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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!
THIS WEEK
STAR PARTY IN LAKESIDE AUGUST 12
You’re invited to join county park staff and the San Diego Astronomy Association for an evening of stargazing and a family campout at Oakoasis campground in Lakeside on August 12th. The fun starts with a sunset hike from 7 to 9 p.m. to search for bats and scorpions, followed by an evening of stargazing, campfire songs, storytelling, and s’mores.
(Evening activities are free; campsite spaces are $24 for overnight stays). For reservations and information, you can call (858) 563-3600.
DIVE-IN MOVIE AT KROC CENTER AUGUST 16
What better way to cool off on a hot summer night than at a dive-in movie in the swimming pool at Kroc Center? You can chill out in the pool on August 16 starting at 7 p.m. and watch Moana, a Disney movie with showtime at dusk. For details visit www.sd.kroccenter.org.
CAJON CLASSIC CRUISES EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Cajon Classic Cruises continue each Wednesday night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street in downtown El Cajon. The next few shows are Cajon Speedway family night on August 16th, classic car appreciation night August 23rd, and for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Harley Davidson Stampede on August 30th.
You can find the entire summer and fall schedule of Cajon Classic Cruises at DowntownElCajon.com.
EL CAJON DINNER AND A CONCERT SERIES FRIDAY NIGHTS
El Cajon offers its summer concerts on Friday nights all summer long. The next shows are the Heroes on August 18 and Back to the Garden August 25. For details, visit DowntownElCajon.com.
LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK THURSDAY NIGHTS
Lemon Grove’s summer concerts in the park series continues each Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Berry Street Park (7071 Mount Vernon) in Lemon Grove. The next show on August 17 features Brothers with Cajun and zydeco music of New Orleans.
SANTEE SUMMER CONCERTS THURSDAYS
Santee’s summer concert series is held each Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive).
On August 17, Upstream will perform Caribbean and reggae music. Santee’s summer concert season ends on August 24, with variety music by the Mighty Untouchables.
ICE SKATING AT KROC CENTER ALL SUMMER LONG
Here’s another cool way to beat the heat. The Kroc Center also offers public ice skating sessions each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 to 5 :30 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. all summer long.
Skate rentals are available. Kroc Center is located at 6737 University Avenue, just west of 70th street. For rates and details, visit sd.kroccenter.org.
NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
CHIPPENDALES AUGUST 19 AT SYCUAN
Listen up ladies – the Chippendales will be onstage with their all-male revealing review at Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre in El Cajon on August 19 at 7 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. How much will they dare to bare? For tickets and details, you can visit Sycuan.com.
RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR AUGUST 24-27
The annual Ramona Country Fair will be held August 24-27 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (421 Aqua Lane, Ramona).
Crafts, carnival rides, contests, vendors, live entertainment, fair food and lots of fun are highlights of this event. A Western show and the 2nd Ramona motorcycle rally are also being held this year.
The fair is open Thursday and Friday evening, August 24 and 25 and all day on Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27. For full hours and details, visit facebook.com/RamonaCountryFair
WORLD WAR II VETS SPEAK AT AIR GROUP ONE BREAKFAST AUG. 26
Commemorative Air Force - Air Group One invites you to attend their monthly breakfast meeting on Saturday, August 26, at 9 a.m., at their hangar (1921 N. Marshall Ave. Hangar #13) at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.
Guest speakers will include Heroic WWII Veterans speaking about their experiences. Brave aircrews that flew B-24s in England, over the D-Day invasion, Iwo Jima, the Berlin Airlift, and more. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from the heroes that were there, tell it in their own words. These men represent a piece of WII living history that is rapidly disappearing. (A $5 donation for the breakfast is requested.)
For more information, visit the Air Group One website at www.ag1caf.org.
SAPS AT SEA PRESENT LAUREL AND HARDY FILMS AUGUST 26
Thelma, Stan & Ollie will be the theme at the next gathering of the Saps at Sea, the Laurel & Hardy Sons of the Desert association in San Diego, on August 26th at 7 p.m. at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley.
The event highlights works of Thelma Todd. This bubbly blonde was not only a highly-respected actress and comedian, but a long time favorite of the Saps featured in several hilarious comedy clips that will be shown.
BARONA POW-WOW SEPT. 1-3
The 47th annual Barona pow-wow will be held September 1-3 at the Barona reservation pow-wow grounds in Lakeside. Native American dancers from across the United States will compete for prizes and the public is welcome to attend. You can also shop for Native American arts, crafts, jewelry items and more, plus sample foods such as Indian fry bread tacos.
For details visit Barona Powwow on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/BaronaPowwow/)
DESCANSO DEEP PIT BARBECUE SEPT. 3
Savor the flavors of slow-cooked barbecue beef at Descanso’s 80th annual Deep Pit Barbecue on September 3rd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church.
In addition to delicious food, you can enjoy boot-scootin’ country Western music by Smith and Western, crafts, vendors, kids’ games, crafts, and prize drawing.
For more information visit https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/savor-flavor-descanso-holds-80th-annual-deep-pit-barbecue-labor-day-weekend.
JULIAN ARTS GUILD FALL SHOW SEPT. 2-4
The Julian Arts Guild will hold its Fall Art Show on September 2, 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall (2129 Main Street, Julian).
This is a free event showcasing the works of talented Julian artists. Artworks displayed will include weaving, ceramics, gourd painting, drawing and mixed media.
For more information, you can visit JulianArtsGuild.org.
SYCUAN POW-WOW SEPT. 8-10
The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation will host its 28th annual Powwow on September 8th, 9th and 10th at the Sycuan reservation’s powwow grounds, next to the Sycuan Casino (5459 Sycuan Road, El Cajon).
This three-day tribal gathering attracts participants from across the nation and is open to the public. Sycuan’s powwow features traditional Native American dances, hand-drum contests, bird singing and dancing competitions, peon games, authentic Indian cuisine and more.
RAMONA GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 9
The first annual Ramona Grape Stomp is set for September 9th from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center pavilion at 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona.
To celebrate the harvest of grapes throughout the Ramona Valley, this fun family event will offer attendees the opportunity to squish grapes between their toes in grape-stomping challenges, with prizes awarded to the best stompers. Attendees can also taste award-winning wine from local wineries and check out food, arts and crafts, and children events.
The Ramona Grape Stomp is being presented by the Ramona Rotary Club, the Ramona Senior Center, and the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association Proceeds will benefit education and support services provided by these organizations, such as a senior nutrition program, college scholarships; Fourth of July fireworks; the Ramona Boys & Girls Clubs; and education on this fast-growing wine region.
You can get tickets at ramonagrapestomp.com.
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: SEPT. 16 IN LAKESIDE
Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy will present its 11th annual Once in a Blue Moon Gala and Auction at the River Valley Equestrian Center on the evening of September 16th.
You’re invited to help honor partners in conservation and raise funds for science programs for kids. This year’s event includes dinner, an auction, and an exhibition polo match.
You can learn more about the Lakeside River Park Conservancy and get tickets for Once in a Blue Moon by clicking the events tab at LakesideRiverPark.org.
ALLEY CAT ART WALK SEPT 15 IN EL CAJON
You're invited to the Alley Cat Art Walk on September 15th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy an evening of art while visting local galleries, also savoring food and drinks, plus and live bluegrass and jazz music in the alley between Rea Avenue and East Main Street in downtown El Cajon.
Arts and crafts vendors wuill have displays and products for sale, and guests can win prizes. Proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, which assists developmentally disabled adults. For more information, you can visit www.stmsc.org.
LA MESA OKTOBERFEST SEPT. 29-OCT. 1
Celebrating its 44th year, the popular La Mesa Oktoberfest will run from Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st bringing three days of “Prost”, or cheer.
In addition to live German music and other entertainment, many vendors and crafts,you can also enjoy a biergarten serving up German and craft beers, plus new this year, craft cocktails.
For more information you can visit www.LaMesaOktoberfest.org .
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS OCTOBER 13-22
Step back in time to a fur trading and colonial camp from the 1700s to 1840s at the Laguna Mountain Rendezous. This event takes place October 13 through 22 at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel.
You can see demonstrations of survival skills such as cooking, archery, tomahawk-throwing, black powder shooting and tool making. For more information you can visit the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous page on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/Laguna-Mountain-Rendezvous-154665167884580/)
That’s all for this week!
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!
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