DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: LATE APRIL AND MERRY MAY EVENTS

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Late springtime in East County is blossoming with unique events including a lilac festival in Julian, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, concerts starring Neil Young and Tanya Tucker, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, a Spring Festival at Cuyamaca College, Vintage Alpine, Mother’s Day teas, a Taste of Ramona, and Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine.

LILAC FESTIVAL NOW THROUGH MAY 12

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, invites you to their 9th annual Lilac Festival event on Saturdays and Sundays now through Mother’s Day Weekend, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort Cross is the largest lilac farm in Southern California that sells fresh-cut bouquets directly to the public, and has lilac varieties available for purchase 7 days a week. 

Activities include archery, tomahawk throwing, slingshot range, farm animal visit, reptile show, spring wagon rides, hoedowns & jug band shows, a treasure hunt, and much more. For a small admission fee, you can also stroll through the lilac maze and enjoy  walking trails, petting zoo, tire swings, a jug band, and old-time games on the farm.

You can reserve space and get more information at fortcross.com/lilac-festival.

LAKESIDE RODEO APRIL 25-28

Lakeside’s annual rodeo will be held April 25th through 28th  featuring events such as bronco and bull riding, barrel racing and more. 

A tradition for more than a century, the rodeo began back in 1920 and today benefits youth groups in the Lakeside community.  Tickets are available at LakesideRodeo.com.

LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS PARADE APRIL 27

Lakeside’s Western Days Parade rolls out on Saturday, April 27 starting at 9:35 am.

The parade route starts on Woodside Avenue and proceeds down Maine Avenue. This year’s theme is Lakeside:  a great small town.

The parade is organized by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce,  and you can find more information at LakesideChamber.org.

NEIL YOUNG CONCERT APRIL 27 AT SDSU

Legendary musician Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse will perform live at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at San Diego State University on April 27.

Winner of multiple Grammy awards, Neil Young has previously performed with such big-name bands as Crosby, Stills and Nash and Buffalo Springfield. His hit songs include Freedom, Philadelphia, and Harvest Moon.

Tickets are available at as.sdsu.edu/calcoast or google Cal Coast Open Air Theatre for details.

SWEET PEA DAY AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS APRIL 27

Summers Past Farms invites you to Sweat Pea Day on Saturday, April 27.

Stroll through their fragrant sweet pea maze and purchase a bouquet of cut sweet pea flowers to take home.

The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but early arrival is recommended, since the sweet pea bouquets have been known to sell out quickly.

For more information, visit summerspastfarms.com. 

SPRING FESTIVAL MAY 4 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

Cuyamaca College invites you to celebrate the season at its Spring Festival on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s event is hosted by the Ornamental Horticultural Dept. and Heritage of the Americas Museum. 

This event includes a plant sale and classroom demonstrations in the Cuyamaca College Nursery, as well as an arts and crafts fair at the museum and special performances by The Gravities, The Reckless, Experimental Lover, DJ Freedi, and The Vinyl Shop.

Cuyamaca College is located in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.  

For more information, visit Cuyamaca.edu. 

VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 5

The 37th annual Vintage Alpine, a wine and food experience in the country, will be held on May 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms  in Flinn Springs. 

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, this event traditionally offers tastes from over 40 local wineries, as well as samples of foods from local restaurants and sips from local breweries. 

You can also enjoy live, relaxing music and a silent auction in a beautiful garden setting.

For tickets, visit vintagealpine.org.

MOTHER’S DAY TEAS MAY 9-13 IN JULIAN

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts is serving Mother’s Day Teas  May 9 through 13.  These special teas include finger sandwiches and savories, scones, tea breads and desserts.

Teas will be served both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Special menus are available with advance request for vegetarian, gluten-free, and children’s options.

There are several seating times each day between 11:30 and 2:30.

For reservations, visit JulianTea.com.

TASTE OF RAMONA MAY 18

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce invites you to savor a Taste of Ramona on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Your ticket includes tastes from 19 participants at 15 locations including foods from local restaurants, caterers and bakeries as well as wine and hard cider.

For all the delicious details, visit  ramonachamber.com/taste-of-ramona.

TANYA TUCKER CONCERT MAY 19  AT THE MAGNOLIA

Tanya Tucker, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last October, will be performing live at the Magnolia in El Cajon on May 19.

Since her first hit, “Delta Dawn” in 1972, Tucker has rocketed to stardom with a streak of top-10 hits, several albums, and multiple Country Music Association award nominations.   

Her 2019 album, “While I’m Livin’,” won the Grammy Award for best country album. “Bring My Flowers Now” won a shared Grammy for best country song.

Tucker’s latest album is a 2023 critically acclaimed collaboration with Brandi Carlile called Sweet Western Sound. 

For more information, visit  magnoliasandiego.com. 

EL CAJON CONCERTS IN THE PARK EVERY FRIDAY

El Cajon’s Concerts in the Park continue each Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.

May’s performers include  Twisted Gypsy, Soul Persuaders, Patrick Trampus, Detroit Underground, and the Morgan Lee Band.

For a full list of these outdoor community concerts, visit downtownelcajon.com. 

WILD IN THE COUNTRY MAY 18 AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS

Lions, Tigers and Bears, an exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine, invites you to “Wild in the Country” on May 18.

The sanctuary’s biggest annual fundraiser features live and silent auctions, a luncheon, entertainment, and opportunities to view the big cats and other rescued animals.

For tickets and details, visit lionstigersandbears.org

That’s all for this week. We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County.