By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2017 (Alpine) – The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season  (through January 28) at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland.  On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice  show and lighting of a large holiday see.

East County News Service

November 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Veterans Day celebration and Heroes Concert at Grossmont Center in La Mesa, a ceremony honoring veterans in El Cajon, plus stargazing, mountain biking, and Native American flute music at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including a Swing with Santa golf event at the Sycuan Resort, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, the Mother Goose Parade and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Holiday Hay Ride activities in Santa Ysabel, a Julian Country Christmas, a Christmas Cabaret, and La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village.

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

October 25, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine Inn Steakhouse (2225 Alpine Blvd., Alpine), the coziest steakhouse in East County is now reopened under new ownership -- and East County Dining Club will host our next event sizzling event there on Friday, November 10th. 

Join us for cocktails (cash bar) at 5:30 in the steakhouse bar and dinner at 6:30 in the private captain's-style dining room. Enjoy live music by Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham, plus you can win prizes!  You don't have to be a dining club member -- all are welcome!

This event requires an RSVP by November 5 and pre-reserving your choice for entrée, 2 sides, and a dessert. See the delicious details below!

East County News Service

October 29, 2017 (San Diego) – Mission Trails Regional Park announces a series of fall activities.  These include concerts and a Native American flute circle, a star viewing party, live hawk demonstration, bird watching and wildlife walks, an art show and more.

For a full schedule of events, scroll down.  For details on all of these activities, visit http://www.MTRP.org.

By Robert Gehr

October 21, 2017 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon held its sixth annual HauntFest on Main in downtown El Cajon last night, with a Ghostbusters theme this year.

I had a quite a time weaving through the crowds trying to capture the fun and energy I saw on the faces amongst everyone with my camera. There were literally thousands of people attending this ever-popular event, which can make it challenging to navigate around. One simply cannot be in a hurry to any particular destination.

East County News Service

October 18, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Sixth Annual “HauntFest on Main” will be held this Friday night, October 20^th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown El Cajon. This fun, family-friendly Halloween-themed event includes live music on the Promenade Stage including the Stand-Up Guys from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and the Amazing ‘80s All-Starz from 7:45 to 10 p.m.: This event also features costume contests on the Main Street stage, carnival rides, crafts, games, car show, a candy trail, kids zone with outdoor movies, face painting, inflatables for kids, pumpkin patch, Ghostbusters and more. 

East County News Service

October 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, Carnival for Canines in La Mesa, Borrego Days desert festival and parade, a Toast to East County, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, alpacas at the Summers Past Pumpkin Patch, Scotty’s Scare Trail, and the Pumpkin Express train ride in Campo.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including a haunted Elks lodge, a Halloween Harvest Festival, the Hills Halloween Party, a spooky campover, the Boulevard Boo Parade, a “Hallowscream” night, a high desert mountain yoga retreat, an Autumn Fest and Plant Sale, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, a live hawk demonstration, a Veterans Day ceremony and the 71st annual Mother Goose Parade. 

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

East County News Service

October 15, 2017 (Mt. Helix) -- The Mt. Helix Park Foundation and Grossmont Mt Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) are joining together for a fun-filled Halloween Harvest Family Festival at the top of Mt Helix Park for neighborhood families on Sunday, October 29^th from 2 to 5 p.m. 

East County News Service

October 14, 2017 (La Mesa) - Harry Griffin Park is going to the dogs! 

East County News Service

October 11, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes pumpkin patch events at Summers Past Farms and Scotty’s Scare Trail in Flinn Springs, train rides on the Pumpkin Express in Campo, The Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, a chili cookoff for charity in Lemon Grove, and Kids Care Fest in Lakeside.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, Borrego Days, a Toast to East County, a haunted lodge, a Halloween harvest family festival on Mt. Helix, the Boulevard Boo Parade, a spooky campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, Laurel and Hardy night’s “Hallowscream” in Spring Valley, a Harvest Fest and Plant Sale at the Water Conservation Garden, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, and live hawk demonstrations at Mission Trails Regional Park.

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

Source:  El Cajon Elks Lodge

October 10, 2017 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 is working with a local Haunted House Production Company, “Scareventures,” to present a Haunted Lodge for the community in their parking lot from October 26^th through 31^st.  This will be one of the only Haunted Houses in San Diego’s East County, it represents an important charity fundraising effort where the Elks will contribute 100% of proceeds from the event for children’s charities as a part of their annual “Purple Pig” (or CHEMPI) and “Youth Charities” fundraising efforts. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present this year’s “A Toast to East County” on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.  at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 (1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon).

East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East Region, will present the 2017 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented health event open to the public. Featuring free health screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside.

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Camels and Apples at the Oasis Camel Dairy, an art reception with international artist Padre Johnson at Heritage of the Americas Museum, a Circular Visions dance show, the Ramona Air Fair and Fly In, Summers Past Farms’ Pumpkin Patch, Scotty’s Scare Trail, and the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride in Campo.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, the Borrego Days celebration, El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, a Haunted Elks Lodge, a Halloween Harvest Family Festival on Mt. Helix, a spooky sleepover at Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Boulevard BOO Parade.

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

East County News Service