DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN APRIL 2019

East County News Service

March 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- April activities include Lake Jennings Spring Carnival, a Star Party at Mission Trails, a Spring EggStravaganza, a warbirds event in El Cajon, Cajon Classic Cruise celebrating its centennial season, live music at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Earth Day celebrations in La Mesa and Jacumba Hot Springs,a heavenly harp concert near Mission Trails, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, and a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden.

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

OFF BROADWAY LIVE’S “THE BRIDGE” CONTINUES NOW THROUGH APRIL 13 IN SANTEE

Off Broadway Live theatre in Santee will present “The Bridge”, which opened March 2nd and runs through April 13th.  A special showing on March 24th will benefit homeless children and teens at Father Joe’s Villages.

The musical focuses on six people whose lives were forever changed by what happened one night on a bridge. The bridge knows their secrets and during a reunion of their high school football championship season, everyone will be there – and the bridge is waiting.

For tickets and details, visit https://www.OffBroadwayLive.com.

HEAVENLY HARP CONCERT APRIL 14

The San Diego Harp Society will hold its annual advanced students harp recital at the Mission Trails Church, 4880 Zion Avenue, San Diego 92120 on April 14th from 3 - 4 p.m.  This is a free concert (for donations) and every dollar collected goes directly to the San Diego Harp Society.  Second Sunday Community Concerts and the Mission Trails Church do not take any donated money.

The recital will feature the best of the harp repertoire through the years.  The San Diego Harp Society has been with our concert series from the start.  The concerts were originally held in the auditorium of  Mission Trails Regional Park. The first concert was held in late 2010.   With the recent move to the new venue, the Harp Society now has a bigger parking lot, a bigger stage area and seating for 145.  The Mission Trails Church is happy to have them and the three concerts thus far this year have been well received,

LAKE JENNINGS SPRING CARNIVAL APRIL 13

Lake Jennings in Lakeside will host its Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 13th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The kids’ pond will be fully stocked for children under 10 to catch a fish. A total of 2,000 pounds of trout will be stocked for this event.

Two egg hunts for youngsters under 10 will be held in Hermit Cove at 10 a.m. and again at 12 noon, with a special section for tots age 3 and under.  Over 3,000 Easter eggs with prizes will be offered – including fishing and camping.

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

STAR PARTY APRIL 13 AT MISSION TRAILS

You’re invited to a star party at Mission Trails Regional Park on April 13th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Amateur astronomer Geroge Vargas will bring his telescope to the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s day use lot.

You’ll have opportunities to view galaxies, stars and constellations.  For more information, you can visit www.MTRP.org.

SPRING EGGSTRAVAGANZA APRIL 14 AT SANTEE LAKES

Santee Lakes is hosting its Spring EggStravaganza with fun for the whole family on Sunday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Children can enjoy continuous egg hunts, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides, crafts, foods and photos with bunnies. There is a nominal fee for activities and rides. Details are available at www.SanteeLakes.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN PASQUAL WINERY DURING APRIL IN LA MESA

The San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa has several live music performances in April, all at 7 p.m.  On April 6th, saxophonist and composer Paul Combs will bring his combo for an evening of jazz. On April 12, Stage 4 Jazz will perform both jazz and rhythm and blues.

Multi-instrumentalist James Luna, a San Diego Music Awards Winner, will be there on April 13, and on April 20, Flex will play styles ranging from Motown to Latin and Blues.  On April 27th, fingerstyle guitarist  Jim Earp will perform his unique Hawaiin slack-key meets Celtic music style.

For a full schedule of entertainment, you can visit www.sanpasqualwinery.com.

WARBIRD EXPO & WWII COLLECTORS SWAP MEET APRIL 13 AT GILLESPIE FIELD

You’re invited to a Warbird Expo and World War II collectors’ swap meet at Gillespie Field in El Cajon on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Tickets for a ride in real WWII aircraft (a historic WWII SNJ-5 Trainer) can also be purchased online or at the event.

This is the largest fundraiser of the year for Air Group One to help keep these historic World War II aircraft flying and fund youth education programs.

Air Group One, the San Diego Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Air Group One os a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares the mission to educate today’s youth about the sacrifices made by our brave Americans in WWII and inspire students to rise above their challenges and pursue higher education concentrating in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math,focusing on a career in aviation.

Displays will feature WWII and Classic aircraft, Vintage & Classic cars, and local vendors, including a WWII Memorabilia & Aviation Swap meet.

Warbirds, classic aircraft, classic cars and WWII memorabilia all come together for a fun-filled day for the entire family. See these amazing machines up close and speak with other aircraft and car enthusiasts. The WWII Memorabilia Swap-meet section will offer a unique opportunity to purchase artifacts and collectibles including books, photos, toys, uniforms and insignias, aircraft parts and more.

Admission: Adults - $5, Youth 10-17 - $3, Kids under 10  are free with adult. Parking is free.

The public entrance is at 2111 North Marshall Ave. in El Cajon.

Details can be found on www.ag1caf.org.

CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE SEASON OPENS APRIL 17

Celebrating 100 years of cruising, Cajon Classic Cruise opens its centennial season on April 17th. You’re invited to view the classic cars along Maine Street and Prescott Promenade each Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. A full season line-up of activities will be posted soon at DowntownElCajon.com.  

SPRING HARP FEST APRIL 20 IN LA MESA

Harmonicas will be wailing at the 20th annual Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park on Saturday, April 20th from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This festival was founded to promote blues harmonica music, an American art form. Donations at the event are used to fund youth music programs with harmonicas and a Summer Blues Camp. For a full list of performers and details, visit SpringHarpFest.org.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT DESERT VIEW TOWER APRIL 20

An Earth Day Celebration at the Desert View Tower (1 In-Ko Pah Park Rd) in Jacumba Hot Springs) will be held on April 20th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

This festive event will feature live music including blues, classic rock, reggae and more, as well as Grammy-nominated medicine woman Windwalker.  There will also be wildflower hikes, healthy and vegan foods, native plants, crafts and farm products for sale, natural beauty and healint therapies, and a chance to explore the In Ko Pah Boulder Park and its unique stone carvings.

For more information and tickets, visit the Desert View Tower on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/desertviewtower/. 

LAKESIDE RODEO APRIL 26-28

Yeeha! The Lakeside Rodeo on April 26th through 28th will showcase cowboy and cowgirl skills in competitions that include bare-back riding, team roping, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and more.

For tickets and details, visit www.LakesideRodeo.com.

LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS PARADE APRIL 27

The annual Lakeside Western Days Parade takes place on April 27th from 9:35 a.m. to high noon through historic downtown Lakeside. The parade features equestrians, floats, bands, clowns, color guards and drill teams, local dignitaries and more. Find details at www.LakesideChamber.org.

SPRING GARDEN AND BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL APRIL 27

The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego invites you to its annual Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival on April 27th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors can watch butterfly releases and enjoy a butterfly pavilion.  There will also be plant sales, tours, crafts, vendors, story time with Miss Metamorphosis and the Ms. Smarty-Plants Pollinator Party.

For full details, you can visit www.springgardenfestival.com.

LA MESA EARTH DAY FESTIVAL APRIL 27

A Pedal for the Planet Trail Ride, arts and crafts, vendors, STEM activities, educational materials, a bounce house and food trucks are all part of La Mesa’s Earth Day Festival.

Sponsored by the La Mesa Park and Recreational Foundation, La Mesa’s Earth Day Festival will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa. The event promises “fun for all ages.”

For more information, contact ci.la-mesa.ca.us or call Misty at 619-667-1319.

SAPS AT SEA PROUDLY PRESENT "SNEAKY SPOUSES AND WILEY WIVES" APRIL 27

Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel and Hardy fan organization, have announced their April meeting, "Sneaky Spouses and Wiley Wives," on April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

The Saps will screen a cartoon, then 1931's Come Clean, with this month's feature film being The Sons of the Desert (1933).  

This month's guest comedian is Charlie Chase in Hasty Marriage (1931).  Cake and refreshments will be served.  The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7.  

For more information, visit the Saps at Sea Facebook page.

​That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more in the

calendar and events section at our website, www.EastCountyMagazine.org.

If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!