DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS & EVENTS JULY 24-AUGUST 9

July 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features hikes and hops,Pine Valley Days, Music in the Garden and more. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Sip of Julian and Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

THIS WEEK'S MAJOR EVENTS:

LEMON GROVE MOVIE IN THE PARK JULY 24

On Friday, July 24 Disney movie Big Hero 6 will be shown after dusk at Berry Street Park in Lemon Grove. Big Hero 6 is a 3D animated Disney superhero comedy inspired by Marvel Comics. For more details, visit the community section at the LemonGroveCA.gov website  (www.lemongrove.ca.gov/community/community-events/movies-in-the-park).

HIKES AND HOPS WITH VOLCAN MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION JULY 25

If you're looking for a reason for a weekend road trip, you can hop on up to Julian for Hikes & Hops with Volcan Mountain Foundation and the Anza Borrego Desert Foundation on July 25th.

Participants will receive a voucher for beer at Nickel Beer Company and a taste of Anza-Borrego Brew after the hike, which will cover six miles with scenic views and cool, shaded groves. For more information visit the Anza Borrego Desert Foundation website at www.theABF.org 

( http://theabf.org/hikes-hops-volcan-mountain-foundation )

PINE VALLEY DAYS JULY 24-25

The Mountain Empire Men’s Club will present Pine Valley Days on July 24^th and 25^th.  This mountain town’s annual summer event includes a parade rolling out on July 25^th  at 9 a.m., plus other activities both days at the Pine Valley Park (28810 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley). 

The fun begins with a deep pit BBQ dinner on Friday night with live music and dancing under the stars to Barbwire, the North American Country Music Association International’s New Country Band of the Year for 2015 and other entertainers. There will also be a craft village, a free music festival, kids’ zone, food from local vendors and more. For details, visit www.PineValleyDays.com.

TROPICAL BIRDS AT ALPINE LIBRARY JULY 25

A live tropical bird show, “The Music of Birds” will be presented on July 25^th at 11 a.m. in the Alpine branch of the San Diego County Library, located at 2130 Arnold Way in Alpine.

Visitors will be able to play with and feed these beautiful birds at the end of the show.  This event is free, so bring your friends—all ages are welcome.

MUSIC IN THE GARDEN JULY 26

If you’re looking for a stirring summertime musical experience, the San Diego Concert Band will be performing at the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College on July 26^th at 6 p.m.  “An Evening of Music at the Garden” will benefit both of these nonprofit organizations. Guests are welcome to come early for a stroll through the gardens to learn some tips on how to have beautiful low-water gardens.The outdoor concert at the garden will also feature light classics, historical themes, and modern compositions.

For tickets and details http://www.sandiegoconcertband.com/schedule.html

STONEY B BLUES BAND IN LA MESA JULY 26

The Stoney B Blues band will perform a free concert on July 26^th at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa (9550 Milden St.) at 6 p.m.  It’s all part of La Mesa’s Concerts at Six summer music series.

MISSION TRAILS FAMILY DISCOVERY WALK JULY 26

On Sunday, July 26th, Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) will have a “Family Discovery Walk.” You can come spend quality time with your family as you enjoy a walk in the outdoors. Join trail guides, Marcia Stoner and Rosalie Newberg-Fisher. This guided nature walk starts at the visitor center in MTRP. For more details, go to www.mtrp.org/events.

MARY POPPINS ON MT. HELIX  CONTINUES IN JULY THROUGH AUGUST 2

Christian Community Theatre’s production of Mary Poppins continues through July until August 2^nd at  the Mt. Helix Park amphitheater.  For tickets ton enjoy this show featuring everyone’s favorite nanny, you can visit cctsandiego.org.

NIGHT FISHING AT SANTEE LAKES JULY 30

Santee Lakes invites you to drop your line for night fishing on July 30^th from 5 p.m. to 11 :30 p.m. Bring a lantern--but no radios please, to keep the lake quiet for best fishing. For more information, visit www.SanteeLakes.com.

NOW FOR PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS:

WATERMELON DAYS AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY JULY 31

The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to Watermelon Days on July 31^st from 1 to 7 p.m. Visitors can enjoy feeding watermelons to camels, as well as watching a camel show and an exotic bird show, savoring a barbecue, and for children--camel rides! There is also a watermelon carving contest and more. For tickets and details, visit www.cameldairy.com.  

MOVIES BY THE LAKE IN SANTEE AUGUST 7

Santee Lakes (9310 Fanita Pkwy Santee 92071) will be hosting “Movies by the Lake.” On Friday, August 7th, you can watch PG movie “Maleficent” at 6:00 p.m. For more information, join Facebook page “Santee Lakes.” Then, click on “Movies by the Lake – Maleficent” in order to join event. For more details, go to www.santeelakes.com/special-events.

WINE, MEAD AND CIDER AT “SIP OF JULIAN” AUGUST 8

Saturday August 8 marks the first annual "Sip of Julian."  Eight participants are included in this event, highlighting Julian-area wineries and other tasting rooms.  Joining the traditional wine producers are a craft brewery, hard cider, and a mead producer. Starting at 11 a.m., visitors have 6 hours to enjoy their sips, paired with locally produced appetizers.

For tickets or  more information contact Julian's Chamber of Commerce at www.julianca.com.

NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE CIRCLE AUGUST 9 AT MISSION TRAILS

On Sunday, August 9, Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) will have a San Diego Native American Flute Circle. The free concert begins at 1 p.m.and ends at 3 p.m. It will take place at the Visitor’s outdoor amphitheatre. You can listen to flute players who honor Native American music in a beautiful natural setting. For more details about this event, go to www.mtrp.org/events.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at 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 next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!