're invited to join rangers at Oakoasis County Preserve (12620 Wildcat Canyon Road) in Lakeside to watch a meteor show on Saturday, April 21 from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Yes, you heard those times right!  Those wee hours of the morning are when you can see the most shooting stars. So dress warm, bring a lawn chair and blankets to enjoy nature's fireworks in this very special sky show.  For questions, call the Oakoasis park at (619)561-0580.

FURRY FRIENDS HIKE AT SANTA YSABEL EAST PRESERVE APRIL 21

A furry friends hike will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Santa Ysabel East County Preserve (500 Farmer Road) in Julian. You can bring your dogs and join other animal lovers for an easy hike to the Santa Ysabel Creek, along with rangers  Eric and Doug and their dogs, Leebo and Luke.

Dogs just stay on leashed and be friendly toward others. Be sure to bring water and snacks for you and your pets.  Meet at the Farmer staging area. For more information, call the Santa Ysabel East Preserve park at 760-765-4098 (or visit the event page on  Facebook.)

ANTIQUES AND CRAFT FAIR APRIL 21-22 AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS

An Antiques and Crafts Fair will be held at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs on Saturday, April 21st and Sunday, April 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can view works by over 70 craftsman and artisans while shopping for crafts, collectibles, antiques, and garden items. Find details at SummersPastFarms.com.

LAKESIDE RODEO APRIL 27-29; WESTERN DAYS PARADE APRIL 28

Yee-ha! Cowboys and cowgals will be saddling up for the 54th annual Lakeside Rodeo on April 27th, 28th and 29th, where you can watch events ranging from bull riding to barrel racing. 

The weekend's festivities also include the Western Days Parade through downtown Lakeside on Saturday, April 28th at 9:30 a.m., with a Western Days breakfast beforehand starting at 7 a.m. at the Lakeside Historical Society.  Find details on all of these events at www.LakesideRodeo.com.

SPRING GARDEN AND BUTTERLY FESTIVAL APRIL 28

The Water Conservation Garden and Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College invite you to the annual Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival on Saturday, April 28th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities at the Garden include buttery pavilion tours and butterfly releases, garden tours, kids’ crafts and story time, a pollinator parade, exhibits, presentations, water-wise gardening information, edible and ornamental plant sales, face painting, animal exhibitors, food trucks and wine tasting.

The museum will host tours and presentations, a five-choices dream drawing, Kumeyaay artifacts and fire-making demonstrations, and more.

For details visit https://TheGarden.org/springfestival

SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL AND CHORUS SPRING CONCERT APRIL 29

The San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present its spring concert titled “Musical Journeys” on April 29th at 3 p.m. at the College Avenue Baptist Church.

The concert will include John Rutter’s Requiem as well as music from West Side Story and the Wizard of Oz.  For tickets and details, visit www.SanDiegoFestivalChorus.org.

COURTLY NOYSE APRIL 29 AT MISSION TRAILS

Mission Trails Regional Park invites you to a medieval and renaissance concert by Courtly Noyse. The performance will be held on Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. in the Visitor Center’s theatre.

For details, you can visit the Mission Trails Regional Park website at www.MTRP.org.

DINNER AND A CONCERT IN EL CAJON STARTS MAY 4

Downtown El Cajon's "Dinner and a Concert" series starts May 4 and and continues each Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. all summer long.  The concerts are held in Prescott Promenade Park on Main Street.  Sully and the Blue-Eyed Soul Band opens the season on May 4. Other concert performers in May are The Jukebox Kings, Stars on the Water, and Fortunate Sun.

Bring a picnic dinner to eat in the park, or you can arrive early to dine at one of the restaurants in downtown El Cajon. 

View the complete Diinner and a Concert lineup at www.DowntownElCajon.com

SAVOR TASTES FROM 40 WINERIES AT VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 6

You’re invited to savor fine wines from over 40 wineries and taste specialty foods from local restaurants at Vintage Alpine, a wine experience in the country.  The event takes place on Sunday, May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms (15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs)—all to benefit the children of Sna Diego County.

Started in 1990, this event now draws over 500 people and is one of the largest winetasting events in San Diego County. It is organized by the Alpine Kiwanis Foundation.

This event is limited to those 21 and up.  For tickets and details, visit www.VintageAlpine.org.  

SAN DIEGO CONCERT BAND ANNOUNCES FREE CONCERTS

The San Diego Concert Band has announced its 29th annual Spring Celebration concert and summer concert series at venues that include East County locations of Kroc Center, Old Poway Park, La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park, and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in San Carlos, as well as San Diego locations at Civitas Park and the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.  Their first concert will be on April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre (6611 University Ave. San Diego).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.sandiegoconcertband.com, from SDCB members, or at the door if not sold out.

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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