DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JULY 26-SEPT. 7

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East County News Service

July 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features some end of July festivities and hot August nights events including Pine Valley Days, a Sip of Julian, the Jamul Winetasting Festival, Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a concert at Santee Lakes, Julian’s Natural Wonderfest, the Ramona Country Fair, a grape stomp in Campo, a Laurel and Hardy event in Spring Valley, the Julian Star Fest, the HeART of Mt. Helix art and wine festival, a twilight walk at Mission Trails Regional Park and the Barona Powwow.

There are also some all summer long events including rollerskating DJ nights in Alpine, outdoor concerts and movies in parks across our region, movies in La Mesa, 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!

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.

WINE TASTING FESTIVAL IN JAMUL JULY 27

D&S Farms, home to Granite Lion Cellars in Jamul, will host a wine tasting festival to benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church’s parish improvement fund on Saturday, July 27th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The event will feature at least 10 different local wineries and breweries, plus live entertainment and a silent auction.that also features live entertainment, food, and craft beer on Saturday, July 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The event will benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church’s parish improvement fund, earmarked for heating and air conditioning repairs.

This event is open to ages 21 and up. Tickets can be purchased at stpiusxjamul.com or by calling 619-669-0085.

ROCK N' ROLL AND COUNTRY MUSIC GROUPS HEADLINE SANTEE'S CONCERT AT THE LAKES JULY 27

The July 27 Concert at the Lakes in Santee will feature a “whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll and a little bit of country,” according to organizers. This year’s lineup of the event at Santee Lakes will feature Shannon Rae & 100 Proof, Tom Petty and the Heartshakers, and DSB.

The concert is open to those age 14 and up.  Lawn and table tickets are available at https://www.concertatthelakes.com/.

JULIAN NATURAL WONDERFEST

Julian Natural Wonderfest is an event to celebrate nature by day and night. This event will be held on Saturday, August 3rd from 4 to 11 p.m. at Jess Martin Park in Julian. A free shuttle will be offered from the heart of historic Julian to the park to this event for all ages.

Activities will include wildlife encounters, music, art, and a star party to view the Milky Way. For more information, you can visit www.NaturalWonderfest.com

RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR AUGUST 1-4

The Ramona Country Fair takes pace August 1st through 4th at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (421 Aqua Lane). 

Fair goers will explore  the “Gateway to Adventure" which features outdoor adventure zones, rock climbing, amusement rides, contests, animals, attractions, vendors, western shows, medieval demonstrations, a wine festival and more.

The Ramona Country Fair is presented by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce. (Admission is free; Parking is $10 a day or $15 for unlimited parking.)  For more information, you can visit RamonaChamber.com

MOVIES IN THE PARK IN LA MESA

Enjoy two free outdoor movies as part of the 2019 Summer Movies in the Parks series. Movies are free to the public and will be shown on a large screen. Bring a picnic along with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this family activity in the park. Movies will begin at dusk. 

August 2:  “Incredibles 2” at La Mesita Park, 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa
 
August 16: “Mary Poppins Returns” at MacArthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive
 
These fun events for the whole family are sponsored by Allied Global Marketing, EDCO Disposal, Grahovac Construction, Grossmont Center, Laurie MacDonald of Coldwell Banker West, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the City of La Mesa and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation. 
 

For more information, email friends@lamesaparks.org or call 619.667.1300.

JULIAN STAR FEST: PUBLIC STARGAZING AUGUST 3

The Julian Starfest will be held August 1st through 4th at Menghini Winery in Julian (1150 Julian Orchards Dr.) On Saturday night, August 3rd, members of the San Diego Astronomy Association will have telescopes set up for viewing from dusk to 10:30 pm.  

For more information, visit www.julianstarfest.com.

HERMAN’S HERMITS AT SYCUAN AUGUST 3

The legendary ‘60s British rock band Herman’s Hermits with its original lead singer Peter Noone will be live in concert at Sycuan on August 3rd with shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

They stormed the American pop charts 22 times with smash hits such as “Can’t You Hear My Heart Beat,” “There’s a Kind of Hush” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.” The boys from Manchester ultimately sold over 80 million records including seven gold albums, inspiring fans around the world.

Tickets to the concerts are available at Sycuan.com/events/

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.

 

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.

 

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.

SAPS AT SEA PRESENT: 'FUNNY FROM THE GROUND UP' 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 at 6:30 p.m. in Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley. 

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 (1929) with an accompanying score by the Saps' own Russ Peck.

This month's guest comedians are Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly as the girls experience extreme Air Fright (1933).  After intermission, the Saps will screen Flying Deuces (1939). 

The doors open at 6:30 with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.  For more information, visit the Saps at Sea San Diego Facebook page.

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.

ALL SUMMER LONG EVENTS:  

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 Ooutlets in Alpine. DJ blues plays favorite hits while attendees skate the night away. For more information visit www.Vieas.com .

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 July includes Star Wars: The Force Awakens, How to Train Your 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 

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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