DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS & EVENTS JULY 4-30

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We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

June 28,2016 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July activities galore, including picnics, parades, a train ride and of course, fireworks!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including Descanso Days, Pine Valley Days, and a production of the Lion King. 

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

SANTEE SALUTES: JULY 4TH EXTRAVAGANZA

The city of Santee invites you to Santee Salutes, an annual extravaganza set for Monday, July 4th from 2:30 to 10 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) in Santee.

The festivities include live music, a patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m., inflatable jumps and activities for kids, food available for purchase, and a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.

(Admission is free, food and activities have minimal costs, canopies are available for purchase, and there is a $5-15 cost for parking, which supports local youth sports leagues and the YMCA.  Free shuttles are available from Costco on Cuyamaca to the event site from 3:30 to 11 p.m.)

JULY 4TH FIREWORKS AND PICNIC IN EL CAJON

The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Ave., El Cajon).  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m. Arrive early for parking to find the best spot for your picnic and to view the fireworks!

JULIAN PATRIOTIC PARADE JULY 4

The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

The Julian 4th of July Parade honors stars, stripes and pioneers in a homegrown event that celebrates the town’s gold rush era history, the dedication of veterans and active duty military who serve our country, and local residents who cherish the special qualities of the little town tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains.

There is always a gang of local bad guys who try to rob the bank, but the sheriff rounds them up before the gunmen can get away. This year you can swing to the tunes of four bands, see the Mountain Tribal Gypsies dance down Main Street, honor World War II submarine veterans, salute  Miss Julian and her entourage, and follow vintage aircraft flyovers. There will also be bunting, banners, flags, patriotic songs, equestrians, vintage vehicles, kids with animals, and the town fire fighters greeted with cheers.

After the parade, you can visit the Julian Woman’s Club Historic Quilt Show at the Julian Town Hall and stick around for a barbecue, music, and dancing at the American Legion, just up the hill from the town hall on Washington Street.  For more information, visit www.JulianCA.com and click on Events.

OLD WEST COMES ALIVE AT POWAY PARK JULY 4

You’re invited to bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road in Poway) to celebrate our country’s independence  in“turn-of-the-20th-century-style” on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, gun fighting re-enactments, crafts, and old-fashioned games (all free) amid restored historic buildings and museums from the early 1900s.  You can also take a ride aboard an old-fashioned train and savor tasty treats (for a nominal fee).  

An evening fireworks show with DJ will be held at Poway High School (15500 Espola Road, Poway). Gates open at 6 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. ($5 admission; children 11 and under free)

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

DESCANSO DAYS FESTIVAL AND PARADE JULY 9

The annual Descanso Days takes place on July 9th, featuring a festival at the historic Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Road) and a parade rolling out at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “A Blaze of Glory.:  Be sure to arrive early, since Viejas Grade Road shuts down before the parade, and stay late to enjoy games, food, vendor booths and entertainment.

CYT PRESENTS THE LION KING JULY 21-24 IN LA MESA

Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and now, for the first time ever, CYT San Diego has the opportunity to produce this one-of-a-kind musical on July 21 through 24 at the Helix Mainstage Theater in La Mesa. The African savannah comes to life on stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale. For tickets you can visit www.CYTSanDiego.org.

PINE VALLEY DAYS JULY 29-30

Pine Valley Days will take place July 29th and 30th in the mountain town of Pine Valley.  A highlight of the two-day festival is a parade along Old Highway 80 through Pine Valley on July 29th starting at 9 a.m. featuring horses, bagpipes, clowns, cars, dragons, marching bands and more.  Other activities include a craft village at the Pine Valley County Park on Saturday, a Friday night deep pit barbecue and dancing in the park after dark, plus a burrito breakfast on Saturday and a music festival. For full details visit www.PineValleyDays.com.

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.

 

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