TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Saturday, August 25th 

6-10 p.m. (VIP reception at 5:30 p.m.)

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego

It’s the party of a decade!

East County Magazine invites you to join us at East County Fest, our 10^th anniversary celebration!  Proceeds benefit our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and our award-winning community news reporting.

Festivities include: Foods and wines from the best restaurants and wineries in East County, wonderful artists, artisans, authors, athletes, communitiy leaders, live music and entertainment, raffle, auction, stargazing, guest speakers, a look back at the last 10 years and forward to the future!

Tables and individual tickets are available, plus there’s a VIP reception.  Buy a table or a VIP reception ticket and get our free “Best of East County” cookbook on a souvenir thumb drive as thanks, plus preferred parking, auction preview, gourmet goodies and more. VIP party is catered by Bekker's Catering.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS BEFORE AUGUST 16 (prices will rise by $10 a ticket after Aug. 16)

Individual tickets: $65 ($60 for sustaining donors and dining club members) or for $20 extra add VIP reception ($85 total).

Tables: $480 ($60 a person) or $680  ($80 a person) with the VIP reception. 

This event is for age 21 and up.

CLICK ARROWS BELOW TO VIEW AND CHOOSE ALL PRICE OPTIONS.

  For all the delicious details, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) – Language expert, author, columnist and radio personality Richard Lederer will be a special guest at our East County Fest 10-year anniversary party of the decade on Saturday night, August 25. (Tickets are going fast! Get tickets and learn more.)

In addition to speaking and signing copies of his latest books, Lederer has generously donated two special auction prizes – an entertaining and educational appearance by Lederer for your group, and a poker lesson by Lederer, whose skills enabled his two children to become world and national poker champions.

Lederer is the author of 50 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current books, Amazing Words, Lederer on Language, and The Joy of Names. He is a founding co-host of “A Way With Words” on KPBS.

Dr. Lederer’s syndicated column, “Lederer on Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.

Celebrating the future of East County’s water with a FREE, fun event

Source:  Padre Dam Municipal Water District

August 15, 2018 (Santee) - Celebrate water at the East County Water Festival on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East County Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project Visitor Center in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

Our East County Fest 10-year anniversary celebration for East County Magazine on August 25^th at Mission Trails features an array of top musical talent from East County including prominent jazz/pop/ classical/Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Miles Moynier, award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Jim Earp, talented and creative performers from Visionary Dance Theatre, and the San Diego Native American Flute Circle, honoring 12,000 years of Native American history in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a kayak tour at Lake Morena, a jazz concert at Mission Trails, Hall in Oates and Train in concert at SDSU, the Julian Natural Wonderfest, the HeART of Mt. Helix, and the Price is Right game show at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including our own East County Fest at Mission Trails, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of East County Magazine, as well as the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa,

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

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2018 (Ramona) – Three Ramona wineries invite you to bring your well-behaved dog to enjoy the Dog Days of Summer this Saturday and Sunday, August 4-5. Participating wineries are Hatfield Creek, Ramona Ranch and Vineyard Grant James.

East County News Service

July 19, 2018 (Pine Valley) -- Pine Valley Days will take place on July 27^th and 28^th.  Sponsored by the Mountain Empire Men’s Club in the mountain town of Pine Valley, Pine Valley Days will include a parade on Saturday at 9 a.m., live music by Barb Wire, craft fair, deep pit barbecue, kids zone, horseshoe tournament and other activities throughout the weekend.

For a full schedule of events, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/185443142839/photos/gm.253729028534281/10156350830237840/?type=3&theater.

Source: Mt. Helix Park Foundation

July 12, 2018 (La Mesa) - Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual heART of Mt. Helix. You’re invited to come and experience local art, music and cuisine at Mt. Helix Park’s popular celebration/fundraiser held at one of East County’s most extraordinary venues. 

East County News Service

July 5, 2018 (Ramona) - Mark your calendars. Following a highly reviewed first-time-ever event in 2017, the annual Ramona Grape Stomp returns for its second year on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center–Pavilion, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona, CA 92065.

Find Fourth of July fireworks, parades, picnics and more

By Miriam Raftery

June 28, 2018 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Sha Na Na at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, El Cajon’s 4^th of July picnic and fireworks, Deerhorn Valley's Independence Day Parade, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of  July Parade, the Lake Murray Music Festival, a patriotic painting class, and a 90^th birthday party for Lemon Grove’s giant lemon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Descanso Days Fair and Parade, open house at the Oasis Camel Dairy, Pine Valley Days, and a local Laurel and Hardy fan club's 40th anniversary film fest party.

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 28, 2018 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will present its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Ave.) starting at noon Wednesday and ending with a 9 p.m. fireworks show synchronized to music.  1675 East Madison Avenue. Bring  a picnic or buy food from vendors, plus enjoy live music by two bands, inflatables, crafts, games and a “kiddie train.

Schedule of events:

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (San Diego) – The Eureka! SDSU restaurant (5140 College Ave.) is helping guests kick off summer with an outdoor music fest and beer garden, all on an expansive patio, featuring five live music acts and five of the best local craft breweries to San Diego. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 23.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest will celebrate Independence Day on July 4^th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live bands, food, fun and a fireworks finale. 

The festival will be held on the San Carlos side of Lake Murray, but the full lake will be open during the day for fishing and other family-fun activities.

For more information, you can visit www.LakeMurrayFireworks.org.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hikes in local parks after dark,  El Cajon movies in the park and more movies in county parks, Santee’s Summer Concerts series, Wags and Wine at the Water Conservation Garden, a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine and a Passport Through Time along historic highways in East County.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Sha Na Na. live at Sycuan, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

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