DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: HOTTEST EVENTS JULY 9-13

Plus previews of coming attractions

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- This week’s Destination East County has some hot summertime events, from a dive-in movie to Descanso Days, a pet parade in Campo, and an extreme horsepower classic cruise night revving up in El Cajon.

We also have previews of some events later in the month, from twilight walks at Mission Trails to wine pairings in Ramona, and from live theater atop Mt. Helix, and a family campout complete with stargazing in Lakeside.

DIVE-IN MOVIE AT KROC CENTER JULY 9

If you’re sweltering in the summer heat, you can stay cool at the Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Hot Kroc Nights, which kick off this week with the first in a series of “Dive-In” movies.

Guests are given inner tubes to float in the pool while watching a family movie.  This week’s dive-in movie will be held Wednesday night, July 9 at 7:15 p.m.  Additional movies set for July 30 and August 13.  The dive-in movies are free for members, with a minimal fee for non-member families ($15 for up to a family of 5).  For details, visit www.KROCCENTER.org.

EL CAJON’S  EXTREME HORSEPOWER JULY 9, BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE JULY 10

This week in Downtown El Cajon, Wednesday night’s Cajon Classic Cruises will have the theme “Extreme Horsepower” on July 9th.  Then on Thursday evening, July 10, the 80s All Stars band will perform a Beach Boys tribute at El Cajon’s Dinner and A Concert series from 6 to 9 p.m.

If you dine at one of downtown El Cajon’s restaurants on Thursday night, you  can bring your receipt to the concert and enter a drawing for a Taylor Guitar.  You must be present to win.

There will also be vendors with foods ranging from barbecue to shaved ice, plus a giant slide for the kids.

For more information, visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

OUTDOOR SUMMER MOVIES IN LAKESIDE JULY 11

Lindo Lake Park in Lakeside will be showing outdoor movies at dusk on July 11, when “Monsters University” will be on the big screen.  You can bring a beach chair, blankets and of course, popcorn!

Lindo Lake Park is located at 12660 Lindo Lane, Lakeside.

NIGHT FISHING JULY 10 

On July 10, Santee Lakes is having night-time fishing from 5 to 11:30 p.m. on lakes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Bring a lantern and enjoy the peace and quiet of fishing under the stars.  No radios are allowed and no fishing licenses are required, though there is a small fee to participate in this event. 

For more information visit www.SanteeLakes.com

DROP A LINE AT THE SANTEE FIREFIGHTERS FISHING DERBY JULY 12

The Santee Firefighters Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, July 12 at Santee Lakes from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. Derby participants will receive a free day permit, worms, raffle ticket, hot dog lunch and free door prizes while they last. The Fishing Derby is open only to children ages 3 to 17 years. Adults can help bait and cast, but not fish. Loaner poles are available with I.D.

Preregistration by July 9 is required.  You can register online at http://www.SanteeFirefighters.org.

DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 12

The public is invited to the “45th Annual Descanso Days Parade and Fair” held Saturday, July 12. This popular annual backcountry event will be held at the historic Descanso Town Hall!

This year’s parade theme is “Bonnets & Boots,” with prizes for the best parade entries in several categories. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., but the roads close at 9:30 a.m. so plan to arrive early.

You can also listen to live music while you enjoy pit-barbecued beef cooked by the master chefs of Pine Valley Mountain Riders. “Just Friends” will start the musical lineup with their bluegrass twang at 11:00 a.m., followed by Steve Hill and the “Hill Country Band” on the KSON flat-bed stage from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

There will be a variety of activities, especially for kids, including wheelbarrow races, an egg toss, and a nail driving contest; as well as a Best Bonnet competition for all ages. You can also try your luck at raffles and a silent auction with prizes ranging from bales of hay to a family visit to Disneyland.

SUPER FULL MOON JAZZ CONCERT AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM JULY 12

With the scent of lavender in the air, a golden sunset and colorful fields of lavender as a backdrop, Gregory Page will perform at the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. The concert will be held on Saturday, July 12 from 7:00-9:30 p.m. 

Guests are invited to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy an evening with Page, winner of the 2012 San Diego Music Awards best jazz album, “Shine, Shine, Shine.” Page performs melodies and lyrics reminiscent of the 1920s sweet jazz era, as a “super full moon” rises to illuminate the night sky, promising to be a magical night.

Reservations are required.  Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For reservations and to hear a sample, visit the Mindfulness Fitness site at http://www.mindfulfitness.com/retreats/concert.

For information/directions to Keys Lavender Farm in Valley Center, visit http://www.kclfarm.com.

PET PARADE AND FAMILY FESTIVAL IN CAMPO JULY 12

Kids of all ages are invited to join the fun and showcase their pets at the first annual “Pet Parade and St. Adelaide Parish Family Festival” on July 12 at the Campo Baseball Field. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and the festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parade entrants are invited to decorate a wagon or stroller for their pet, or walk with their pet(s) on a leash. Pre-registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and most entertaining costumes, as well as the Pastor’s Choice Award. Drawings will also be held for prizes, including a half a steer (to fill a freezer) donated by Wright Ranch of Potrero. The festival also includes vendor booths, an inflatable slide and water combo, face painting, and refreshments.

Registration forms and flyers for this event are available at our website at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org.

Now for a preview of some hot events coming up soon…. 

SANTEE SUMMER CONCERTS BLUES AND BBQ SHOW JULY 17

Santee Summer Concerts lineup for their Blues and BBQ night on Thursday, July 17 includes the Mercedes Moore Band and the Bayou Brothers with special guest Bill Magee. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and there will be blues, bbq, and a beer garden until 8:30 p.m. for this event held at Santee’s Town Center Community Park East.

Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee.

Website: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/.

LES MISERABLES ON MOUNT HELIX JULY 17-21

This summer blockbuster will be staged atop Mount Helix July 17 through August 2. CCT is returning to Mt. Helix after being away for seven years. Theatre-goers will see “Les Mis” with stunning views of San Diego as the surrounding backdrop.

Les Miserables is the world’s longest-running musical. Discover a nation in the grip of revolution, where convict Jean Valjean is on the run. Hunted relentlessly by the policeman Javert for breaking his parole, he must leave his past behind and keep his vow to raise the young orphaned Cosette. But with revolution in the air and Javert closing in, Jean Valjean has no choice but to fight for his life and sacrifice everything to protect the people he loves.

For information and tickets, visit:

http://www.christiancommunitytheater.com.

SUMMER TWILIGHT WALKS AT MISSION TRAILS JULY 19

You’re invited to join Mission Trails Regional Park guides this summer for free Saturday evening guided walks in the park to learn about changes that occur as the sun goes down. These walks last approximately an hour and a half and start from the parking lot across from Kumeyaay Campground on July 19 at 7:15 p.m., August 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 20 at 6:00 p.m.

There is also an owl prowl that you can sign up for by calling 619-668 3281. Website: http://www.mtrp.org.

HOT KROC NIGHTS ICESKATING

Starting July 23, the Salvation Army Kroc Center will be offering family ice skating sessions each Wedneseday evening at 7:15 p.m.  through the end of August.  You can beat the heat with special discount rates ($5 per person.

The Kroc Center is located at 6845 University Avenue, just one block west of La Mesa.  For more information, visit the Kroc Center website at www.kroccenter.org.

STAR PARTY AND FAMILY CAMPOUT AT OAKOASIS IN LAKESIDE JULY 25-26

At Oakoasis  Preserve Campground in Lakeside, a free family campout and star party will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26.  You’re invited to join members of the San Diego Astronomy Association and park staff, using telescopes to view stars and planets from 8 to 10 p.m. If you plan to campover, arrive by 7 p.m. to set up before sunset. 

Camping gear, warm clothes and a flash light are recommended. There are restrooms and showers on site. Campfires will be permitted with wood provided by the park, but no outside wood is allowed to prevent spread of bark beetles.  Please RSVP to alex.gilbert@sdcounty.ca.gov or all 619-561-0590.

RAMONA RANCH FRUIT, HERBS, CHEESE & WINE PAIIRING JULY 26

Trezette’s Catering will serve up an array of fruit, herb and cheese selections paired with artisan wines on Saturday, July 26 from 3-6 p.m. at the Ramona Ranch Winery.  The menu includes:

·Nectarines with Tarragon Feta cheese paired with Ramona Ranch Orange Muscat

·Plums with a Lavender Goat cheese paired with Ramona Ranch Sangiovese Rose

·Strawberries with Basil Blue cheese paired with Ramona Ranch Syrah

Cost is $15; special discounts are available for winery club members.

For more information you can visit www.RamonaRanch.com.

(reservation page: http://ramonaranch.givezooks.com/events/fruit-herb-cheese-wine-pairing)

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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 show on KNSJ, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. 

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County.