By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2019 (Borrego Springs) -- The 52nd annual Borrego Days Desert Festival in Borrego Springs will be blossom Friday through Sunday, October 18- 20^th. This year’s theme is “Bloom in Borrego” to pay homage to the beauty of Borrego Springs and the surrounding 600,000 Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Festivities include a parade, live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and much more.

East County News Service

September 23, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) will host a one-year anniversary celebration for the Brady Family Clubhouse in La Mesa that houses the Eleni and Wolfgang Gagon Academy, a learning center and homework room, and the Bill Walton Gymnasium.

The celebration, to include speeches and refreshments, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Brady Family Clubhouse, 7600 Junior High Dr., La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2019 (Santa Ysabel) – Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its Julian Autumn Jubilee each weekend in October (Oct. 5-27)  Fort Cross is located at 4425 California 78 in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Juilan, California. Hours are Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Community Service District invites you to a Fall Festival on Saturday,  Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jacumba Community Park (44653 Old Highway 80).

By Katie White, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 20, 2019 (Ramona) - Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff as one of Ramona’s biggest events returns for its 24th annual edition.

The Ramona Air Fair & Fly-in is coming to the County of San Diego’s Ramona Airport, 2926 Montecito Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Event admission and parking are free, and all ages are welcome.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit for images in banner: Rad Schmidt (left image) and Adam Gordon (star trails, right image)

September 18, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – Anza Borrego Foundation is kicking off the fall season with its fourth annual “Pints 4 the Park” as part of Borrego Days on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

East County News Service

September 16, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features upcoming shows at the Magnolia Performing Arts Center, the Chaldean American Festival in El Cajon, a Chamber music series at Cuyamaca College, Fall at the Farm and berry picking in Julian, a Russian Ballet production of Swan Lake, and a Johnny Appleseed celebration in Santa Ysabel.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove, the annual Green Homes Tour, a Fair Trade Gift Fair in La Mesa, Cajon Classic Cruises, and the last summer concerts outdoors in El Cajon.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

September 15, 2019 (Santa Ysabel) – Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian, will host an apple days event complete with cider pressing and a Johnny Appleseed celebration on Saturday, September 28th  and Sunday, Sept. 29th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  There are also regular weekend activities later on.

East County News Service

September 15, 2019 (La Mesa) – Get your Lederhosens ready – the 46th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest is gearing up for over 100,000 revelers celebrating German traditions over three full days of free festivities October 4-6.

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Since 1999, The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has been at the forefront of saving water and other natural resources. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Garden is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, November 16th. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: New magnolia tree and crowd outside; vocalist Stephanie Noriega and Mayor Bill Wells performing piano and vocal accompaniment of "Hallelujah" at grand opening of The Magnolia performing arts center

September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) – Community members from across the region flocked to the grand opening of The Magnolia performing arts center in downtown El Cajon yesterday.  More than $8 million has been spent remodeling the former East County Performing Arts Center, which had been closed for a decade but has now blossomed anew.

As the setting sun sent a starburst shining through a newly planted magnolia tree out front, visitors inside saw renovations including a new VIP viewing area, multiple bars serving up food and beverages including cocktails, backstage dressing rooms,  a shimmering new gold curtain and more.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Grossmont Health District’s Kids Care Fest will bring “healthy fun for the kid in all of us” to the Lemon Grove Rec Center (3131 School Lane) on Saturday, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event also includes free dental and vision screenings,  fun and active games, flu shots, blood pressure checks, and information on a variety of health services and conditions. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2019 (Ramona) – The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona is opening its farm store on Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 28 and 29 as well as Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 26 and 27. Besides shopping for products such as camel milk bath bombs and lotions, you can now relax with country views while sampling 11 varieties of camel milk chocolate by Al Nassma including dark, milk, orange, sweet-spice, date and white chocolate varieties, along with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features berry picking in Julian, the Sycuan powwow, Kids Care Fest, grape stomps in  Julian, Campo and Ramona and the grand opening of the Magnolia Center in El Cajon.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Santee Bluegrass Festival, Fall at the Farm in Julian, Astronomy Night on Mt. Helix, Mean Mary in concert in Santee and concerts and classic cruises in El Cajon. 

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!