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By Miriam Raftery
July 3, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- July brings Independence Day celebrations including 4th of July parades in Julian and Alpine, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival as well as Independence Day celebrations in Santee, El Cajon and Poway.
Plus, we have even more July events, including The Sunshine Boys at Lamplighters Theater in La Mesa, the Descanso Days Parade and Fair, Watermelon Days at Oasis Camel Dairy, Pine Valley Days, and a Sip of Julian.
There are also some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in parks across our region, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
JULY EVENTS
JULIAN’S 4th OF JULY PARADE
Julian’s annual 4th of July parade celebrates the town’s gold rush history, the dedication of veterans and active duty military members, and local residents who cherish the small town lifestyle in the mountains of San Diego’s East County.
The parade rolls out at 10 a.m. down the town’s Main Street, with activities continuing until 5 p.m. Parade entries include the Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, mariachis, bagpipes, vintage tractors and antique cars, belly dancers, Mr. and Mrs. Apple Days, Supervisor Dianne Jacob and more.
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN EL CAJON
The city of El Cajon invites you to celebrate Independence Day with numerous games, live musical entertainment and fireworks. On Thursday, July 4th, the El Cajon Recreation Department will host the annual picnic and celebration from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Avenue) in El Cajon.
LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FEST
The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest will also be held on July 4th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This event features food, fun, bands, and fireworks.
Fireworks will be launched from a barge on the lake for viewing throughout the community The music fest will be held on the San Carlos side of the lake, but the La Mesa side will also be open throughout the day and evening for fireworks viewing. For more information, you can visit www.LakeMurrayFireworks.org.
SANTEE SALUTES JULY 4
Santee Salutes is the city of Santee’s July 4th celebration held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Dr.) from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. The festivities include live music by the 90z All Stars, a kids’ fun zone, a food area, a patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.
A complimentary shuttle service runs from 3:30 to 11 p.m. from the Costco parking lot on Cuyamaca, or you can purchase parking and reserve a canopy in advance (Purchase Here).
Barbecues, glass and hard liquor are prohibited at this event.
ALPINE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND CARNIVAL
Alpine will roll out an old-fashioned 4th of July parade and a carnival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade includes entries ranging from antique cars to costumed children along Alpine Blvd., ending at the Alpine Community Center Park, home of the Alpine Veterans Wall of Honor.
There you can enjoy live music, a deep pit barbecue, and a carnival with plenty of activities for children and families.
AN OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY IN POWAY
Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Rd., Poway) will host an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, 20th Century style from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4th. The historic park will have patriotic entertainment, Western re-enactors, model train displays, crafts, old-fashioned games, and for a nominal fee, tasty treats and rides on a historic railway.
Shuttles are available from Poway City Hall’s parking lot (13325 Civic Center Dr.) and Poway Adult School (13626 Twin Peaks Rd.)
After the daytime activities, you can drive over to Poway High School (15500 Espola Rd.) to watch fireworks at 9 p.m.
SUNSHINE BOYS JULY 5-AUG. 5 AT LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE
Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” from July 5th through August 4th on Friday and Saturday nights, plus Sunday afternoon matinees.
A young theatrical agent attempts to reunite his elderly uncle, a former vaudevillian great, with his long-time stage partner for a TV reunion.
For tickets, you can visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/.
DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 6
The annual Descanso Days Parade and Fair will take place on July 6th. The parade rolls out at 9 a.m. along Viejas Grade Road. The fair will be held at the historic Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Rd.) from 11 am.until 6 p.m.
This year’s theme is “A Blast from the Past” with live music by the “Get Grooving” dance band.
WATERMELON DAYS AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY JULY 13-14
It’s time again for Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona July 13th and 14th from 11:30 to 6 p.m. You can feed watermelons to camels, play games such as watermelon splash and toss, watch an exotic bird and animal show, feed miniature sheep in sheep town, and even ride a camel.
For details, visit www.CamelDairy.com.
PINE VALLEY DAYS JULY 26-27
The Mountain Empire Men’s Club will present Pine Valley Days July 26th and 27th. The two-day festival begins with a deep pit barbecue from 5 to 9 p.m.on Friday night and live music by Barbwire from 6 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, there’s breakfast at the Clubhouse at 7 a.m. followed by the Pine Valley Days Parade at 9 a.m. along Old Highway 80 from the Pine Valley Library to the middle school. Next up there’s a full day of activities in Pine Valley Park including children’s activities, arts and crafts, vendors, live music, food, and a horseshoe tournament.
For more information, visit www.PineValleyDays.com.
A SIP OF JULIAN JULY 27
A Sip of Julian on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will feature ten tasting rooms offering samples of beer, wine, hard cider and craft cocktails with small food pairings.
Tickets ($35) are available at the Julian town hall (2129 Main Street). Proceeds will be used to fund the annual Julian Country Christmas and Tree Lighting ceremony.
ALL SUMMER LONG EVENTS:
VIEJAS MOVIES AT THE ROLLER RINK IN ALPINE
Grab your popcorn – it’s time for (free!) summertime movies at the outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlets shopping mall (5005 Willows Rd.) in Alpine. Showtimes start at 7:30 p.m. each Friday night from now through early July.
The lineup of popular movies coming up in in July includes Star Wars: The Force Awakens, How to Train a Dragon 3, the Lego Movie, Jungle Book, and Inside Out.
For a full schedule, visit www.viejas.com.
DIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHTS AT KROC CENTER
The Salvation Army Joan Kroc Community Center (6845 University Ave), just one block west of La Mesa, invites you to a series of Dive-In Movies that you can watch in the swimming pool.
All shows start at 7 p.m. ($5 for nonmembers, members free)
On July 17, you can watch Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, followed by How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World on August 7.
MOVIES IN THE PARK IN EL CAJON
El Cajon’s popular movies in the park run all summer long at parks across the city.
The July lineup includes Aquaman at the Fletcher Hills Pool on July 6, Incredibles 2 at Bill Beck Park, on July 12 Big Hero 6 at Bostonia Park on July 19, as well as Ant Man and the Wasp at Kennedy Park on July 26.
Guests can enjoy additional fun activities before the start of the movie at nightfall.
For a full list of shows all summer long, visit www.elcajonrec.org or call (619) 873-1641.
LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Lemon Grove’s summer concert series opens June 27th and continues through August 22nd each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berry Park (7071 Mt. Vernon St.)
The July and August concerts coming up will include salsa, Cajun-zydeco, rock and roll, Motown, country music and more. Check the city of Lemon Grove’s website calendar for a full schedule (https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/2096/180?curm=6&cury=2019).
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 all summer long.
You can bring a picnic dinner, or dine early at one of the many restaurants nearby before rocking out at the outdoor (free) concert.
For full details, visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.
SANTEE’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES OPENS JUNE 13
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 all summer long, through August 22nd.
July’s shows include the Bill Magee Blues Band, Three Chord Justice, and Bump City Brass.
The City of Santee has the full line-up of artists on its website (http://cityofsanteeca.gov/services/event-calendar).
LA MESA SUNDAY AT SIX CONCERTS
The city of La Mesa’s “Sundays at Six” concert series continues at Harry Griffin Park (9550 Milden St.) in the outdoor amphitheatre each Sunday evening at 6 p.m.through July 28th.
July’s performers are Wild Nights, Ginger Cowgirl, 8-Track Highway, and Sonic Epidemic. Find more information on the city’s website (http://cityoflamesa.com/409/Special-Events).
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 29th, though there will be no show over the 4th of July weekend.
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 cars.
Find full details at the La Mesa Village Association website (http://www.lamesavillageassociation.org/events/classic-car-show.aspx).
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.
July’s car show themes include American Muscle, Off Road Madness, Groovy Vans, VW Mania, and Thrillseekers.
For a full schedule of events, you can visit https://downtownelcajon.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!
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