DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS AUG. 24-SEPT. 30, 2019
By Miriam Raftery
August 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features Miner’s Day at the Julian Mining Company, berry picking at Julian Farm and Orchard, the Barona Pow-wow, Julian Fall Art Show, Sky Hunters in Julian, and a Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley.
Plus, we have a preview of coming events including the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Grape Stomp Festa, a “Holy Smoke” BBQ, Campo Grape Picking and Stomping Party, the Ramona Grape Stomp, fall at the Farm, a bluegrass festival in Santee, plus concerts and car shows in El Cajon.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
MINER’S DAY AUG. 24 AT JULIAN MINING CO.
Julian Mining Company (4444 State Route 78, Julian) will host Miner’s Day on Saturday, August 24th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You’re invited to bring the family to try your hand at gold panning, gem mining, axe throwing, and a fossil and artifact dig pit.
For more information, you can visit https://www.julianminingcompany.com/.
BERRY PICKING AT JULIAN FARM AND ORCHARD
Julian Farm and Orchard has 24 acres with over 2,000 berry plants. On Saturdays and Sundays from now through September, you can pick blackberries and raspberries from 12 to 3 p.m.
The farm is located just up the road from Julian Mining Company at 4381 Highway 78 on the Santa Ysabel side of the highway.
BARONA POWWOW AUG. 30-SEPT. 1
The 49th annual Barona Powwow takes place Friday, August 30th through Sunday, September 1st at the Barona Sports complex on the Barona Indian reservation.
The public is welcome to come watch Native dancers and drummers from across the nation compete at the powwow, where you can also find craft vendors and food such as tacos made with Native American fry bread.
For details, please visit https://www.barona-nsn.gov/2019powwow.
JULIAN FALL ART SHOW AUG. 31-SEPT. 2; ARTISTS RECEPTION AUG. 30
The Julian Arts Guild invites you to their three-day Fall Art Show over Labor Day weekend, August 31st through September 2nd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall (2129 Main St., Julian). You can enjoy viewing artwork, enter an art raffle, or purchase art to take home.
There is also a Meet the Artists Reception on Friday, August 30th from 5 to 7 p.m. More information is available at www.JulianArtsGuild.org.
SKY HUNTERS AUG. 31 IN JULIAN
Sky Hunters invites you to William Heise County Park in Julian (4945 Heise Park Rd., Julian) on Saturday, August 31st from 5 to 6 p.m. to learn about hawks, owls, falcons and eagles.
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you found a sick or injured raptor or if there were any laws to protect these magnificent birds? This program is not only educational but also allows you to view these amazing birds closer than you normally would in the wild.
For more information, call the park at 760-765-0650 (or follow the event on Facebook.)
SAPS AT SEA COMEDY AUGUST 31
Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan society, invites you to their next meeting on August 31 in Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley. The doors open at 6:30 for the 7 p.m. show.
This month, the Saps will start with another cartoon starring Bugs Bunny. Then, Stan and Ollie escape the law and end up at the top of a skyscraper under construction in Liberty with an accompanying musical score played by the Saps' own Russ Peck.
This month's guest comedians are Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in Air Fright (1933). After intermission, the Saps will screen Flying Deuces.
For more information, visit the Saps at Sea San Diego Facebook page.
“HOLY SMOKE BBQ” SEPT. 1 TO BENEFIT RURAL PARISH IN DESCANSO
Sunday, Sept. 1 will mark the 82nd Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish Deep Pit BBQ and community event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pit will be ignited, 1,500 pounds of local beef will be seasoned and prepared to be cooked in a special Deep Pit in the hills of Descanso. This year’s theme: “Holy Smoke!
Why Holy Smoke? “The beef is slowly cooked in our deep pit while sending up heavenly holy smoke!” says Roger Seeman, event spokesman. Located in the Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County, the site offers visitors a day full of fun and beautiful forested surroundings.
Holy Smoke! The BBQ feast includes deep pit BBQ beef with all the fixings. After dining, a quick stroll over to the apple/ice cream booth will top off your meal. “It disappears like smoke on a windy day, so you better hurry,” Seeman advises.
You can also have a beer or soda while listening to the Whiskey Ridge Band – and get your smokin’ cowboy boots on the dance floor. For the kids, there are plenty of fun activities such as crafts and games.
Raffle drawings go on all day and the Granddaddy prize is a $1,000 cash drawing. Vendors will entice you to shop till you drop. Grandma’s Attic is back featuring rootin’ tootin’ smokin’ hot bargains.
How are the proceeds used?
“We have many missions and we try very had to reach our community in their time of need and provide education and directions with struggling souls of any age in the mountain community,” Seeman says. “This is an East County parish made up of working families trying to do the right thing for our God, country, community, families and those in need.”
(The event has free parking, shuttle and admission. No pets).
Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish is located at 9136 Riverside Dr. Descanso, CA 91916.
SYCUAN POWWOW SEPT. 6-8
The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation will hold its 30th annual powwow from Friday evening, September 6 through Sunday, September 8 at the Sycuan powwow ground (5577 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon).
The event features bird singing and Native American dance competitions, drumming, Native arts and crafts vendors, foods and more.
For details on the powwow, visit https://sctca.net/flyer/30th-annual-sycuan-powwow/.
JULIAN GRAPE STOMP FESTA SEPT. 7
Fall is harvest season at East County’s wineries. On September 7th, the 23rd annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa will be held at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can join in the Old World tradition by kicking off your shoes and squishing grapes beneath your feet. There is an admission cost, as well as an optional VIP package that includes shaded seating, a gourmet cheese platter, snacks and more.
For full details or tickets, check out VisitJulian.com and click on the September 7th Grape Stomp Festa event on their calendar. (https://visitjulian.com/to-see-do/special-events/grape-stomp/)
CAMPO GRAPE PICKING AND STOMPING PARTY SEPT. 7
Campo Creek Vineyards (29556 Highway 94 in Campo) will host a grape picking and stomping party complete with barbecue on September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event admission ($20 for ages 6 and up) includes barbecue trip tip and chicken provided by Heftyboy BBQ and one beverage.
Additional drink tickets are available, along with wine by the glass, water and soda.
RSVP by September 1t at (619) 478-2222 or at www.CampoCreekVineyards.com.
RAMONA GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 14
The annual Ramona Grape Stomp will be held on Saturday, September 14th from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (421 Aqua Lane).
Guests are invited to take part in the grape stomp competition or squish grapes just for fun. You can also sample award-winning local wines and craft beers, do some early holiday shopping with over 40 artisans and merchants, find treasures in a silent auction, and for kids, there will be face painting and other children’s activities.
For tickets to the Ramona Grape Stomp and more information, you can visit https://www.ramonagrapestomp.com/.
SANTEE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL SEPT. 14
The City of Santee Parks & Recreation Committee’s annual Bluegrass Festival, a fundraiser for people, parks, and programs, is scheduled for Sept. 14 at Town Center Community Park. This year’s event marks a decade in existence for the festival.
“The popularity of the Bluegrass Festival has grown every year, and it’s become tradition for a lot of people over the last 10 years,” said Santee Special Events Supervisor Bree Humphrey. “We feature the area’s best restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries, all while supporting a great cause. What’s not to love?”
This year’s musical lineup features two talented bluegrass bands, the Vulcan Mt. Boys and MohaviSoul.
Beyond the music, food and drink samples, the event includes giving trees featuring a wide range of donated gifts, including gift certificates for restaurants and local attractions, hotel stays, and more. Attendees can also purchase opportunity drawing tickets for a chance to win additional prizes.
Since the inaugural charity event in 2010, the festival has generated nearly $325,000, and attendance has grown to nearly 2,000.
Festival information is available at www.santeebluegrassfestival.com.
FALL AT THE FARM SEPT. 21-OCT. 31
Julian Farm and Orchard (4381 State Route 78) invites you to Fall at the Farm, each weekend from September 21st through October 31st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The fun includes hayrides, apple cider pressing, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, berry and apple picking. You can also see an apple pie making demonstration, or try your hand at archery, candle-dipping or axe-throwing.
A seasonal farm store called “The Farmer’s Wife” features farmhouse décor, homemade candles, poutpourri, goat’s milk soap and more country wares.
You can find more information at www.JulianMiningCompany.com and click on the U-pick link to find activities at Julian Farm and Orchard, under the same family ownership.
DINNER AND A CONCERT SERIES IN EL CAJON
El Cajon’s popular Dinner and a Concert series is held each Friday evening at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon from 6 to 8 p.m. Shows will continue through September.
You can bring a picnic dinner, or dine early at one of the many restaurants nearby before rocking out at the outdoor (free) concerts.
Upcoming concerts include Lightening Train doing Western Swing August 30. In September, the lineup includes Stars on the Water-Yacht Rock on September 6th, a Tom Petty Tribute by the Pettybreakers on September 13, The Mighty Untouchables with contemporary and dance music on September 20th, and Back to the Garden’s Beatles Show on September 27th for the season finale with a special 6:30 start time.
For full details, visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.
EL CAJON CLASSIC CRUISES EACH WEDNESDAY
El Cajon’s Classic Cruise Nights continue in the fall months each Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. along Main Street in the heart of downtown El Cajon.
For a full schedule of events, you can visit https://downtownelcajon.com.
That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more in the calendar and events section at our website, www.EastCountyMagazine.org.
If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.
We’ll be back soon with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!