By Kylie Dees

View video: Click Youtube image at left, or visit https://youtu.be/1WHC0JjAu84

June 21, 2022 (Campo) – Campo, an unincorporated community in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, is striving to keep its Wild West heritage alive. The town has a rich history that includes railway lore, cowboys, a former cavalry fort, and a notorious gunfight. Earlier this month, the community revived its signature annual event. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2022 (San Diego) – From campfire programs to star parties and a hike by the light of a full moon, County Parks and Recreation has some creative “Parks After Dark” programs coming up this summer. The fun includes:

East County News Service

May 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Flag Day Parade salutes “Old Glory” at the 23rd annual event on Saturday, June 4.  The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., marching west through the La Mesa Village along La Mesa Blvd. to Acacia. The parade will be led by the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and Grossmont High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard.  This year’s Grand Marshal will be healthcare and essential workers from Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Cheer on marching bands, active and retired military members, service clubs, and youth groups. 

By Helen M. Ofield, Treasurer/Historian to the Board

Lemon Grove Historical Society

May 9, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- Belated Mother’s Day greetings.  We hearken back to 1909 and the 1920s and 1930s when our ancestral mothers led the charge in Lemon Grove as members of the Forward Club (because they were forward-thinking), a name later changed to the Women's Club when they joined the national Federation of Women's Clubs.  By 1922 the women had built and paid for their own clubhouse. You've done the math. That clubhouse is now 100.

East County News Service

April 5, 2022 (Alpine) - Wild in the Country is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Lions Tigers & Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine. After a two-year hiatus, the event returns May 21 with a “Denim and Diamonds” theme. You’re invited to  dust off those jeans, put on something sparkly, and get ready to visit with the animals, bid on amazing auction items, and rock out with The KING of Diamonds himself, Rob Garrett America's #1 NEIL DIAMOND tribute artist and impersonator who is a lead Las Vegas act.

East County News Service

April 20, 2022 (Jacumba) - Jacumba Hot Springs celebrates its vast landscape of boulders this year at the annual Earth Day event at The Desert View Tower from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Source: County Parks and Recreation

April 10, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot, and the daily actions of the County Parks and Recreation team help to safeguard our region's native plants and trees, air and water quality, and unique habitats for hundreds of species.

Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate these efforts and connect residents to the public spaces where wildlife thrives. The theme this year is Committed to Caring for Our Earth.  Below are Earth Day events in county parks, including several in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2022 (Mt. Helix) – The amphitheater atop Mt. Helix has been holding Sunrise Easter Service since 1917 and the tradition continues this year on April 17. Now for the first time, the venue will also hold a “Good Friday Under the Stars” on April 15.

East County News Service

March 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s 57^th annual Western Days Parade is set to take place on Saturday, April 23.  This year’s theme is “Reading – a passport to adventure.”

East County News Service 

Photo credit: courtesy of Parkway Plaza

March 23, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Calling all pet owners! Parkway Plaza is officially becoming a dog-friendly shopping center, welcoming customers to bring along their furry friends on all their shopping trips. 

Source: I Love to Glean and Senior Gleaners 

March 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- On Wednesday, March 16, 2022,

starting at 1:30 p.m., I Love to Glean will be providing a monthly drive through food distribution with food provided by Feeding San Diego.  This will be their  fifth consecutive month of distributing food to families at the VFW located at 2885 Lemon Grove Avenue, Lemon Grove.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2022 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a look ahead at some of the most iconic festivals and events coming up this week, from St. Patrick’s Day fun to springtime celebrations, historical reenactments, wine and food festivals and more.

Scroll down for the full slate of events coming up. 

Documentary co-produced by ECM journalist Mimi Pollack is among finalists.

By Matthew Manosh

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) --The 29th Annual San Diego Latino Festival begins March 10th and runs through March 20th at the Fashion Valley AMC. It will be the first time the festival will be in person since the start of the pandemic.

The festival features over 160 films from Central America and The United States, including local film makers from San Diego. Each day they’ll have art from prominent Latino artists on display, as well as daily live music. The full schedule of the events can be found here.

There are many remarkable films being shown in the 10 days of the festival, including films from film makers from in and around San Diego and East County.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2022 (Julian) -- The Julian Daffodil Project was started by Sally Snipes in 1990 as a memorial to her father Jack Snipes. Now there are 4 million bulbs planted in Julian, according to the Julian Daffodils page on Facebook.

Each year, the group hosts the Julian Daffodil show. This year, the free event will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall, 2129 Main Street in the heart of historic Julian.

In addition, you can enjoy U-pick daffodils on Saturdays and Sundays from March 19 through May 1 during Daffodil Days at Julian Farm and Orchard, 4381 Highway 79, Julian.