November 16, 2023 (Alpine) -- The largest outdoor ice rink in southern California will be open at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine from November 23rd through January 7th from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals are available.
You can also enjoy holiday shopping at the outlet center’s many shops.
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November 12, 2023 (Alpine) — You’re invited to Christmas with the Animals, a fundraiser for the Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary in Alpine, where you can witness the heartwarming spectacle of animals unwrapping their Christmas presents. It's a delightful moment that will warm your heart. The event takes place on Saturday, December 9 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., with animal feedings from 3 to 4 p.m.
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November 12, 2023 (Crest) – Ho ho! Santa will be visiting at the Crest Christmas Craft Show on Sunday, December 10.
The event will be held at the Crest Clubhouse, 113North Park Blvd., El Cajon, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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November 11, 2023 (Mt. Helix) – Christmas on Mt. Helix returns on December 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. complete with a Christmas market to shop for holiday gifts, caroling, crafts, food trucks, a holiday program and Santa Claus.
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November 11, 2023 (La Mesa) -- With the holidays quickly approaching, the 8th annual La Mesa Holiday in the Village will once again be ringing in holiday cheer for everyone near and far on Saturday, December 2 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free, festive fun will include live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, carnival games, food, holiday 360 photo booth, the grand return of “selfies with Santa” and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop.
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November 9, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Thrive Lemon Grove invites community members to an International Cultural Celebration honoring veterans on Saturday, November 11 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park (3200 Main St., Lemon Grove).
Enjoy cultural performances, mouthwatering international cuisine, a vibrant kid zone, arts and crafts vendors, and much more.
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November 5,2023 (Alpine) – For a roaring good time, you’re invited to a Turkey Bash at Lions, Tigers and Bears, where you can watch rescued big cats and bears savor their Thanksgiving feast. This special event will take place on November 24 and 25, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, at 10 a.m.
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October 29, 2023 (San Diego) – Tickets are now on sale for KNSJ Radio’s 10th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, November 11.
The East County Magazine Radio Show is one of the station's flagship programs, covering East County news and issues as well as regional topics and more. KNSJ, which broadcasts from Descanso, also features a wide variety of other locally hosted shows.
The gala event will celebrate all that San Diego’s community Network for Social Justice has achieved in the past decade, as well as highlight the station’s future commitment to defend democracy and create community through independent media. The festive evening will include dinner, live music, dancing, poetry readings, videos, and special presentations.
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October 31, 2023 (San Diego) -- On Sunday, November 12 from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Visitor Center will be transformed into a seasonal marketplace featuring one-of-a-kind gifts from makers and artists with nature-themed offerings. The event supports the independent vendors participating and a percentage of all sales will benefit the park through the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.
In addition to products including ceramics, jewelry, soaps, cards, home goods, woodworking pieces, and fine art, attendees can peruse the Visitor Center Gift Shop which will be fully stocked with brand new Mission Trails merchandise. Quantities of the new MTRP merchandise will be limited,with first sales at the holiday marketplace.
For the event, the MTRP Foundation will provide shuttle service that will transport patrons to and from an overflow parking lot at Patrick Henry High School.
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October 31, 2023 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to the annual Holiday Lights on Main Street celebration on Saturday, November 25 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festivities include ice skating on the promenade, family fun and live music, with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Magnolia.
The entertainment on stage will feature the Audio Hounds Band from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and the Harmony Grove Band from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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October 12, 2023 (Poway) -- On September 23-24; Poway held its annual rodeo and celebrated the 50th Anniversary of this action- packed event. Rodeo Chairman Murray Bankhead, the rodeo’s board and many volunteers made this event a success with a large turnout, talented performers, and a family-friendly environment. ECM found smiling faces, helpful volunteers and vendors with a variety of merchandise. But, the action was in the arena, where a variety of disciplines were witnessed by a positive and cheering crowd.
Performers and athletes from across the US. and Canada engaged the audience with roping, trick riders, bulls, bucking broncos, mutton busting, barrels and more. Rodeo queens from Poway, Lakeside and Ramona were present, supporting the rodeo.
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October 24, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Most, if not all of us have travelled down Interstate 8 countless times, but you have likely passed up a lot of history that dates back more than 100 years while getting to your destination. The Old Spanish Trail Centennial Celebration Association (OTS100) is in town celebrating 100 years of the trail’s history with a series of events the community can attend free in early November including a museum reception, history lectures, and drives through our backcountry.
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October 27, 2023 (Santee) -- The new Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Santee, which opened at Town Center earlier this month, is holding a Sensory Sensitive Halloween geared to children with autism and sensory needs on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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October 20, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a healthy Halloween and free admission to The Water Conservation Garden on Thursday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. courtesy of the Grossmont Healthcare District.
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October 17, 2023 (Santee) - Every ghoul is welcome at Santee Lakes’ first-ever Spooktacular and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a ghoulish day of games, a giant Halloween maze, face painting, creepy crafts, photo opportunities, and much more.
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October 13, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Welcome Newcomer Network will host its 6TH Multicultural Festival on November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at EJE Academies, 851 S Johnson Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020. The event will include multicultural food, cultural dance, a show of traditional costumes, storytelling, games and raffle drawings. For this year, we anticipate over 1,000 attendees.
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October 13, 2023 (Santee) - Cheers! Santee hosts its Santee Brews and Bites Festival on Saturday, October 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive.
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October 12, 2023 (Julian)-- A Taste of Julian is a rural dining adventure showcasing the culinary delights in the historic mountain town. Just 100 tickets will be sold for this special event on Saturday, November 4.
The self-guided tour includes at least a dozen sites in the Julian area including restaurants, a pub, bakeries, wineries, breweries, a tea shop, and a chocolate tasting room.
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October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Looking for a frightfully good time? You’ll find plenty of spooky special events, from a Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch to HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, as well as haunted train rides in Campo, a Pumpkin Bash and Spooky Campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine.
Plus an Autumn Jubilee and an Heirloom Apple Festival continue in Julian, while the Borrego Days Desert Festival takes place in Borrego Springs and Santee hosts its Brews and Bites Festival. Theatre aficionados can watch Randy Rainbow’s political comedy show at The Magnolia in El Cajon, or savor an Old Globe For All experience in Lemon Grove. Plus tribute artist Robert Neary brings his "So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience" to the Magnolia in El Cajon.
Scroll down for details on all of these events and more.
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October 12, 2023 (La Mesa) – In recognition of Health Literacy Month, the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is hosting a day of learning about the importance of communicating and understanding health information.
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October 10, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – The 57th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, produced by the Borrego Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christmas Circle Community Park on Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs.
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September 7, 2023 (La Mesa) –Tickets are now on sale for our “Taste of Africa” event! The festivities will be Sunday, October 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941).
Join us for a fun-filled evening including tastes of African cuisine from local African restaurants and caterers, African dancers and drummers, DJ and dancing, speakers including wildlife conservation leader Coe Lewis of NSEFU and Assembly member Akilah Weber, Africa videos Community Champion awards, raffle, live and silent auction.
The grand prizes are six-night photo safari packages for two at Zulu Nyala - a fabulous private wildlife preserve in South Africa! Other live auction prizes include a larimar bracelet, wine basket, hand-crafted ukelele with African theme, camping gear, and more.
Our raffle and silent auction is huge with many gift certificates and gift baskets from local restaurants, stores, wineries and other vendors, as well as hand-crafted African items and more.
Suggested attire: African themed (animal print fabric, traditional African, safari wear, or tropical)
Get tickets now! We are nearly sold out. Questions? Call 619-698-7617
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Popular family chicken event hosts ‘Meet the Flockers,' Oct. 7 in Fallbrook, Escondido & Santee
East County News Service
October 2, 2023 (Santee) -- – Flocktober is upon us and Hawthorne Country Store invites San Diegans to ‘Meet the Flockers,’ Saturday, Oct. 7 at all three of its locations in Escondido, Fallbrook, and Santee.
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September 27, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On Friday, October 20, 2023, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 21st Annual Women in Leadership event at Sycuan Casino Resort.
In 2003 the first Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) was launched with the idea of honoring women who excel professionally and as community leaders. The successful women of San Diego County, along with our inspirational keynote speakers, keep WILL growing year after year.
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September 23, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s 45th annual free "History Alive" lecture series will present the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, led by Trooper Rachel Hilliard (photo,left), founder and president of the San Diego Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, and several troop members. This special presentation will take place on Thursday, October 5 at 5 p.m. at the H. Lee House Cultural Center,3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove.
“This extraordinary organization played a major role in America's westward expansion as they helped and saved many wagon trains of migrants, seeking farmland, pasturage and places to establish towns,”says Helen Ofield, historian to the board of the LGHS. “On every level, the Buffalo Soldiers are at the heart of American history. Don't miss this uniformed presentation.”
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September 21, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- As autumn arrives and Halloween draws near, East County has a wealth of festivals and events coming up. These include Julian’s Autumn Jubilee and an Heirloom Apple Festival, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Borrego Days Desert Festival, Haunt Fest on Main in downtown El Cajon, a Pumpkin Bash and Spooky Campover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine,and a Pumpkin Express train ride in Campo.
Plus there are live entertainment stars taking stage in East County, including comics Paula Poundstone and Randy Rainbow at The Magnolia, the rock artist Sting at SDSU, and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells with his band in a benefit concert to help the homeless in El Cajon.
Scroll down for details on all of these events and more.
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September 14, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you its 14th annual Salute to Local Heroes dinner on Thursday, October 5 at Sycuan Casino Resort.
“This evening is our opportunity to come together and honor those that are dedicated to the citizens of La Mesa and our community,” says La Mesa Chamber President Mary England. “The pandemic has given us a great opportunity to see our local heroes in action. We are celebrating those that serve our community in extraordinary ways from: the La Mesa Police Department, Heartland Fire & Rescue – La Mesa, AMR Paramedics, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. During this evening we will also install our Board of Directors.”
The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Ballroom at5485 Casino Way, El Cajon 92019.
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This year’s rodeo provides more ways to enjoy the excitement than ever before, including big-screen video, VIP seating, and special activities just for kids
Story and photos courtesy of Poway Rodeo
September 11, 2023 (Poway) -- The Poway Rodeo returns for its 50th year of bringing the very best in action-packed entertainment to its centrally located north San Diego location. This year’s rodeo promises more ways than ever before to enjoy all the excitement, with big-screen video projection, VIP seating opportunities, and special adventures for even the youngest cowpokes.
Visitors can choose from three performances: one on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and two on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. VIP ticketholders enjoy exclusive extras like preferred seating, excellent arena views, personal service, and included food and drinks.
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September 11, 2023 (Lakeside) – The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association invites you to participate in the Lakeside 9-11 Memorial Walk.
The event tonight commemorates the deadly terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York and Washington D.C.
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September 3, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Fall is in the air –ushering in some of East County’s most iconic festivals including Oktoberfests, Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan's Powwow, and haunting Halloween happenings. Plus comedians Randy Rainbow and Paula Poundstone will be performing in El Cajon and music legend Crystal Gayle will be onstage at Sycuan.
Scroll down for these events in San Diego's inland region, and more.
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East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
For a roaring good time, you’re invited to a Turkey Bash at Lions, Tigers and Bears, where you can watch rescued big cats and bears savor their Thanksgiving feast. This special event will take place on November 24 and 25, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, at 10 a.m.
East County News Service
Most, if not all of us have travelled down Interstate 8 countless times, but you have likely passed up a lot of history that dates back more than 100 years while getting to your destination. 
The new Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Santee, which opened at Town Center earlier this month, is holding a Sensory Sensitive Halloween geared to children with autism and sensory needs on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
Popular family chicken event hosts ‘Meet the Flockers,' Oct. 7 in Fallbrook, Escondido & Santee 
East County News Service
September 14, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you its 14th annual Salute to Local Heroes dinner on Thursday, October 5 at Sycuan Casino Resort.
Story and photos courtesy of Poway Rodeo
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