WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EL CAJON

3rd Annual America On Main Street Is May 21 Is This Saturday!

Don’t miss one of the biggest events of the year!  Join us Saturday, May 21, for America on Main Street in Downtown El Cajon – with the theme “The Beach Comes East!”  This patriotic event is in Downtown El Cajon on Armed Forces Day!

FREE admission and parking, three stages of live musical entertainment featuring:

•  Berkeley-Hart - Bluegrass, Folk, Country & Rock - 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Tim Flannery - Coffee House Rock - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• The Buckley’s - Classic Rock - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Retro Rockets - Beach Boys/Surf - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Community Entertainment & Street Performers
• Over 150 Booths
• Play the Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a Taylor Guitar, a Mountain Bike, or a Beach Cruiser!

The day starts with a military flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Enjoy free rides, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, Spin-a-Rama, a coconut climbing wall, surfboard ride, a chili cook-off (police vs. fire), a National Corn Hole Competition, petting zoo, kids’ crafts, vendors and so much more!  Hours will be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for this fun, free, family event!

You are also invited to be a volunteer, or register for the Corn Hole event, please call (619) 441-1754 or visit www.americaonmainstreet.org for more information.

Wednesday Night Cajon Classic Cruise Car Shows

See beautiful classic vehicles during the 2016 Season of Cajon Classic Cruise Car Shows every Wednesday night, now through October 26.  On May 27, the theme will be a “Charger Steve’s Starz Cars!”  Car shows are located on East Main Street between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  This popular car show is in the area of the Prescott Promenade, 201 E. Main Street, in Downtown El Cajon, and hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. For more information, please visit www.cajonclassiccruise.org or call (619) 334-3000.

The Might Untouchables At The Next “Dinner & a Concert”

Don’t miss the next “Dinner & a Concert” at the Prescott Promenade on Friday, May 25th!  Get your dancing shoes ready for this Modern Contemporary band "The Mighty Untouchables!"  Enjoy great music and dancing on Friday nights, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., now through October 7.  Arrive early and dine at any one of many great restaurants downtown, or bring your picnic and lawn chairs.  These free concerts are located at 201 E. Main Street and hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. See the full line-up of bands at www.downtownelcajon.com, or call (619) 334-3000.

Cactus Garden BBQ at the Wieghorst Museum

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center is having a BBQ in the Cactus Garden on Saturday, June 4, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at 131 Rea Avenue.  Enjoy great food and live country music by Smith & Western!  This event is a fundraiser to benefit the Museum Kids Education Program and Sons of Charity fighting for families with childhood cancer.  Tickets are $25 presale or $30 at the door.  For more information, please call (619) 590-3431.

El Cajon Walks! Meet-up Group

If you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, explore your neighborhood and meet some new friends - then this group is for you!  Join this group for fun, safe walks around El Cajon and discover how to get to local destinations safely with great people, while building your community. Specific walking routes will be tailored to the abilities and interests of the group, but will stay in El Cajon. Walks will be scheduled on a monthly basis on Thursday afternoons, but may vary slightly to fit the group’s needs.  Bring water, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a light sweater.  El Cajon Walks!  Choose from these upcoming walks:

•  Walk to America on Main Street on Saturday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m.  Meet at the El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon.   Bring your family and walk with the group around El Cajon before ending at America on Main Street. 

• An afternoon walk with the El Cajon Walks! Crew on Thursday, June 2, at 5:00 p.m. at John F. Kennedy Park, 1675 East Madison Avenue, in El Cajon.

Explore some of the neighborhoods in El Cajon together – and the cost is free!  This walking group is a partnership with the City of El Cajon and Circulate San Diego.  RSVP to: http://www.meetup.com/El-Cajon-Walks/?scroll=true.   

Recreation News:

Volunteer Opportunity In Recreation

The City of El Cajon Recreation Department is looking for volunteers ages 14 - 17 who would like to volunteer in our Summer Camp. Volunteers will help staff with a variety of camp activities.  A great opportunity to fulfill your school’s required community service hours or gain job experience.  It also looks great on college applications and job resumes. Stop by Hillside Recreation Center between 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to apply. Hillside is at 840 Buena Terrace, El Cajon. For additional information, please call (619) 441-1674.

Registration for City of El Cajon Summer Camps

It’s not too early to plan for your kids’ summer vacation and register for the El Cajon Recreation Department’s summer day camps. Early registration began Monday, April 18th and will continue until camps are full. Don’t miss out! There are 14 camps throughout the summer, beginning June 20th through August 5th. For more information go to www.elcajonrec.org or call 619-441-1516.

Free Kids Arts and Crafts

Hillside Community Center offers a FREE "Kids Arts and Crafts program" for youth ages 5 - 12 every Friday, from 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on a drop-in basis.  Drawing, painting, collage, wearable art, gifts and seasonal crafts are just a few of the activities. Hillside Community Center is located at 840 Buena Terrace in El Cajon.  Please call (619) 441-1674 with any questions.

General Information:

Be Safe! Free Disaster Preparedness Classes – Space Still Available

Are you prepared for an earthquake or fire?  Two East County CERT disaster preparedness academies for 2016 are still available!  This valuable program is designed to help protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation/disaster and to possibly assist emergency agencies during large natural disasters.  Space still available in the final two academies for 2016: June 11 and September 10. Each academy consists of six classes. Visit www.heartlandfire.org for the full 2016 CERT Academy schedule, or call (619) 441-1737 for more information or to register.

El Cajon Farmers’ Market Every Thursday

Stop by the El Cajon Farmers’ Market every Thursday at the Prescott Promenade, located at 201 E. Main Street.  Hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Farmers’ Market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh baked bread and more.  For more information, please visit www.elcajonfarmersmarket.org.  

May 20 and June 3 - Alternate Friday closures for El Cajon City offices. Please go to www.cityofelcajon.us for a full calendar of office hours for City offices during 2016.

May 24 and June 14 - El Cajon City Council Meetings are at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., as needed. Meetings held in the Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center Way. For more information, and to view the full agenda online, please visit www.cityofelcajon.us.

May 30 - City offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Safety Reminder From The El Cajon Police Department:

School Buses – Motorist Advisory

Traffic Enforcement Officers and School Bus Drivers alike have noticed an increase in drivers passing school buses that are loading and unloading students.  As a reminder to all drivers, if you see a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign arm extended, YOU MUST STOP.

Fines for this violation can be as much as $1,000.00, and your license suspended.  Please be aware of buses while on your daily commute and STOP FOR THE BUS. Let's work together to make the roadways safer.

*Stay Informed On City Events, Meetings And City Services

Visit the City of El Cajon’s new website at www.cityofelcajon.us and see all the exciting events and a variety of meetings planned throughout the year. Register for the “E-NOTIFICATION” system and select the information you would like to receive via email.   It’s easy, and it’s free.  You’ll find links and information for various City departments and services.