By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Victor Crosthwaite Contreras, an actor, writer, historian and educator bringing to life early Californians from our region. Click here to listen to our interview on KNSJ 89.1 FM, and scroll down for details.

June 25, 2019 (San Diego) – In celebration of San Diego’s 250^th anniversary, the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center (4355 Bonita Rd., Bonita) will present “Nuestra Frontera: Our South Bay Families at the Border” June 29 through August 24.  In addition a Bonita Fest comunity celebration on July 6 will include historical reenactments. There is also a June 29 fundraiser slated to raise funds in support of these historical celebrations.

We sat down for an interview with Victor Crosswaite Contreras, a professional actor, writer, historian and educator who is a direct descendant of early Spanish soldiers heping to bring our region's colorful past to live through historical reenactments.

At BonitaFest, he will be playing the role of another of his ancestors, Bonifacio Lopez, known as the “cattle king.”  San Diego’s cattle industry was once key to the world economy,  Contreras notes, providing hide and tallow globally.

East County News Service

June 12, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- From Father’s Day to the Fourth of July, we’ve got lots of festive events coming up across East County. In late June, you can enjoy night fishing at Santee Lakes, the Bayou Brothers concert at Santee Lakes, Father’s day on artist James Hubbell’s Julian mountain retreat, a Father’s Day pit barbecue at the Santa Ysabel mission, and the Anomar Arts Festival in Ramona.

Plus, enjoy 4th of July parades in Julian and Alpine, the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival as well as Independence Day celebrations in Santee, El Cajon and Poway. We’ll also have some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in the park, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.

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

East County News Service

June 5, 2019 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Classic Car Show season opens this Thursday, June 6 and will continue each week through August 29 from 5-8 p.m. (except July 4).  In addition to vintage pre-1974 cars, trucks and vans parked along La Mesa Blvd. between Spring Street and 4^th Avenue, this free community event also features live bands, DJs, and awards for each evening’s best classic cars.  This Thursday, Four Way Street will provide live musical entertainment. 

East County News Service

May 28, 2019 (Alpine) - Grab your popcorn – it’s time for (free!) summertime movies at the outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlets shopping mall (5005 Willows Rd.) in Alpine.  Showtimes start at 7:30 p.m. The season opened May 24 with Top Gun. The lineup of popular movies coming up include:

• May 31  – Hotel Transylvania 3 (PG)
• June 7 – Moana (PG)
• June 14 – Bumblebee (PG13)
• June 21 – Antman and the Wasp (PG13)
• June 28 – Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (PG)
• July 4 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG13)
• July 5 – How to Train Your Dragon 3 (PG)
  

Spirituality in Art scheduled for weekend of June 21-22, 2019

Source:  Mission San Diego de Alcala

May 27, 2019 (San Diego) - Mission San Diego de Alcalá announces a unique opportunity for the public to attend “Spirituality in Art: The James Hubbell Collection at Mission San Diego de Alcala," a special exhibition of James T. Hubbell’s sculptures and stained glass artworks on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. Mr. Hubbell, a world-renowned artist, architectural designer and visionary created twenty works of art for the Mission during the years 1976 through 1999.

Update: We've added lots of great prizes! See list below.

You're invited to the East County Dining Club's next dining adventure at Buckboard’s Barbecue & Brew in El Cajon (975 Greenfield Drive) on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m.  Everyone is welcome!

Buckboard’s is brand new to El Cajon, but they’ve been serving up amazing BBQ for 30 years in San Diego before moving to East County. The chef formerly worked as a top chef at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, a Michelin-caliber restaurant. If you love barbecue, you’ll want to try out Buckboard’s! 

Buckboard’s is famous for their Santa Maria-style slow-cooked barbecue, with meat that is brined and marinated for five days before being cooked over the open flames. 

They also have a full range of craft beers as well as some good wines. 

RSVPs are required so the restaurant can be prepared with a feast for our hungry members and guests!

RSVP: editor@eastcountymagazine.org or call 619 698 7617.

Santee Chamber of Commerce celebrates with family-friendly fun, craft beer and the honoring of military members 

East County News Service

May 20, 2019 (Santee) -- Join more than 30,000 visitors at the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, May 25 at Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway in Santee.  The Street Fair is celebrating its 11th year and offers family-friendly games, live music and entertainment, over 300 various food and vendor booths, artists, carnival rides, a kid’s zone and more. The Craft Beer Festival is back for its sixth year and will feature award-winning craft beer samples from local breweries and beyond. The street fair starts at 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Craft Beer Festival starts at 11:30 am to 5:30 p.m.

East County News Service

May 18, 2019 (Flinn Springs) – Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs invites you to come celebrate the fragrance and beauty of lavender at a Lavender Festival and Antique Fair on Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of Anomar and Xavier Bailey Photography

May 14, 2019 (Ramona) -- Explore what it means to be creative at the upcoming Anomar Festival on June 29th in Ramona. Located at the scenic Begent Ranch, surrounded by the Ramona Grasslands, attendees can meet our art “collaborators” who will offer a variety of hands-on activities meant to spark joy and expand their horizons.   

East County News Service

May 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- The merry month of May continues with activities including San DIego River Days, the Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous, Salsa y Salsa Festival in Lemon Grove, Lilac Festival in Santa Ysabel, Sky tours in Julian, Musica En La Plaza in Escondido, a jazz concert at Mission Trails Church, Open Farm Day at Oasis Camel Dairy, A Taste of Julian, America on Main Street Festival in El Cajon, America on Main Street, Wild in the Country at Lions Tigers and Bears, a Gunsmoke fundraiser for a local Lions Club in El Cajon, El Cajon’s dinner and a concert, Classic Cruise Night’s centennial season in downtown El Cajon, the San Diego Vintner’s Association Wine Festival, a hike across the Santa Ysabel Preserve, a Mount Laguna Living History event, the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, a Memorial Day Warrior HIke Challenge in El Capitan Preserve, Visions of Broadway: a presentation by Kidz Danz Kompany and the Lavender Festival at Summers Past Farms.

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

East County News Service

May 8, 2019 (El Cajon) -- You’re invited to join the City of El Cajon for its family-friendly (free!) community festival, America on Main Street on May 18 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  

East County News Service

May 5, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego River Days is back for its 16th year with a full calendar of interactive activities; including hikes, bike rides, volunteer projects, bird walks, animal tracking adventures, open houses, tours, artists painting, a star party, fishing, a full moon hike and much more.

East County News Service

May 5, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove Lions Club, a nonprofit organization devoted to service and volunteering, is hosting its annual Salsa y Salsa Fiesta on May 11 from 6-9 p.m.at the Monte Vista Village Auditorium (2211 Massachusetts Ave, Lemon Grove.)  The event will feature salsa tasting, a salsa contest, Salsa Dancing, plus Mexican food, music & prizes.

East County News Service

May 2, 2019 (Julian) – A Taste of Julian is a self-guided culinary tour of unique restaurants, wineries and breweries. This year’s Taste of Julian will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 1-5 p.m.  From delicious main dishes to candied apples, apple pies, chocolates, wine, beer and hard cider, you’ll find plenty to tempt your tastebuds.

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

Find details below provided by County Parks: