By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2017 (Julian) -- If you love apples, the Julian Apple Days Festival on September 23^rd and 24^th is the place to be.  Located at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive) in historic Julian, the event features Julian’s famous apple pie, gold panning demonstrations, a falconry performance, live music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and more.

East County News Service

August 14, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Celebrating its 44th year in 2017, the popular La Mesa Oktoberfest is going back to its roots to bring guests more entertainment, more vendors, more beer, and more "Prost!” (cheers!) than ever before, organizers have announced. Under the direction of the La Mesa Village Association, this year’s fest will showcase a revitalized and elevated experience for all ages on Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st. Attractions include many vendors featuring craftwork and knick-knacks, foods ranging from scrumptious sausages to food truck favorites, live entertainment, beer and now, cocktails. 

East County News Service

August 11, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes  a star party in Lakeside, a dive-in movie at Kroc Center, classic cruisin’ in El Cajon, outdoor concerts in Santee, El Cajon and Lemon Grove, ice skating and more.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including  Descanso’s deep pit barbecue, the Ramona Country Fair, La Mesa's Oktoberfest, an art show in Julian, Ramona’s first-ever grape stomp, a Laurel and Hardy comedy film night in Spring Valley,  the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, World War II pilots sharing living history, the Alley Cat Art walk in El Cajon, Barona powwow and more.

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

Three days of traditional dance, food, and Native American crafts Sept. 1-3

East County News Service

August 3, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Barona Band of Mission Indians proudly invites the San Diego community to celebrate Native American heritage at the 47^th Annual Barona Powwow on Labor Day Weekend. The three-day cultural celebration kicks off on Friday, September 1 with Gourd Dancing at 6 p.m. and an awe-inspiring Grand Entry of dancers in colorful regalia at 7 p.m. The Barona Powwow continues on both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m., for an unforgettable weekend-long experience. Admission and parking are free.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Dog Days of Summer at Ramona wineries, a Sip of Julian, Cajon Classic Cruises, plus outdoor concerts in Lemon Grove, Santee and El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the HeART of Mt. Helix, a Star Party in Lakeside, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, Laurel and Hardy comedy films with Thelma Todd n Spring Valley, a Fall Art Show in Julian, the Ramona Grape Stomp, and Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon.

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

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts, a murder mystery theatre in Julian and a 40^th birthday party for the city of Lemon Grove.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including concerts in the park, a Sip of Julian, the Heart of Mt. Helix, a star party campout at Oakoasis, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and Laurel and Hardy comedy clips in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Jungle Book Movie at La Mesita Park,  a Museum Roadshow at Cuyamaca College,  a family hike and falconry presentation at Santa Ysabel Preserve, plus community concerts in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and Santee.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Mariah Carey and Lionel Ritchie in concert at San Diego State, a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian, Pine Valley Days, the Pomerado Jazz Quintet at Mission Trails, a Sip of Julian, the HeART of Mt. Helix, the Ramona Country Fair,  and a Laurel and Hardy film presentation in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Cal Fire family day at Lake Morena, astronomy night on Mt. Helix, the author of “Nature Adventures” in La Mesa, and a showing of The Jungle Book in La Mesita park.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a family hike plus falcons and hawks at Santa Ysabel Preserve, superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey at San Diego State, a murder mystery theatre in Julian, a Pacific Coast Trail presentation, Laurel & Hardy night in Spring Valley, Pine Valley Days, Julian’s Apple Pie Grand Prix, the Heart of Mt. Helix, and Ramona’s Country Fair.

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2017 (Mt. Helix) – The 10^th annual HeART of Mt. Helix on August 12^th from 5 to 10 p.m. will feature live art demonstrations and art auctions, music on two stages, a juried art show, succulent plant sale, and tastings from top local restaurants atop Mt. Helix.

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.