DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: FEB. 28 - MARCH 28

February 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes rock climbing, live jazz and R&B concerts here in East County.  Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the Ramona Music Fest a Shakespearean play with a contemporary twist, and Vallecito Day--celebrating our frontier heritage. Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

ROCK CLIMBING FEB. 28 AT MISSION TRAILS

Here’s an event that really rocks!  Balanced Fitness invites you to enjoy a free day of rock climbing at Mission Trails Regional Park this Saturday, Febraury 28^th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Rock climber Brandon Michael, who has over 15 years of experience climbing rocks, will lead participants on some of his favorite climbs. This event is open to everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Meetup at the Mission Trails Visitor center to participate; for more information visit www.MTRP.org.

ROCK HOUSE/BORDER PATROL TRAIL IN JACUMBA FEB. 28

Spring is in the air – and the Jacumba Hikers and Walkers are hitting the trail. On Saturday, February 28^th the group will meet at the Jacumba Spa (44500 Old Highway 80) then head out along the Border Patrol Trail to Airport Mesa and the Rock House for a five mile hike.  The hike starts at 8 a.m. but hikers can order breakfast at 7 a.m.  Dogs on leashes are welcome on this hike. After the hike, bring your swimsuit and a towel if you’d like to enjoy the mineral hot springs at the Jacumba Spa courtesy of the owners.

DANNY GREEN JAZZ TRIO MARCH 1

Now for some jazzy news….Danny Green and his keyboard jazz trio will perform a free concert at Mission Trails Regional Park on Sunday, March 1^st at 3 p.m.  For details, visit www.MTRP.org.

BILLY OCEAN AT SYCUAN MARCH 5

Singer-songwriter  Billy Ocean will perform on March 5^th at the Sycuan Live & Up Close Theater in El Cajon.  Britain’s top black recording star of all time has sold over 30 million records in styles ranging from calypso to R&B.  He’s won a Grammy and topped the pop charts in the U.S. and several other countries.  For more information, you can visit www.Sycuan.com.

Now for a preview of coming attractions….

ROMEO AND JULIET AT STAGECOACH THEATER MARCH 13-21

The Stagecoach Theatre at Grossmont College will present Romeo and Juliet with eight performances in March starting March 13 and running through the 21st.  Based on Shakespeare’s classic tragic romance, this production has a twist—set against the turbulent backdrop of Prohibition Era Chicago, blending a mafia family drama with the timelessness of forbidden love.

 For tickets,  contacted the Theater Arts department at Grossmont College at Grossmont.edu. (http://www.grossmont.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/theater-arts/2014-2015-season.aspx)

ST. PATRICK’S WEEKEND RACES, BEER& WINE FESTIVAL MARCH 15

St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities in East County are slated for Sunday, March 15^th in downtown El Cajon at Main Street and Magnolia.   Choose from a half marathon, a 5K run or a green mile competition to compete for a large cash prize pot, medals, and  free drinks after the races at the St. Patrick’s Beer & Wine Festival.  There’s also a Leprechaun challenge for racers dressed like leprechauns vying to win a costume contest.

For full details, visit

http://www.stpatricksdayhalf.com/

CIRCLE OF ART SHOW IN BORREGO SPRINGS MARCH 14-15

Desert artwork will be on display at the Circle of Art Show in Borrego Springs on March 14th and 15^th. This juried art show will include paintings, sculptures, weavings, jewelry and photography.  For details visit http://circle-of-art.org/

VALLECITO DAY MARCH 28 CELEBRATES FRONTIER DAYS AND CATTLE DRIVES

Take a trip back in time to life on the 1860s frontier during Vallecito Day on Saturday, March 28^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vallecito County Park.  This year’s event focuses on cattle drives and cattle ranching along the Southern Overland Trail, with cattle ranching demonstrations as well as the arrival of trial riders on horseback.

You can also visit with pioneer men and women in period attire, visit a mountain man camp and hear historic talks, as well as experiencing frontier equipment, crafts and firearms.  Visitors are encouraged to dress in frontier attire. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch, since there is no food at the site. Vallecito County Park is located in the Anza Borrego Desert on County Route S-2( at Mile Marker 34-35.  For more information, visit http://www.sdparks.org

RAMONA MUSIC FEST MARCH 28

The Ramona Music Fest will be held March 28^th in Ramona, featuring emerging talent and popular San Diego musicians playing everything from rock to reggae and from country to Americana.  This all-day outdoor event benefits the Ramona Rotary and  Kiwanis Clubs.

The festivalwill be held at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, also known as the Rodeo/Fair Grounds at the northeast end of downtown Ramona. For details, visit www.RamonaMusicFest.org.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more on our Calendar and in our Festivals and Events section online at http://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 next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!