By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Dog Days of Summer at Ramona wineries, a Sip of Julian, Cajon Classic Cruises, plus outdoor concerts in Lemon Grove, Santee and El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the HeART of Mt. Helix, a Star Party in Lakeside, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, Laurel and Hardy comedy films with Thelma Todd n Spring Valley, a Fall Art Show in Julian, the Ramona Grape Stomp, and Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon.

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

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts, a murder mystery theatre in Julian and a 40^th birthday party for the city of Lemon Grove.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including concerts in the park, a Sip of Julian, the Heart of Mt. Helix, a star party campout at Oakoasis, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and Laurel and Hardy comedy clips in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Jungle Book Movie at La Mesita Park,  a Museum Roadshow at Cuyamaca College,  a family hike and falconry presentation at Santa Ysabel Preserve, plus community concerts in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and Santee.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Mariah Carey and Lionel Ritchie in concert at San Diego State, a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian, Pine Valley Days, the Pomerado Jazz Quintet at Mission Trails, a Sip of Julian, the HeART of Mt. Helix, the Ramona Country Fair,  and a Laurel and Hardy film presentation in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Cal Fire family day at Lake Morena, astronomy night on Mt. Helix, the author of “Nature Adventures” in La Mesa, and a showing of The Jungle Book in La Mesita park.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a family hike plus falcons and hawks at Santa Ysabel Preserve, superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey at San Diego State, a murder mystery theatre in Julian, a Pacific Coast Trail presentation, Laurel & Hardy night in Spring Valley, Pine Valley Days, Julian’s Apple Pie Grand Prix, the Heart of Mt. Helix, and Ramona’s Country Fair.

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2017 (Del Mar) – Whether you’re hankering to watch a Wild West shootout, taste a bacon-wrapped cactus or sip a glass of Screamin’ Chief 4th Alarm grand cuvee wine, you’ll find plenty to  hold your attention at the 2017 San Diego County Fair at Del Mar.

This year’s theme is “How the West was won.”   So we started our visit by moseying through a tunnel to Frontier Town, which is here until July 2. The fair itself runs through the 4^th of July.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2017 (Poway) – Experience an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration complete much as people at the end of the 1900s would have done.  The fun includes patriotic entertainment, gun fighting reenactments and rides on a historic railway train—as well as tasty treats, crafts, old-fashioned games and entertainment at Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road, Poway) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Association invite you to the next Boulevard Stroll, which features a luau theme on July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.  In addition to leis, music, art and specials at local merchants, participating restaurants are encouraged to serve up Hawaiian drinks or Happy Hour themed specials.

Activities confirmed so far include:

East County News Service

June 21, 2017 (Julian) -- The Julian Apple Pie Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This year’s vintage sports car show, parade and festival is a a salute to the sports cars of Great Britain.

East County News Service

June 20, 2017 (El Cajon) - At the next Friday night Dinner & a Concert on June 23, dance to hippie rock music by the group “Summer of Love” from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The  2017 season of “Dinner & a Concert” is held outdoors at the Prescott Promenade, 201 E. Main Street, now through September 29. Arrive early to dine at one of many great restaurants downtown, or bring your picnic and lawn chairs. 

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Escondido)  -- Did you know your dog can be trained to recognize rattlesnakes by sight, sound or scent AND to avoid them? A course on rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs - featuring live rattlesnakes that have been disabled from biting - will take place on July 8^th in Escondido.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, July 1^st  from 11am-1pm, and is free for all ages. As part of the event, the Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library will be holding a half-price book sale in the library courtyard from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2017  (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon invites you to participate in “Clean El Cajon Day” on Saturday, June 17^th at Wells Park.   Councilman Ben  Kalasho introduced the measure that created  Clean El Cajon Day and the first 100 people who sign up online will receive free T-shirts.  Click here to view a special video from Councilman Kalasho and Waste Management. 

East County News Service

June 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes lavender day at Summer’s Past Farms, the Julian Dance, the Taste of La Mesa, Fido Fest in Santee, outdoor concerts in La Mesa and Santee and night fishing at Santee Lakes.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Father’s Day Adventure at Fort Cross in Julian, the Julian Blues Fest, a Passport Through Time road trip on historic Highway 67, a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack, Santee Salutes, Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, El Cajon’s Independence Day celebration, Descanso Days, and astronomy night on Mount Helix.

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 2, 2017 (Descanso) – “Red, white and moo!” will be the theme of this year’s Descanso Days Parade and Fair on July 8^th.    Parade entries will be judged on best of theme, most creative, and judge’s choice.