By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2022 (Mt. Helix) – The amphitheater atop Mt. Helix has been holding Sunrise Easter Service since 1917 and the tradition continues this year on April 17. Now for the first time, the venue will also hold a “Good Friday Under the Stars” on April 15.

East County News Service

March 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s 57^th annual Western Days Parade is set to take place on Saturday, April 23.  This year’s theme is “Reading – a passport to adventure.”

East County News Service 

Photo credit: courtesy of Parkway Plaza

March 23, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Calling all pet owners! Parkway Plaza is officially becoming a dog-friendly shopping center, welcoming customers to bring along their furry friends on all their shopping trips. 

Source: I Love to Glean and Senior Gleaners 

March 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- On Wednesday, March 16, 2022,

starting at 1:30 p.m., I Love to Glean will be providing a monthly drive through food distribution with food provided by Feeding San Diego.  This will be their  fifth consecutive month of distributing food to families at the VFW located at 2885 Lemon Grove Avenue, Lemon Grove.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2022 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a look ahead at some of the most iconic festivals and events coming up this week, from St. Patrick’s Day fun to springtime celebrations, historical reenactments, wine and food festivals and more.

Scroll down for the full slate of events coming up. 

Documentary co-produced by ECM journalist Mimi Pollack is among finalists.

By Matthew Manosh

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) --The 29th Annual San Diego Latino Festival begins March 10th and runs through March 20th at the Fashion Valley AMC. It will be the first time the festival will be in person since the start of the pandemic.

The festival features over 160 films from Central America and The United States, including local film makers from San Diego. Each day they’ll have art from prominent Latino artists on display, as well as daily live music. The full schedule of the events can be found here.

There are many remarkable films being shown in the 10 days of the festival, including films from film makers from in and around San Diego and East County.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2022 (Julian) -- The Julian Daffodil Project was started by Sally Snipes in 1990 as a memorial to her father Jack Snipes. Now there are 4 million bulbs planted in Julian, according to the Julian Daffodils page on Facebook.

Each year, the group hosts the Julian Daffodil show. This year, the free event will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main Street in the heart of historic Julian.

In addition, you can enjoy U-pick daffodils on Saturdays and Sundays from March 19 through May 1 during Daffodil Days at Julian Farm and Orchard, 4381 Highway 79, Julian.

East County News Service

March 2, 2022 (Julian) – Julian Tea and Cottage Arts will be serving up St. Patrick’s Day Teas March 17-21, both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting.  They are also available to go.

East County News Service

March 2, 2022 (El Cajon) – Cajon Classic Cruise Car Shows return in the heart of downtown El Cajon, where thousands of people converge to visit displays of classic vehicles each Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

Photo:  Mike Norris Media for LGHS

February 26, 2022 (Lemon Grove) - They left nothing to chance. Starting in 1842 when the first "Tregensoes" (later, Treganzas) crossed the Atlantic to America and a new life, the family left the starting gate (Cornwall) with many of the things that make life worth living:  Art, Writing, Music, Crafts, Agriculture, Architecture, Anthropology, Ethnography, Medicine, Research, Business, Education, International Relations, and above all, a sense of adventure and faith in the future. 

East County News Service

February 18, 2022 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to “find your treasure” at the La Mesa Monthly Market.  The next event is Saturday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8200 La Mesa Blvd. in the heart of the La Mesa downtown village, organized by Pacific Coast Market.

By Ray Bello

February 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- You’re invited to participate in a Bike Rodeo on Monday, February 21st, President’s Day, from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Grace parking lot at 2766 Navajo Rd.

Free parking will be available at the OLP church upper parking lot.

The Kiwanis Club of Fletcher Hills together with San Diego County Bicycle Coalition are sponsoring this free event open to the public.

Bring your bicycles and helmets.  All ages and skills levels encouraged to attend.  Ride through a series of skill-based challenges designed to enhance both your handling and your knowledge of  your bicycle.

East County News Service 

February 3, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – You’re invited to a Bathhouse Bazaar at 44450 Old Highway Highway 80 in Jacumba Hot Springs. This Saturday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a Taco Love food truck on site, along with Pine Valley Honey.

By Miriam Raftery

January 19, 2022 (Santa Ysabel) – If you’re looking for some outdoor family fun, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian, is offering farm tour adventures each Saturday and Sunday in January and February from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.