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By Ariele Johannson
June 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East Count)--Summer is officially here – and this week’s Destination East County brings you plenty of sizzling summertime activities – from concerts and movies under the stars to night fishing, a chili cook-off, and a Firefighters Appreciation Day event to support our local heroes!
STARZ CARZ JUNE 25 AND BACK TO THE 50s JUNE 26
On Wednesday, June 25, Cajon Classic Cruise Car Show will be held with this week’s theme, “Charger Steve’s Starz Carz” on East Main Street between Magnolia and Claydell Avenues from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The 2014 season is hosted by the Downtown Business Partners.
La Mesa Village’s “Back to the 50s” Car Show is held each Thursday night from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Car Show with live music takes place along La Mesa Blvd between Acacia and Fourth Streets, in the heart of the La Mesa Village.
Cajon Classic Cruises Website: www.downtownec.com
Phone: 619-334-3000
La Mesa Back to the 50s Car Show website: http://www.lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Car-Show.aspx.
NIGHT FISHING AT SANTEE LAKES JUNE 26
Bring a lantern for night fishing under the stars at Santee Lakes on Thursday night, June 26. No fishing license is required, just a permit that you can pick up at the general store. The lake is stocked with bass and bluegill. You can fish off five docks or four fishable islands, as well as from the shore, making this a fun destination to bring the kids and get them “hooked” on fishing.
Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee.
Website: http://www.santeelakes.com.
FIREFIGHTERS CHILI COOK-OFF JUNE 26
Who’s got the hottest chili in town? Firefighters from the Alpine, Viejas and Sycuan Fire Departments will be cooking up their entries in a chili-tasting challenge during the fourth annual Firehouse Cook-Off on Thursday, June 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Alpine Library.
The public is invited to meet the firefighters, sample chili in the cook-off, and vote on which team has the best culinary skills.
OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERTS IN EAST COUNTY
East County cities are hosting concerts in several local parks this week. All of these concerts are free to the community.
On Thursday, Santee hosts the “Highwaymen” at the Santee Towne Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Friday night, El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series present the “Jones Revival,” performing new southern rock from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Then on Sunday, June 29, La Mesa’s Sundays at Six Concerts in Harry Griffen Park will feature “Trails and Rails” – cowboys and train songs. Bring your blankets, beach chairs, and barbecue or picnic dinner.
“Santee Summer Concerts” Website: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/.
El Cajon “Dinner and a Concert” series: Prescott Promenade, 229 East Main St. Phone: 619-401-8858. Website: www.downtownec.com.
La Mesa’s “Sundays at Six” is held in the amphitheatre at 6:00 pm on Sundays in June and July at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa. Website: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/familyfun.
MOVIES IN THE PARK IN EAST COUNTY JUNE 27
The “Lego Movie” will be the featured film this Friday night’s “Movies in the Park” at the Viejas Outlets Center in Alpine. Show time starts at 8:00 p.m. Movie-goers can lounge under the stars in a serene park-like setting, and yes, they can even order popcorn!
The movie “Frozen” will be shown on June 27 when the “Movies at the Lake” series begins at Santee Lakes, with a new movie shown every other Friday night at 8:00 p.m. This venue includes games and activities for children before the movie, starting at 7:00 p.m., and of course, picnicking with lots of grass, picnic tables, and a playground nearby. A Snack Bar is available. There is a fee for parking.
The movie “Frozen” will also be shown this Friday evening, June 27, at Spring Valley Park on Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley.
Movies at Viejas’ Website: http://viejas.com/movies-in-the-park.
Viejas Outlets, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine CA.
Movies at the Lakes: Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee.
Website: http://www.santeelakes.com.
TWISTED MANZANITA ALES BREWERY 4TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Twisted Manzanita Ales in Santee is celebrating their 4th Anniversary on Saturday, June 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Santee Town Center Community Park East.
This year their Anniversary Party will be all-inclusive, with an admission price that covers everything, including access to their Craft Spirits Lounge featuring Twisted Manzanita spirits. Guests will receive 6 samples of various craft spirits.
Each attendee will also receive a bottle of Twisted Manzanita's 4th Anniversary Ale. This will be the only time this beer is bottled. This limited release will be hand-numbered and is a tradition they hope to continue. The Anniversary Party will have a culinary spread provided by local San Diego restaurants.
Santee Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. Visit the following web page to purchase tickets: http://sandiego.strangertickets.com/events/13932693/twisted-manzanitas-4th-anniversary-party.
Twisted Manzanita Ale Tasting Room, 10151 Prospect Avenue, Santee
Phone: 619-334-1757
FIREFIGHTERS APPRECIATION DAY JUNE 29
Firefighters put their lives on the line to save our communities. On Sunday, June 29, the Bucking DeLorian restaurant in Lakeside is hosting Firefighters Appreciation Day. All firefighters will receive discounts on food and drinks – or maybe even a free meal - since the public is encouraged to pay a firefighters’ tab with donation boxes for that purpose.
This event also features live bands all day including Patrick Trampus and James Cramer from “Barbwire.” In addition, participants can ride a mechanical bull or try their hand at horseshoes in a horse shoe pit outside.
The Bucking DeLorian is located at 10109 Maine Avenue in Lakeside. For more information, call 619-561-6767.
Now for a preview of some coming attractions….
FIREWORKS AND JULY 4 PICNIC IN EL CAJON
The City of El Cajon will host its annual 4th of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park. The picnic begins at 1:00 p.m. with food, games, prizes, and train rides for children. Live musical entertainment begins at 3:00 p.m. with the highlight of the event—fireworks—at 9:00 p.m. The park is located at 1675 Madison Avenue. Arrive early for parking and to find the ideal spot for your picnic and viewing the fireworks.
SANTEE SALUTES EVENT JULY 4
The City of Santee will host its annual “Santee Salutes” event on July 4th from 3:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive in Santee.
This event includes live music featuring the “80z All Stars,” a patriotic ceremony, kids’ fun zone with rides and more, and the grand finale--a dazzling fireworks display.
Admission is free - though there is a fee at nearby parking lots - with parking costs supporting local youth sports leagues. Or you can take a free shuttle service from the Costco Parking lot to the event.
JULIAN FOURTH OF JULY PARADE 2014
With pre and post parade events, there’s something for everyone at the Julian Fourth of July Parade 2014. The parade steps off at noon and rolls down Main Street from Julian High School to Frank Lane Park.
Spectators along Main Street can expect to see the stars and stripes with the selection of “It’s a Grand Old Flag” as the theme for this annual patriotic celebration. There will be a line of antique tractors, a troupe of dancing gypsies, a pair of high stepping Percheron draft horses, WWII veterans, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
Pre-parade activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon include a Gunfight & Bank Robbery, Patriotic Musical Presentations from the Emerald Society Bagpipe Band, appearances by Julian Princesses Amber Phillips, Eloisa Rodriguez, and Cheryl Wright, two flyovers by vintage aircraft; and remarks by Congressman Duncan Hunter and the unfurling of an enormous flag by volunteer audience members.
Post-parade events include an outdoor concert in the park-featuring tunes by “Mariachi Continental de San Diego,” “Trails and Rails,” “Family Fiddle Camp Pickers & Fiddlers,” Glen Smith, and Janice Bina-Smith-from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; barbecue, live music, and dancing at the American Legion; and the Julian Woman’s Club Historic Quilt Show.
For more information, visit http://www.julianparade.com.
CREST FOURTH OF JULY FAMILY FESTIVAL AND PARADE
In the southeast hillside of El Cajon in Crest, the festivities take place at Nancy Jane Park on Suncrest Blvd. in Crest. Live music by the “Cowboy Angels” and other musicians begins at 8:00 a.m. with road closures beginning at 9:15 a.m. The parade rolls out at 9:30 a.m. starting at South Lane Park and ending at Scenic Lane, just beyond Nancy Jane Park. The parade line-up includes grand marshals, the Patriot Guard Riders for the military, the Ladies Lawn Chair Brigade of Crest, “Pots and Pans Band,” decorated antique tractors, motorcycles, floats, bicycles, golf cars, quads; along with floats, car clubs, horses and fire trucks.
Besides vendor booths and live music at the park, there will be food available for sale: hamburgers hot dogs, drinks, snow cones, and more. There will also be a Silent Auction and a Super Raffle.
For more information, call Kandhy Franklin at 619-444-4996 or email her at kandhyfranklin@cox.net.
KNSJ 89.1 COMMUNITY RADIO 1ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Saturday, July 5th, KNSJ invites you to our community radio station’s first anniversary from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.
Come mix and mingle with our radio hosts and celebrity guests in a spectacular natural setting, enjoy live music, Native American flute players, delicious food and drinks, stargazing, the museum, no host bar, along with two stages of comedy acts and musical entertainment.
Tickets cost $19 before July 1st and $24 at the door.
For tickets and reservations, visit http://www.KNSJ.org.
DESCANSO DAYS AND PARADE JULY 12
The “45th Annual Descanso Days” Festival will be held July 12 at Descanso’s Historic Town Hall, along with a parade!
This year’s Parade theme is “Bonnets & Boots,” with prizes for the best parade entries in several categories. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. You can also listen to live music while savoring pit-barbecued beef cooked up by the master chefs of Pine Valley Mountain Riders. “Just Friends” will start the musical lineup with their bluegrass twang at 11:00 a.m., followed by Steve Hill and the “Hill Country Band” on the KSON flat-bed stage from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
There will also be a variety of activities especially for kids, including wheelbarrow races, an egg toss, and a nail driving contest; as well as a Best Bonnet competition for all ages. A silent auction and drawings will also be held for items ranging from hay bales to Aztec tickets. The roads close at 9:30 a.m. for the parade and re-open after the parade, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.
PET PARADE AND FAMILY FESTIVAL IN CAMPO JULY 12
Kids of all ages are invited to join the fun and showcase their pets at the first annual “Pet Parade and St. Adelaide Parish Family Festival” on July 12 at the Campo baseball field. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and the festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parade entrants are invited to decorate a wagon or stroller for their pet, or walk with their pet(s) on a leash. Pre-registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11.
Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and most entertaining costumes, as well as the Pastor’s Choice Award. Drawings will also be held for prizes, including a half a steer (to fill a freezer) donated by Wright Ranch of Potrero. The festival also includes vendor booths, an inflatable slide and water combo, face painting, and refreshments.
Registration forms and flyers for this event are available at our website at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org.
HIKE AND ART SHOW HELD AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK
“Tour Nature” is a leisurely hike amid the scenic landscapes and historic grounds of Old Mission Dam starting at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park on Saturday, June 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Hikers can get some fun facts as the MTRP naturalist guide unwraps secrets of nature during the hike. Hikers meet at the Campground Entry Station.
A new “Art in the Park” exhibit at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center Gallery opens on Saturday, June 21 and continues through July 18 with solo oil painting artist Julia San Roman. If you are heading to the park, check out their continuous lineup of free hikes and walks throughout the park.
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. Website: http://www.mtrp.org. Phone: 619-668-3280 and 619-668-3281.
Kumeyaay Lake Campground, Two Father Junípero Serra Trail, San Diego.
STAR PARTY AT WRIGHT’S FIELD PRESERVE JULY 5
At Wright’s Field Preserve in Alpine, a flashlight series event "In Awe of the Stars" will be held on Saturday, July 5 from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket, and a flashlight to enjoy an evening of star gazing with guide Trevor Gardner, a local Eagle Scout. The group will walk into Wright's Field to take advantage of the darkness of the preserve for stargazing. The group meets promptly at 8:00 p.m. in order to hike in together.
Park and meet at Joan MacQueen Middle School, 2001 Tavern Road in Alpine. Website: http://www.bclt.org. Sponsored by Back Country Land Trust. Email: jgreen@bclt.org for more information.
OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIES IN LAKESIDE JULY 11 AND AUGUST 23
Lindo Lake Park in Lakeside will be showing outdoor movies at dusk on the following dates: July 11-“Monsters University” and August 23-“Lego Movie.”
Lindo Lake Park, 12660 Lindo Lane, Lakeside.
That’s all for this week! All of these events and more can be found on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at www.eastcountymagazine.org.
Destination East County is supported by a Community Enhancement Grant from San Diego County. This feature can be heard on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM from 5-6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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