East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Julian) -- The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m.

UPDATE:  THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO ORGANIZERS HELPING WITH FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS. 

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Deerhorn Valley) — Residents of Deerhorn Valley will be holding a true Americana-style parade on Monday, July 4^th starting at 10 a.m.  Residents of this rural community south of Jamul are invited to take a tractor, lasso a llama, hop on a horse, drive a donkey, walk with a wagon, jump aboard a Jeep or just walk on two feet, festooned in patriotic red, white and blue.  The parade will include Clydesdale horses, an antique fire engine and live drumming.  Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, drums, rattles and shakers.

East County News Service

Photo Mt. Helix courtesy Allan Ferguson on Flickr

June 7, 2016 (Mt. Helix) – This summer, several fun events will be held atop Mt. Helix, including an astrononmy night, the annual heART of Mt. Helix festivities, and an Art in the Park children’s art camp.  Scroll down for details.

East County News Service

June 5, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside Library will host "Country Living:  Let's Talk Turkey" on Saturday, June 18th at the Lakeside Library on 9839 Vine Street in Lakeside.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

June 1, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes fiddle and pickin’ in Julian,  the 8th Annual “Taste of La Mesa” and the largest roller skating rink in Southern California.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions … Julian dance and back country barbecue, antique and craft fair in flinn springs and fido fest - paws in the park

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

May 31, 2016 (Flinn Springs) - Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs invites you to experience Lavender Day along with an antique and crafts fair on Saturday, June 11^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

East County News Service

May 30, 2016 (La Mesa) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present “Health Fair Saturday,” one of the largest annual free health fairs in San Diego’s East County region, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, near the movie theaters at the Grossmont Center mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Remember our service members this Memorial Day with an unforgettable ascent up El Capitan. 

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society will be back in the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane, on May 28 at 2 p.m. with part II of its remembrance of the Vietnam War.  The event honors our military on the Memorial Day weekend and is an opportunity to learn more about the war that many would prefer to forget, but that scarred an entire generation in both the U.S. and Vietnam.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Santee)--The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival draws over 30,000 visitors each year with patriotic fund for the whole family. The eight annual festival will be held this year on Saturday, May 28^th from 10a.m to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee. The festival will feature local breweries and honor the military on the Heroes Stage.

Festival highlights include: a craft beer festival, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides, and games for the family. 

East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (Alpine) - Alpine Business Networking Association (ABNA) is holding a Garden Party Mixer on Thursday, June 9th at 5:30 p.m. at Alpine Garden & Gifts located at 2442 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The evening’s highlights will include a delicious barbeque dinner and speakers Kathy Matranga (water-wise plant suggestions and grass replacement) and Frank Sturniolo (“Reach for Life”).

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a  barbecue with firefighters,  the Santee Craft Beer and Street Festival, the catfish opener at Lake Jennings and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, Fido Fest in Santee, the Taste of La Mesa, an Apple Blossom Tea in Julian, and a Western luau in Descanso.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a rodeo and parade, America on Main Street, those lively Rhinestone Grannies, a catfish opener, Peter Pan and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Cactus Garden Festival, Julian Fiddle and  Pickin’ Contest, La Mesa Flag Day Parade, Taste of La Mesa, Boars and Brew along the San Diego River, plus concerts, live theater shows and outdoor movies – all part of the summer fun herein East County.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

May 4, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the opening of Dinner and a Concert season in El Cajon, the Campo Roundup, the Coyote Music Festival, a Taste of Julian, Rihanna in concert, and a Jacumba community yard sale complete with Chinese Castle tour and rides in a flying saucer!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Ramona Rodeo and Parade, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears,  a Laurel and Hardy Wacky Western night in Spring Valley,  a one-man musical show at Mission Trails Regional Park, and El Cajon’s America on Main Street  celebration.

So stay tuned for all of these events and more!