September 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa will host its fifth annual Senior Expo on Thursday, October 9, 2014.  With a wide variety of speakers and exhibitors, Senior Expo will offer free "one-stop shopping" for all adults facing life changes that may affect their independence, or for those who would like great tips on safety and security.  Senior Expo will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and is supported by funding from the San Diego Association of Governments.

September 22, 2014 (La Mesa)--The La Mesa Oktoberfest is one of East County’s biggest street festivals, drawing 200,000 people every year. This year’s Oktoberfest will be held October 3-5 in the heart of La Mesa’s downtown village on La Mesa  Boulevard between 4th Avenue and Acadia.

The event, sponsored by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, began as a small street fair over 35 years ago. Now the three-day bash features over 250 vendors, food including German bratwurst and a beer garden, kids’ activities and entertainment ranging from German music to classic rock and roll.

September 18, 2014 (Ramona)--Gaze up close at World War II fighter airplanes, experimental aircraft, and firefighting air tankers and helicopters. Tour an air traffic control tower. Check out hot classic cars and big-rig trucks. Maybe even get your face painted or shake Smokey's hand.

East County News Service

Photo: entertainer Raelee Nikole is among the 100 musical acts scheduled to perform

September 19, 2014 (San Diego)--Over 100 different musical acts on eight stages are slated for the 2014 Adams Avenue Street Fair on September 27 and 28, which is one of the largest free music street fairs in California, according to the organizers. It also includes four beer gardens, 300 food and craft vendors, and giant carnival rides.

September 9, 2014 (Julian)--Quilt trails highlight the unique culture of communities, display historical art forms and encourage tourism. Over 130 quilt trails exist across the U.S.—and soon,  the Julian Backcountry Quilt Trail will become the first in Southern California.

September 9, 2014 (La Mesa)--The date has been announced for the 2014 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented event open to the public featuring free health care screenings. This year’s Kids Care Fest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now in its 13th year, Kids Care Fest is presented by the Grossmont Healthcare District, La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation and the City of La Mesa.

Organizers expect more than 1,000 children will receive free, potentially life-saving, health care screenings, including hearing, vision and dental screenings, from healthcare professionals.

September 5, 2014 (San Diego)—A cultural celebration featuring music, dance and cuisine of San Diego’s Somali-Bantu community will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 2-5 p.m. at the United Domestic Workers of America office, 4855 Seminole Drive, San Diego.

Photo: Julian Grape Stomp Festa

By Miriam Raftery

Autumn is in the air – and this week’s Destination East County activities reflect that.  This weekend you can enjoy apples, trains, grape stomping and a pow-wow! Plus we have a preview of coming attractions, from an attempt to break the world record for fireworks, to an end-of-summer music festival.

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort will attempt to launch the world’s longest chain of fireworks—more than 10,000 – to celebrates its 23^rd anniversary on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. You’re invited to the festivities near the Viejas Hotel pool to witness the sky come alive with fireworks during this Guinness Book of World Records setting attempt.

August  29, 2014 (Descanso)--Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso will hold its 77th Annual Deep Pit Barbecue on Sunday August 31st of the Labor Day weekend. The Festivities will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m.

The barbecue has been a major event of the mountain empire area since before World War II. It will be held on the Church grounds on Riverside drive in Descanso.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s activities in East County include living history presentations complete with mountain men and cowboys.  It’s also the start of pow-wow season at Barona and football season for the Aztecs—plus we’ll tell you about an art show,  free concerts and a family movie in the park.  Plus we’ll have a preview of next week’s top events, including a popular annual tradition in East County’s wine-growing region: a grape stomp festa!

August 23, 2014 (Campo)—The Pumpkin Express train ride will be running once again this fall to the Great Pumpkin Patch. The train departs from the historic Campo Depot at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum and includes a “Haunted Train” tour.   The one-hour train ride departs three times daily on October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, with departures at 10 a.m, 12:15 p.m and 2:30 p.m.

August 23, 2014 (Mount Laguna)--See the past come alive in this re-enactment of life in the Laguna mountains, going back in time to before the early 1900s. Visit with Native Americans, surveyors, turn-of-the-(last) century mountain men and rugged cowboys of the Campo Cattle Company. Meet the first Cleveland Forest Ranger on the Descanso District, and relive the travels of a 1908 pioneer family from Imperial Valley.

August 19, 2014 (El Cajon)—The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will host its 25^th annual pow-wow on September 5-7 at the Sycuan reservation in El Cajon.