By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Naturalization citizenship ceremony, cc via Bing

May 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – This year, El Cajon’s America on Main Street celebration won’t include a mass swearing-in ceremony for new citizens.

“The City reached out to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to make our annual request for their participation,” city manager Graham Mitchell told ECM. “Our contact person informed us that due to operational needs they are unable to participate this year, but asked that we keep them in mind for next year. “

The federal government’s denial of the city’s request to swear in new immigrations comes amid the Trump administration’s expanded operational crackdowns and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and some green card holders. Withholding swearing in of new immigrants dashes hopes of many who went through the long and costly process to become U.S. citizens.

America on Main Street began in 2017 as a “patriotic celebration of our diversity,” according to Councilmember Gary Kendrick, a cofounder of the event.

East County News Service

May 4, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon will present its 5^th annual America on Main Street celebration and Salute to Heroes on Saturday, May 19 from 2 to 9 p.m.  The event coincides with Armed Forces Day and celebrates the American spirit through the community’s many ethnic and historical groups.

By Robert Gehr

May 15, 2016 (El Cajon) - Saturday, May 21^st is the day to mark your calendar this year. The annual America on Main Street in El Cajon is back. This year’s theme is “The Beach Comes East” and admission is free.  You can bring the entire family to this friendly, safe event and enjoy hours of good old-fashioned, wholesome fun. I’m quite sure you won’t be disappointed.

May 15, 2015 (El Cajon)--This week’s Destination East County includes Classic Cars, a wine and food festival, America on Main Street, a Last Chance Romance and more.

Plus we’ll also have a preview of coming attractions including a fiddlers’ competition in Julian, A Street Fair in Santee and Craft Beer festival.   So stay tuned for all of these events and much more!

By Robert Gehr (c)2015

April 19, 2015 (El Cajon) – America on Main Street, a fun-filled family event, is being held this year on Saturday - May 16^th, in the downtown El Cajon area, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and lasting until 8:00 p.m.

September 26, 2013 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon will be hosting a community meeting for El Cajon’s America on Main Street, a new City special event.  This community meeting will be held on Monday, September 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 East Douglas Avenue

El Cajon’s America On Main Street will be on Saturday, June 14, 2014, which is also recognized as National Flag Day. The event will include American and ethnic foods, live entertainment on two stages, displays and more.  For more information please call (619) 441-1754 or visit us online at www.cityofelcajon.us.