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By Miriam Raftery
May 3, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Late springtime in East County is blossoming with unique events including Campo Days, Santee's Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, an artists’ reception at Olaf Wieghorst Museumi n ElCajon, a lilac festival in Julian, Vintage Alpine, Mother’s Day teas, La Mesa’s Art in the Park, Gifts from the Garden, a Taste of Ramona, El Cajon concerts in the park, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Santee Street Fair & Craft Beer Festival.
For a full list of festive fun events, scroll down.
CAMPO DAYS MAY 4-5
Campo Days on May 4-5 will take you back in time to explore the wild west legends, rich history, and hidden gems.
The event is held at four museums in Campo including th Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, where you can take a ride on a vintage train, the Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum, the Motor Transport Museum with vintage vehicles and mining displays, and the Camp Lockett Equestrian and Event Facility, on the grounds of a historic military outpost with a museum honoring the famed Buffalo Soldiers, the last mounted cavalry unit in California.
For full details, visit https://visitcampo.com.
WIEGHORST ART RECEPTION MAY 4
The Olaf Wieghorst Museum cordially invites you to attend opening reception for local artists AJ Bartelle and Gail Nellans who will be exhibiting their original works at the museum during the month of May 2024.
The reception will be held Saturday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Olaf Wieghorst Museum, 131 Rea Avenue, El Cajon.
There is no charge, and parking is free. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.
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.
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
GARDEN GIFT SHOP REOPENS ON MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
You’re invited to the grand reopening and newly refurbished “Gifts from the Garden” gift shop at the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Discover one-of-a-kind crafts, art pieces, and garden treasures—the perfect gifts for Mom. Visitors will also receive a do-it-yourself succulent for Mom with every purchase.
The Garden is located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community.
ROTARY BOWLING FUNDRAISER AT PARKWAY BOWL MAY 10
La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club invites you to their FUNdraiser bowling event on Friday, May 10 from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. at Parkway Bowl in El Cajon.
Options include individual entry a team of four or cosmic bowling with black lights.music and glo-sticks.
All profits from entry fees and a raffle will benefit services and projects sponsored by the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Foundation including scholarships for high school seniors, the La Mesa Community Garden, Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide, and more.
To register, click here
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.
ART IN THE PARK MAY 18 IN LA MESA
The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation and City of La Mesa bring together local artists, performers, art enthusiasts, and the community for an afternoon of inspiration and creativity during the annual Art in the Park event.
This event aims to foster appreciation for the arts while providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents. It will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 2-6 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Garden in MacArthur Park.
Visitors can expect a diverse range of artistic expressions, live painting and sketch artist demonstrations, art vendors, performing artists, art show displayed through the garden, and more.
Art in the Park will also feature live music performances, food trucks, drinks, opportunity drawings, and interactive activities for children. Early Bird Packages can be purchased online through May 13 at a 30% discount.
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.
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
SANTEE STREET FAIR & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL MAY 25
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