East County News Service

June 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July fireworks, parades and picnics, plus an Elvis tribute in El Cajon.

We also have a preview of coming attractions including Descanso Days, the Pine Valley Parade, astronomy on Mt. Helix, music superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey coming to San Diego State, and a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

June 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the return of caboose rides at the Campo railway depot, the Broadway Tenors onstage at Sycuan, a flea market in Alpine, and Elvis tribute artist Scott Bruce in El Cajon.

Plus, we have a preview coming attractions including Fourth of July fireworks, parades and picnics, Descanso Days, the Pine Valley Parade, astronomy on Mt. Helix, and music superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey coming to the Viejas Arena at San Diego State.

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

Updated with more special Independence Day events.

East County News Service

June19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, El Cajon’ Independence Day picnic with fireworks and the  Santee Salutes patriot celebration are cherished annual traditions in East County.  Below are details. If you know of an East County Fourth of July activity we’ve missed, please email editor@eastcountymagazine.rog and post details in our comments section below.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa) -- After several years on hiatus, the beloved San Diego Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks show is coming back on July 4^th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the fireworks show at 9 p.m. The music fest is held at Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos (5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, off Lake Murray Blvd.). 

By Miriam Raftery

June 20, 2017 (Deerhorn Valley) – The Deerhorn Valley Independence Day parade and picnic returns this July 4^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., after the Border Fire forced cancellation of last year’s event. Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, drums, rattles, shakers and lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities.  Community members are invited to march in the parade including wagons, bikes, trucks, horses, goats and emus.  “If it moves, it can march!” the flyer proclaims.

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Ramona) – Ramona Ranch Winery invites you to savor a relaxing afternoon on their terrace, where they will treat you to a special Father’s Day menu prepared by John Little Catering this Sunday, June 18^th from 12 to 5 p.m.  Your feast includes grilled tri-tip with savory baked beans, corn on the cob, artisan bread and garden salad.

Also enjoy live music by singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player Alyssa Walker from 2 to 5 p.m.

East County News Service

June 14, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Father’s Day adventures, the Julian Blues Festival, a Passport Through Time ride along Historic Highway 67, an outdoor movie at Santee Lakes, and historic train rides at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo.

Plus, preview coming attractions including Broadway Tenors at Sycuan, Fourth of July parades in Alpine and Julian, fireworks in Santee, El Cajon and Alpine, more parades and festivals during Descanso Days and Pine Valley Days, astronomy on Mount Helix, plus music superstars Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie set to rock the stage at San Diego State.

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

East County News Service

June 11, 2017 (Alpine) — Alpine will celebrate Independence Day with a Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m.  along Alpine Boulevard between West Victoria Boulevard and Tavern Road, bringing back a tradition that’s been dormant for years. Everyone is invited to participate or come watch.

By Rebecca Williamson

Photo:  El Cajon resident Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn.

June 11, 2017 (Santee) -- El Cajon resident, Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn, won best trick contest at Santee's 2nd Annual Fido Fest for performing a variety of commands.  The event, held June 10^th in Santee, drew an estimated 2,000-- with smallest dog, largest dog, and a cake walk all part of the festivities. 

Source: Alpine Historical Societiy

June 3, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine History Day is Saturday, June 3 from 11 am to 2 pm at the John DeWitt Museum, 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.

New attractions this year include the Waterwise & Butterflies Garden, the JMMS Robotics Team, Alpine Amigo's 4H Club with their chickens, piglets, and goats, the California Note Catchers, a chorus singing in four-part harmony, Animals & Animals reptile petting zoo, and the newest exhibit in the Beaty House: Alpine, Then and Now, which explores the changes in Alpine landscape and lifestyle through photos and objects from the Alpine Historical Society's collections.

East County News Service

June 2, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will hold three final Saturday excursions this season including:

• June 3:  An 8.5 mile hike to Mt. Laguna along the Pacific Crest Trail with stops at Garnet Peak and Indian Creek
• June 10:  Trek to the Desert View tower, one of the oldest roadside landmarks in our region
• June 17:  A 10-mile hike to Sunset/Big Laguna Trail Loop for sweeping views.

East County News Service

June 1, 2017 (Santee) – Thousands of dog lovers and their pets will gather for East County’s largest dog event, FidoFest on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive in Santee.

East County News Service

June 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)  You’re invited to join in a fun drive to discover the unveiling of Historic Highway 67 in San Diego’s East County on June 17^th from 8:30 to 1 p.m.  Travel through the wild and scenic countryside, stopping at pit stops in El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside and Ramona to get your passport stamped and win drawing tickets for prizes.

This event is  presented by the Historic Highway 80 Corporation along with the Santee, Lakeside, Ramona, and San Diego East County Chambers of Commerce.

East County News Service

June 1, 2017 (Julian) --Sons of the American Legion will present the 11^th annual Julian Dance on June 10^th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The backcountry dance and barbecue features music by Three Chord Justice and the California Rangers, a large dance floor, plus dinner slow-cooked Santa Maria style over open oak-wood flames. 

This event is described as a “throwback to a simpler time with twinkly lights and bonfires backdropped by dark mountain skies,” a time for mountain residents and visitors to get together for a great time.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jacques Sapier serves up a glass of peach and cherry sangria

May 28, 2017 (Ramona) – What better way to start off summertime than sipping sangrias on a stone patio in the noontime sun?  At Vineyard Grant James, a sangria contest  began Friday and continues through Monday for Memorial Day reason. 

Savor three tasty options – peach cherry, lemonade or a red wine and jalapeño based sangria—and then vote for your favorite.  Glimpsing the jarful of ballots, the votes appeared split between all three of these creative choices, which went well with a delightful  locally made cheese that we savored as well.