Printer-friendly version
East County News Service
August 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features the HeART of Mt. Helix food, wine and art festival, Mary Poppins Returns at MacArthur Park in La Mesa, a star party at Mission Trails, a twilight walk at Mission Trails, Beat the Heat activities at Stelzer Park in Lakeside, DJ nights at Viejas Roller Rink in Alpine, the Captain Marvel movie August 17 at Wells Park in EL Cajon, Elvis Tribute concerts in Lemon Grove and El Cajon, Queen Nation in concert in Santee, Cajon Speedway family night and more.
Plus, we have a preview of coming events including powwows at Barona and Sycuan, a sky hunters demonstration with birds of prey in Julian, a Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, the Campo Grape Picking and Stomping Party, and more.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
HEART OF MT. HELIX AUGUST 10
You’re invited to come party for a purpose at the HeART of Mt. Helix wine, food and art festival to benefit the Mt. Helix Park on August 10th from 5 to 10 p.m. Against the backdrop of the setting sun and 360-degree views atop Mt. Helix.
Against the backdrop of the setting sun at the historic Mt. Helix Park and amphitheatre known for its 360-degree views, guests will enjoy samples from top local restaurants and wineries plus signature cocktails, as well as live art, musical vignettes, a raffle and silent auction, plus dancing under the stars to the Good Mojo Band.
For tickets, visit www.MtHelixPark.org.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS MOVIE AUG. 16 AT MACARTHUR PARK, LA MESA
The last of La Mesa’s outdoor summer movies will be a screening of “Mary Poppins Returns” on August 16 at dusk in MacArthur Park (4900 Meorial Drive.)
Bring a picnic along with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this family activity in the park.
STAR PARTIES AT MISSION TRAILS AUG. 16
You’re invited to join Mission Trails Regional Park volunteers and members from the San Diego Astronomy Association for viewings of the night sky through telescopes on August 16th at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association will be set up with their telescopes at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s Day Use Lot.
Please avoid the use of flashlights and white light in the area of the events. Cloudy skies and/or rain cancels this (free) event.
TWILIGHT WALK AT MISSION TRAILS AUGUST 17
You’re invited to join trail guides at Mission Trails Regional Park in a twilight walk on August 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. You’ll learn about changes that occur at dusk as the sun goes down.
Meet at the parking lot at the corner of Bushy Hill Drive and Father Serra Trail across from the Kumeyaay Lake campground. Bring a flashlight and an extra layer of clothes since it often cools down after the sun sets.
For more information, visit www.MTRP.org.
BEAT THE HEAT AUG. 18 AT STELZER PARK IN LAKESIDE
Hey kids – County Parks invites you to come beat the heat at the Louis Stelzer Park in Lakeside(11470 Wildcat Canyon Rd.) on August 18 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m
Participants can enjoy sprinklers, water guns and water games while learning how to conserve water and stay cool during the hotter months.
Be sure to wear sunscreen, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and wear clothes that can get wet.
For more information, call the park at 619-561-0580.
DJ NIGHTS AT VIEJAS ROLLER RINK IN ALPINE
Every Saturday night from 5-9 p.m. now through August 31st is "DJ Night" at the Roller Rink at Viejas Outlets in Alpine. DJ blues plays favorite hits while attendees skate the night away. For more information, visit www.Vieas.com.
CAPTAIN MARVEL AUGUST 17 AT WELLS PARK IN EL CAJON
El Cajon’s movies in the park series ends August 17th with a showing of “Captain Marvel” at Wells Park (1153 East Madison).
Guests can enjoy additional fun activities before the start of the movie at nightfall.
LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Lemon Grove’s summer concert series continues each Thursday evening through August 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berry Street Park (7071 Mt. Vernon St.)
The last concerts are an August 8th Elvis Tribute titled “Suspicious Minds,” followed by Rachel Aldous and the Road Home County on August 17th, closing out the season with The Routine performing Funk and Soul on August 22.
DINNER AND A CONCERT SERIES IN EL CAJON
El Cajon’s popular Dinner and a Concert series is held each Friday evening at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon from 6 to 8 p.m. Shows will continue through September.
You can bring a picnic dinner, or dine early at one of the many restaurants nearby before rocking out at the outdoor (free) concerts.
Upcoming concerts include a Tribute to Woodstock with the Stand Up Guys August 16, an Elvis Tribute with Scot Bruce August 23, and Lightening Train doing Western Swing August 30.
For full details, visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.
SANTEE’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Santee’s summer concert series is being held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) on Thursday nights . The last two concerts this season are Queen Nation performing a tribute to the rock band Queen on August 15 and the Mighty Untouchables on August 22 performing Motown, classic rock, Latin, country and more.
CLASSIC CAR SHOWS IN LA MESA
The La Mesa Village Association rolls out its La Mesa Classic Car Show each Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. starting June 6th and running through August.
This event features pre-1974 cars, trucks, and vans! The event will feature DJ’s and live bands located at 3rd and La Mesa Blvd, and an award giveaway at each event honoring the night’s best car.
August 15 features live music by Total Recall and on August 22, there’s an air guitar contest and a women’s auto maintenance class. The final night on August 29 has live music by the Siers Brothers.
EL CAJON CLASSIC CRUISES EACH WEDNESDAY
El Cajon’s Classic Cruise Nights is celebrating its centennial season. You can view classic cars each Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. along Main Street in the heart of downtown El Cajon.
August 14 is Cajon Speedway family night, followed by the Rat Rod Rally on August 22 and Harley Davidson Night August 29.
For a full schedule of events, you can visit https://downtownelcajon.com.
BARONA POWWOW AUG. 30-SEPT. 1
The 49th annual Barona Powwow takes place Friday, August 30th through Sunday, September 1st at the Barona Sports complex on the Barona Indian reservation.
The public is welcome to come watch Native dancers and drummers from across the nation compete at the powwow, where you can also find craft vendors and food such as tacos made with Native American fry bread.
For details, please visit https://www.barona-nsn.gov/2019powwow.
SKY HUNTERS AUG. 31 IN JULIAN
Sky Hunters invites you to William Heise County Park in Julian (4945 Heise Park Rd., Julian) on Saturday, August 31st from 5 to 6 p.m. to learn about hawks, owls, falcons and eagles.
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you found a sick or injured raptor or if there were any laws to protect these magnificent birds? This program is not only educational but also allows you to view these amazing birds closer than you normally would in the wild.
For more information, call the park at 760-765-0650 (or follow the event on Facebook.)
SAPS AT SEA COMEDY AUGUST 31
Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan society, invites you to their next meeting on August 31. in Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley. The doors open at 6:30 for the 7 p.m. show.
This month, the Saps will start with another cartoon starring Bugs Bunny. Then, Stan and Ollie escape the law and end up at the top of a skyscraper under construction in Liberty with an accompanying musical score played by the Saps' own Russ Peck.
This month's guest comedians are Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in Air Fright (1933). After intermission, the Saps will screen Flying Deuces.
For more information, visit the Saps at Sea San Diego Facebook page.
SYCUAN POWWOW SEPT. 6-8
The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation will hold its 30th annual powwow from Friday evening, September 6 through Sunday, September 8 at the Sycuan powwow ground (5577 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon).
The event features bird singing and Native American dance competitions, drumming, Native arts and crafts vendors, foods and more.
For details on the powwow, visit https://sctca.net/flyer/30th-annual-sycuan-powwow/.
CAMPO GRAPE PICKING AND STOMPING PARTY SEPT. 7
Campo Creek Vineyards (29556 Highway 94 in Campo) will host a grape picking and stomping party complete with barbecue on September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event admission ($20 for ages 6 and up) includes barbecue trip tip and chicken provided by Heftyboy BBQ and one beverage.
Additional drink tickets are available, along with wine by the glass, water and soda.
RSVP by September 1st at (619) 478-2222 or at www.CampoCreekVineyards.com.
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 soon with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
Recent comments