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By Miriam Raftery
October 1, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- There are some outrageous October outings in East County this year, including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, an autumn jubilee in Wynola Hauntfest on Main and a Haunted Circus in El Cajon, a Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch near Julian, Rolling Pumpkins at Parkway Plaza, Julian Wonderfest, and Pumpkin Express train rides in Campo.
Here are the haunting details.
HAUNTED HARVEST AT FORT CROSS SATURDAY NIGHTS IN OCTOBER
Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Wynola near Julian hosts a Haunted Harvest night each Saturday in October.
The spooky fun includes a haunted hayride, music, dancing, ghost stories, and more. For reservations and details, visit www.FortCross.com.
LA MESA OKTOBERFEST OCT. 4-6
La Mesa hosts its Oktoberfest October 4 through 6.
This beloved Bavarian-style festival drawing revelers for three days of vibrant live music, authentic German cuisine, German and Craft beers, capturing the spirit of Munich.
The celebration includes three beer gardens with live entertainment, plus an artisan market and food fair, German Kinder Karnival with rides, Glücklich Games, dachshund races, and a pop-up pumpkin patch.
For more information, visit LaMesaOktoberfest.org.
EL CAJON OKTOBERFEST CONTINUES FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER
The German American Societies of San Diego invites you to authentic German celebrations with Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The festivities are at 1017 S Mollison in El Cajon. The celebration began the last weekend in September and continues the first weekend in October on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries as well as German beers and liquors. The event includes live music with a band from Germany, traditional folk dancing, stein-holding competitions, games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and shopping booths.
For details, visit Germanclubsandiego.org.
HAUNTED FOREST AT GHOST TOWN BANNER CITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
You can get into the Halloween spooky spirit at Ghost Town Banner City's The Haunted Forest in Julian each Friday and Saturday night in October from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on Halloween night.
The Haunted Forest is a half-mile Halloween walk, located at historic Banner Ranch by the Banner Store, about seven miles from Julian. An old orchard area is decorated with graveyards, ghosts, and ghouls galore, Costumes are encouraged. Wear comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes,
Parental discretion is advised though due to some light gory content. This adventure also contains strobe lights and sudden sounds/movements.
Tickets are available at the General Store before each event. These spooky outdoor walks are weather permitting; you can call 760-237-0046 to confirm if the Haunted Forest is open.
For more information, visit BannerRanchJulian.com .
JULIAN AUTUMN JUBILEE: EACH WEEKEND IN OCTOBER
The 9th annual Julian Autumn Jubilee is happening at Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Wynola near Julian each Saturday and Sunday through October 27th.
There’s a giant pumpkin patch, as well as activities including a hayride, hoedown and jug band show, cider pressing, farm animals, reptile show, candle dipping, crafts, treasure hunt, archery, tomahawk throwing, slingshot range, pumpkin patch, spooky maze, jug band room, walking trails, and more.
For tickets and details, visit www.FortCross.com
HAUNT FEST ON MAIN IN EL CAJON OCT. 18
Hauntfest on Main is a family-friendly Halloween themed event held on Main Street in downtown El Cajon on October 18th. Downtown El Cajon. This free event features live music, costume contests, carnival rides, a haunted car show, and a variety of local vendors offering food, crafts, and games.
There’s also a scary petting zoo, a candy trail, rock climbing wall, face painting, airbrush tattoos and stilt walkers.
In addition, the Magnolia performing arts center hosts a Haunted Circus during Hauntfest, feature a Super Hero & Villains Halloween themed circus show by Twisted Orbit Circus Entertainment.
Acts include jugglers, contortionists, acrobats, hoop throwers, stilt walkers, crystal balls and more.
For more information, google “HauntFest.org”
JULIAN WONDERFEST
Julian Wonderfest offers free awe-inspiring activities, from wildlife encounters, music, and art by day to an evening star party to view the night skies. This special event, held on Saturday, October 26 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Menghini Winery in Julian, also features games and activities, food vendors, access to the winery tasting room, and outreach booths from land preservation and nature-focused organizations.
This event is organized by the Volcan Mountain Foundation, Julian Dark Sky Network, and the Julian Chamber of Commerce.
Find more information at https://visitjulian.com/to-see-do/special-events/julian-natural-wonderfest/ or at the Julian Wonderfest Facebook page
ROLLING PUMPKINS AT PARKWAY PLAZA ALL MONTH LONG
Rolling Pumpkins are back at Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon, bringing fall fun now through November 1st in the parking lot on the southwest side of the mall.
You can bring the whole family out to enjoy a wide range of fall festivities, including rides, games, giant inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides, and, of course, plenty of pumpkins.
Rolling Pumpkins will be open Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PUMPKIN EXPRESS TRAIN RIDES IN CAMPO EACH WEEKEND IN OCTOBER
You’re invited to join the Pumpkin Express Halloween Celebration each Saturday and Sunday in October at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo.
You can ride decorated vintage railcars through the San Diego County back country as fall descends through some of the most scenic parts of the historic San Diego and Arizona Railway.
After the train returns to the museum grounds, passengers head to the Display Building where children and their parents enjoy decorating pumpkins from an outdoor pumpkin patch and viewing a collection of Halloween scenes and haunted train cars
For a new ADULTS-ONLY spooktacular experience, check out the Sip & Scare Sunset Special, Saturdays in October at 6:30 p.m.
For tickets and details, visit Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s website at.PSRM.org/pumpkin/.
That’s all for this week! We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!
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