Festivals of the Month

HURRICANE RELIEF FUNDRAISER AND CHILI COOKOFF IN LA MESA OCT. 20

 

East County News Service

October 18, 2017 (La Mesa) — Keller Williams in La Mesa (4700 Spring Street) will host a Chili Cook Off for hurricane relief efforts this Friday, October 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.. Booth rentals are $100 and will be donated to disaster relief efforts.

HAUNTFEST ON MAIN: SPOOKY FAMILY THRILLS OCT. 20 IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

October 18, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Sixth Annual “HauntFest on Main” will be held this Friday night, October 20th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown El Cajon. This fun, family-friendly Halloween-themed event includes live music on the Promenade Stage including the Stand-Up Guys from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and the Amazing ‘80s All-Starz from 7:45 to 10 p.m.: This event also features costume contests on the Main Street stage, carnival rides, crafts, games, car show, a candy trail, kids zone with outdoor movies, face painting, inflatables for kids, pumpkin patch, Ghostbusters and more. 

JOIN OUR “FEAST FROM THE EAST” AT HIMALAYAN CUISINE WITH EAST COUNTY DINING CLUB OCT. 19

 

 

 

October 5, 2017 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join our East County Dining Club in a “Feast from the East” at Himalayan Cuisine (7918 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa) on Thursday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m.  The restaurant features delicious  foods from Nepal, India and Tibet. 

For this event, you can order food and drinks off the extensive exotic and affordable menu, plus we’ll have a wealth of prizes. View the delicious menu options:  www.HimalayanCuisineOne.com.   

 

You can pay at the door for this event, but please RSVP early to reserve space—our last two events sold out!  RVSP to reserve space:  (619)698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org .

The restaurant will donate 15% of proceeds to benefit East County Magazine and East County Wildfires & Alerts.  More delicious details:

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 20-NOV. 19

 

East County News Service

October 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, Carnival for Canines in La Mesa, Borrego Days desert festival and parade, a Toast to East County, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, alpacas at the Summers Past Pumpkin Patch, Scotty’s Scare Trail, and the Pumpkin Express train ride in Campo.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including a haunted Elks lodge, a Halloween Harvest Festival, the Hills Halloween Party, a spooky campover, the Boulevard Boo Parade, a “Hallowscream” night, a high desert mountain yoga retreat, an Autumn Fest and Plant Sale, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, a live hawk demonstration, a Veterans Day ceremony and the 71st annual Mother Goose Parade. 

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

BLASTS FROM THE PAST AT THE LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

 

October 15, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) – The Laguna Mountain Rendezvous in Santa Ysabel continues this week through October 22nd, offering fascinating glimpses into the rugged skills of mountain men, frontiersmen and Revolutionary War era militia members. 

HALLOWEEN HARVEST FAMILY FESTIVAL ATOP MT. HELIX OCT. 29

 

East County News Service

October 15, 2017 (Mt. Helix) -- The Mt. Helix Park Foundation and Grossmont Mt Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) are joining together for a fun-filled Halloween Harvest Family Festival at the top of Mt Helix Park for neighborhood families on Sunday, October 29th from 2 to 5 p.m. 

$10,000 HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST AT THE HILLS IN LA MESA OCT. 28; HALLOWEEN PARTY AT EASTBOUND IN LAKESIDE OCT. 27

 

East County News Service

October 14, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The owners of The Hills in La Mesa and the Eastbound Bar and Grill in Lakeside are serving up some spooky fun--along with some wild libations, prizes and more this Halloween Season. From a cauldron of concoctions served in gravedigger skull mugs to a costume contest with a $10,000 prize, these local night spots have plenty of “treats” in store for their Halloween weekend guests.

CARNIVAL 4 CANINES OCT. 21 IN LA MESA

 

East County News Service

October 14, 2017 (La Mesa) - Harry Griffin Park is going to the dogs! 

On Saturday October 21 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Coe Lewis will be hosting the third annual Carnival 4 Canines put on by Jackie Blue's Rescue Angels and KSON-FM 97.3 and 92.1.  Admission to this family-friendly, pet-friendly event is free, and it offers games for the kids, gourmet food, crafts, and vendors who specialize in one-of-a-kind and handmade items.  There will be microchipping services, animal welfare & conservation organizations as well as pet rescue groups. The doggy costume contest registration begins at 1 p.m., with the judging beginning at 2 p.m.  An opportunity drawing will begin at 3:30 p.m. (winner need not be present to win).   You won't want to miss seeing the doggy agility course.  All proceeds benefit Jackie Blue's Rescue Angels, a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Jacumba Hot Springs.   

LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS BRINGS HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN MAN ENCAMPMENTS TO LIFE OCT. 13-22

 

By Miriam Raftery

Click to view video of Emms shooting black-powder, muzzle loaded gun

September 24, 2017 (Mount Laguna) — If you stop by the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous October 13-21, you’re likely to feel as though you’ve been transported into the past –a mountain man encampment bringing history to life.  Activities for participants include black-powder shooting instruction, archery, tomahawk throwing, tool-making, camp stove cooking, early American music, and a traders’ row selling vintage and replica items from Colonial times in the 1770s through around 1840.

In an exclusive interview, Richard Emms, president of the Laguna Mountain Shooting Club, resident gunsmith and Rendezvous Booshway (leader of a group of mountain men)shares insights on how the group got started and what attracts folks to don historical garb for the 10-day encampment in period-style tents. 

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 13-NOV. 5

 

East County News Service

October 11, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes pumpkin patch events at Summers Past Farms and Scotty’s Scare Trail in Flinn Springs, train rides on the Pumpkin Express in Campo, The Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, a chili cookoff for charity in Lemon Grove, and Kids Care Fest in Lakeside.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, Borrego Days, a Toast to East County, a haunted lodge, a Halloween harvest family festival on Mt. Helix, the Boulevard Boo Parade, a spooky campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, Laurel and Hardy night’s “Hallowscream” in Spring Valley, a Harvest Fest and Plant Sale at the Water Conservation Garden, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, and live hawk demonstrations at Mission Trails Regional Park.

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

BOO! PARADE BRINGS OUT HOLIDAY SPIRIT OCTOBER 28 IN COLLEGE AREA

 

East County News Service

October 10, 2017 (San Diego) -- Celebrating its 13th year, the Boulevard BOO! Parade will be held on Saturday, October 28th starting at 10 a.m. With over 70 entries of live entertainment marching on one mile of El Cajon Boulevard in the College Area, the parade will entertain you with spooky ghouls, goblins, ghosts and witches to fill you with the Halloween spirit.

EL CAJON ELKS LODGE LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY HAUNTED HOUSE FOR HALLOWEEN FUNDRAISER OCT. 26-31

 

Source:  El Cajon Elks Lodge

October 10, 2017 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 is working with a local Haunted House Production Company, “Scareventures,” to present a Haunted Lodge for the community in their parking lot from October 26th through 31st.  This will be one of the only Haunted Houses in San Diego’s East County, it represents an important charity fundraising effort where the Elks will contribute 100% of proceeds from the event for children’s charities as a part of their annual “Purple Pig” (or CHEMPI) and “Youth Charities” fundraising efforts. 

SPOOKY CAMPOVER AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS OCT. 27-28

 

By Valerie Watts

October 9, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears announces its annual Spooky Campover from 3 p.m. Friday October 27 until 12 p.m. October 28.  Bring your own pumpkin to carve, food, camping gear and best costume to 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901.  This event promises "a wild and ghoulish night under the stars with the rescued animals."  There will be pumpkin carving, s'mores, campfire songs, a costume contest and animal feedings.  To reserve your spot for this unique camping adventure, call (619) 659-8078 option 2, or book online www.lionstigersandbears.org

TOAST OF EAST COUNTY: SAVOR THE FLAVORS OCT. 22

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present this year’s “A Toast to East County” on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.  at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 (1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon).

A TALE OF TWO OKTOBERFESTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

October 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – Crowds flocked to Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa for bratwurst, beer, and festivities. The two community events differed sharply, with the German-American club’s event at its headquarters in El Cajon focused on authentic offerings such as a German band and Bavarian pastries, while La Mesa added some international elements and carnival attractions.

KIDS CARE FEST AT LAKESIDE RODEO GROUPS: WILL OFFER FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR CHILDREN

 

East County News Service

 

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East Region, will present the 2017 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented health event open to the public. Featuring free health screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT PARKS

 

 

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 5, 2017 (San Diego) - It’s frightening how much fun you can have at parks this month. The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a dozen chilling and thrilling Halloween events including haunted hikes, pumpkin parties and a day of the dead.

Don’t be a scaredy cat. All events are family-friendly, for all ages and some are even in the daytime. Most are free, though some have parking fees. Inclement weather may cancel some of the outdoor events.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 6-31

 

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Camels and Apples at the Oasis Camel Dairy, an art reception with international artist Padre Johnson at Heritage of the Americas Museum, a Circular Visions dance show, the Ramona Air Fair and Fly In, Summers Past Farms’ Pumpkin Patch, Scotty’s Scare Trail, and the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride in Campo.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, the Borrego Days celebration, El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, a Haunted Elks Lodge, a Halloween Harvest Family Festival on Mt. Helix, a spooky sleepover at Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Boulevard BOO Parade.

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

CAMELS AND APPLES: OPEN FARM AND SHOWS OCT. 7-9

 

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (Ramona) -- The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona joins in celebrating Julian’s apple season, inviting visitors to treat camels to sweet, tart, crisp apples.  On October 7, 8 and 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. the celebration also include an open farm tour with friendly farm animals and curious camels. Plus, at 1:30 p.m. each day, you can enjoy a humorous and entertaining animal show.

SAN MIGUEL FIRE HOSTS OPEN HOUSES OCT. 7 IN SPRING VALLEY AND EL CAJON: LEARN HOW TO PREPARE FOR FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

 

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- As the fire season approaches, San Miguel Fire District is kicking off Fire Prevention Week with an Open House on Saturday, October 7 at four of its fire stations in the East County. 

Residents will learn:

* Sidewalk CPR

* How to create Defensible Space around the house

* What to place in an Emergency Kit

* How to develop an Emergency Plan for the family.

Firefighters in each station will be available to answer questions.  Kids will be given Firefighter helmets and fire badge stickers.

Refreshments will be served.

SCOTTY'S SCARE TRAIL PROMISES CREEPY FUN WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER

 

East County News Service

October 2, 2017 (El Cajon) — Scotty’s Scare Trail, located at the Marshall Scotty’s abandoned amusement park, is rumored to be haunted to old employees and children who never left.  Left in a “scary decrepit state,” the site is “the perfect destination to let our monsters out of their cages to roam free,” the Halloween venue’s webpage states.

PUMPKIN PATCH FUN IN OCTOBER AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS

 

East County News Service

October 2, 2017 (Flinn Springs) — The Pumpkin Patch at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs invites you to Pumpkin Patch Weekends complete with corn maze, jumpy for kids, popcorn and more. There are also special dates for petting and meeting a variety of animals from alpacas to pigs, as well as a dog show, costume contest and more.

WHOA! SOROPTIMISTS TOSS 13TH CHILI COOK-OFF FOR CHARITY OCT. 14

 

East County News Service

September 30, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Get your appetites ready. Lemon Grove Soroptomists are fired up to host their 13th annual hometown chili-cook-off.  Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, serves up this spicy description to savor: 

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS. SEPT. 29-OCT. 31

 

East County News Service

September 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the La Mesa Oktoberfest, El Cajon’s summer concert season finale, opening weekend of El Cajon’s Oktoberfest, fall concerts at Cuyamaca College, and an art reception for Padre Johnson at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Ramona Air Fair and Fly-In, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, the Borrego Days celebration, El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, a Haunted Elks Lodge, a Halloween Harvest Family Festival on Mt. Helix, a spooky sleepover at Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Boulevard BOO Parade.

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

OKTOBERFEST IN EL CAJON SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 AND OCT. 6-8

 

East County News Service

September 28, 2017 (El Cajon) - 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.

RAMONA AIR FAIR FLIES IN OCT. 7

 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 26, 2017 (Ramona) - Cool airplanes, awesome cars, flapjacks, Mexican food, live country music, a hot air balloon and a really big Smokey Bear — if that sounds interesting to you, you’re in luck!

Visitors can see all of that and more from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 when the Ramona Air Fair & Fly-in comes back to Ramona Airport at 2926 Montecito Road.

FAIR TRADE GIFT FAIRE TO BE HELD IN LA MESA OCT. 15

 

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 (La Mesa) -- A wide variety of high quality, fairly traded international items will be available at a La Mesa gift fair on Sunday, Oct. 15 in the church hall at St. Martin of Tours Church in La Mesa (7710 El Cajon Blvd.)  The event will take place from 8 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.  Attendees can enjoy samples of fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and ice cream while perusing gift items such as handmade baskets, jewelry, clothing, home décor, crafts and more. Also, available for purchase will be fair trade chocolate, coffee & teas.

BACKCOUNTRY STRONG: SPAGHETTI DINNER TO SUPPORT JULIAN-CUYAMACA FIRE DISTRICT SEPT. 30

 

By Valerie Watts

September 24, 2017 (Julian) -- "Backcountry Strong!"  That's what the Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District is, and wants you to know it!  The Julian Volunteer Fire Company Association and the Julian Fire Plugs will be holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Saturday, September 30 at 5 p.m. at Station 56, located at 3407 Hwy 79 in Julian.  They will be accepting donations and offering spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and drinks.  They even have vegetarian options available.  There will be speakers and entertainment.

RESORT TO NATURE AT 52ND ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS FESTIVAL AND PARADE OCT. 21-22

 

 

East County News Service

September 21, 2017 (Borrego Springs) - The 52nd Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival returns to showcase qualities that make Borrego Springs so unique as both a weekend getaway and a world all its own with beautiful weather, incredible star gazing, resorts, and the free Borrego Days Festival which kicks off Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and continues through Sunday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS SEPT. 22-OCT.31

 

East County News Service

September 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Apple Days Festival, an apple time tea, breakfast with firefighters and outdoor concerts in El Cajon and original dance performances in Bamboozled.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, a reception at Heritage of the Americas Museum for artist Padre Johnson, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, and Borrego Days.

We also have Halloween happenings including Hauntfest on Main, a Haunted Elks Lodge, a Halloween Harvest Festival on Mt. Helix, a Spooky Campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears and the Boulevard Boo Parade.

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

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