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By Ariele Johannson
April 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes several annual outdoor festivals, a parade, garden and home tours, plant sales, wine tasting, dancing events, a rodeo, Western Days, and more!
The 49th Annual Lakeside Western Days Parade's theme for this year is "Lakeside: Where the West is Still Alive" and celebrates the Lakeside Rodeo’s 50th anniversary. The event will take place on Saturday, April 26th at 9:35 a.m. along Woodside and Maine Avenue. This year’s parade Grand Marshal is the El Capitan Stadium Association for 50 years of organizing the Lakeside rodeo. The Association selected long-time volunteer Don Hickle to be its representative in the parade. Hickle has been an active member of the Lakeside community for the past 38 years. The parade will be filled with a wide variety of antique and classic cars, bands and entertainment from local schools, floats representing local businesses and organizations, clowns and of course – cowboys and cowgirls!
For information about the parade or the Chamber, visit http://www.lakesidechamber.org.
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To get ready for the parade the night before on Friday, April 18th, the Optimists' Club of Lakeside will be offering its 33rd annual Western Days BBQ DINNER served at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The menu is Deep Pit BBQ Beef with all the fixins'.
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The Annual Lakeside Rodeo will take place the same weekend as the Lakeside Parade and Western Days Celebration. Performances are scheduled throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 25, 26th, and 27th at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. Spectators can enjoy Western-Style Fun, with Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Roping Competitions and more.
The Lakeside Rodeo Grounds are located at 12584 Mapleview Street, Lakeside, CA 92040. Phone: 619-561-4331. Price: $5-$250
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The Horse of the Sun Ranch on Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley is holding an Open House event on Saturday, April 26th from noon to 4:00 p.m. The open house includes free program demonstrations throughout the afternoon, free ranch tours and nature walks, and catering by Descanso Junction Catering.
Contact http:///www.horseofthesun.org or 619-473-8458 for more information.
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In honor of Arbor Day, on Saturday, April 26th at 10:00 a.m., join Park Ranger Bret Exner to take a hike through Santa Ysabel East Preserve. The group will be observing the various species of trees in the Preserve including oaks, sycamores and pines. This is a family-friendly event with all ages and abilities welcome. Hikers can meet at the Santa Ysabel east staging area. Inclement weather will cancel the event.
Santa Ysabel Preserves is located at 500 Farmer Road in Julian.
Phone: 760-765-4098
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The German American Societies in El Cajon are celebrating the heritage of their home countries at their Second Annual International Heritage Ball on Saturday, April 26th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Heritage Ball includes the USA, Poland, Germany, and other European Countries. Dinner and dessert will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and then the German “kindertanzgruppe” of the societies’ little dancers will open the Heritage Ball at 7:30 p.m., followed by other entertainers performing their folk dances.
For more information and tickets, visit the German American Societies of El Cajon at http://www.germanclubsandiego.org or email Heidi at heidiwgermanclub@cox.net. The address of the Heritage Ball is 1017 South Mollison Avenue, El Cajon, Ca. 92020 Tel. 619-442-6637 (leave a message).
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The Lemon Grove Historical Society presents A Day at the Historic 1892 Troxell Manor and Gardens, Lemon Grove’s Third Oldest Home, which was built by William and Mary Ann Troxell on Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able tour the Manor and its gardens with ancient trees, and a working organic garden & orchard. Also, available will be Demonstrations and Live Music under the trees with guitarist Jon Garner. Guests can also observe artists at work and enjoy refreshments and tastings. Garden-related door prizes will be given out.
There is free parking in Civic Center Park a bare half block from the manor's long driveway. Please let them know if you're bringing anybody in a wheelchair, or with a walker, and they'll advise on an easy way to deliver your precious cargo without walking up the driveway.
Ticket Info: 619-460-4353 No tickets will be mailed. Your tickets will be held at Will Call for pickup on April 26th at the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive Street, Civic Center Park, Lemon Grove, half a block from the Troxell Manor & Gardens. You may pick up your tickets starting at 9 a.m. Free Parking in Civic Center Park or on-street with a convenient, short stroll to the Manor. Please wear flat shoes; no cameras or large bags in the manor; no handicapped access to this private home. Tickets: $12/person until Apr. 12. After 4/12-$15/person. Lemon Grove Historical Society, P.O. Box 624, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.
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The sixth annual “Coyote Music Festival” will he hosted by Cuyamaca Community College on the campus Grand Lawn on Saturday, April 26th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The festival features seven bands of up-and-coming local talent that will showcase all-original music compositions. These home-grown singer-songwriters will perform a variety of genres, including acoustic, rock, folk and pop. The event is free and open to the public and parking is free.
Visit www.facebook.com/coyotemusicfestival or www.coyotemusicfest.comfor more information.
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A springtime English-style high tea amidst blooming fields of lavender will be served up at the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. Their menu including lemon lavender scones with jam and Devonshire cream, appetizers, sandwiches, smoked turkey, truffled egg salad, chicken tarragon, fresh fruit, raspberry crème roulade, Viennese chocolate vanilla crescents, lavender lady kisses and an assortment of hot teas. The high teas will be served at 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 25th and 26th.
Tickets cost $45 for adults and $22.50 for children ages 3-10. For more information and tickets, visit http://kclfarm.com/index.html.
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The 19th Annual East County Garden Tour put on by the Friends of East County Arts, Inc. takes place on Saturday, April 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All six gardens offer a variety of settings to learn from and enjoy. Included in the tour this year are water-wise settings, unique garden "corners," an African-themed explosion of colorful characters and drought-tolerant plants, St. Madeleine Sophie’s 2 acre Organic Garden and nursery, which sells many wonderful plants, and "Applecrate” vendors offering crafts and garden creations for purchase.
Tickets for the 19th Annual Garden Tour are $15.00 in advance or $18.00 at any garden site the day of the tour. Contact Christy Klock at 619 442-8515 for advanced tickets or visit their website at www.friendsofecarts.org.
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The WINE AND RAIL EVENT EMBARKS ON Saturday, APRIL 26th at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo and the Campo Depot where riders can enjoy an afternoon of leisure in the beautiful backcountry riding the historic Pacific Southwest rails. All together, there will be live presentaitons by local wineries, heavy hors d’oeuvres, presentations by historians and wineries, as well as a scenic train ride all put on by The Mountain Empire Campo Kiwanis and the East County Vintners Association, A self-guided tour of the museum is also included. Guests may also win door prizes and vie for raffle baskets.
A $45 ticket includes wine tasting. For tickets, contact Arvy at 619-478-5566. For driving directions, visit http://sdrm.org.
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Soroptimist International of Lemon Grove is holding a Bunco Brunch on Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St John of the Cross, Knights of Columbus Hall on Broadway and Columbus Drive in Lemon Grove. This fundraising event includes brunch, 3 rounds of Bunco and a door prize ticket. Reservations are required.
For more information, call Jan Davis 619-890-5901 or via email at jandavis3@cox.net.
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Now for a preview of upcoming events:
The WINGS OF FREEDOM Aircraft TOUR at the RAMONA AIRPORT will be holding its last day for tours and flying on Friday, April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The exhibit opened on Wednesday, April 23rd. Aviation enthusiasts and war history buffs can enjoy a unique display at Ramona Airport of World War II aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang. There are walk-through tours, as well as actual flights in a few of the vintage aircraft, including a B-17 Bomber.
The aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Ramona at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23rd and will be on display to the public until 5:00 p.m. on April 24th with hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Following the Ramona Airport stop, the tour will move to McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, April 25th to 27th. For flight reservations and information, call 800-568-8924 or visit www.cfdn.org. Ramona Airport is located at 2898 Montecito Rd. in Ramona.
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The Ramona Bluegrass and Old West Fest is coming up on Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday May 4th. This two-day local East County festival has a lineup of musicians performing on the Old West Stage, a Civil War Era camp, a saloon, Mountain Men, a prairie schooner and the Cowboys. You’ll be able to visit their camps, talk and learn about how life was lived in the 1700 – 1800′s. Visitors can enjoy two full days of bluegrass and old fashioned cowboy music, along with jam sessions and workshops for children, at the Ramona Bluegrass and Old West Festival.
The location for the event is the Ramona Outdoor Community Center. Tickets may be purchased directly from the Ramona Business Barn at 369 Main Street in Ramona and by calling 790-788-0811. Tickets are also available at the gate the day(s) of the festival. Price: $5-$30
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Cajon Classic Cruises returns every Wednesday, beginning April 23rd from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. This annual car show is held in the area of the Prescott Promenade in Downtown El Cajon and is hosted by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. Cajon Classic Cruise Car Shows are held every Wednesday night and continues through October 29th. For more information, contact them at http://www.downtownelcajon.com or call (619) 334-3000.
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Old West gunfights, ranch branding, mutton busting, and a horseshoe tournament will all be taking place out at the Campo/Lake Morena Roundup on Saturday, May 3rd, presented by the Camp Locket Event & Equestrian Facility. Other activities include the Miss Roundup Pageant, kids’ games, country music, antique tractor display, a reenactment of the famous Campo gunfight at high noon, merchandise and food vendors, a stick horse competition, and gymkhana all day. Gates open at 7 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 10:00 a.m.
For more information, visit www.campocleerf.org/roundoup. Admission to the all day is $5 for adults and children over age 6, with free admission for younger children. The Campo Locket Event and Equestrian Facility is located at 799 Forrest Gate Road in Campo, CA.
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The Annual Spring Garden Festival will be celebrated at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This free family-friendly community festival will feature demonstrations on community farming topics, the Cuyamaca College nursery's biggest plant sale of the year, the Rancho San Diego Farmer's Market, a fashion show called “Fashion in Bloom,” and much, much more! This is the 21st year of the festival, and the demonstrations aim to help one become a better gardener and learn how to conserve our precious resources. Visitors can also tour the Heritage of the Americas Museum and The Water Conservation Garden, both located on the campus near the nursery and farmers’ market.
Cuyamaca College is located in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA. 92019. Phone: 619-660-4000
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The 17th Annual Sage and Songbirds Festival and Garden Tour will be held in Alpine. Two separate events, the Garden Tour will be held throughout the weekend on Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 4th. The Garden Tour includes 5 private home gardens, a public habitat garden with a plant sale open to the public, and a tour of the Sky Hunters Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility. The Festival takes place one day only on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Alpine Creek Town Center on Tavern Road in Alpine. Free admission includes a butterfly release; birds of prey and hummingbirds; snakes, lizards and spiders; educational seminars; and arts and crafts vendors.
Alpine Creek Town Center is located at 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA. For information and tickets for the Garden Tour ($20/person), visit www.chirp.org or call 619-445-8352.
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Soroptimist International of Lemon Grove presents their Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Academy Auditorium in Lemon Grove. The fair features plenty of original and handmade gifts.
For more info call Joanne Burke 619-469-7350
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For a Wine Experience in the Country, the 24th Annual Vintage Alpine is taking place on Sunday, May 4th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Summers Past Farms on Old Highway 80 in Alpine.
Summers Past Farms is located at 15602 Old Highway 80, Alpine, CA. For more information, email VintageAlpine@alpinekiwanis.org, visit http://www.vintagealpine.org, or call Charles Nelson at 619-445-2183.
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Next year marks the century milestone of the founding of Jacumba Hot Springs. Although the community of Jacumba was settled in the middle 1800’s, the first time the community appeared in an official document as Jacumba HOT SPRINGS was in a State of California Railroad Commission document dated 1914.
Four major festivals are planned for the Centennial, including the Third Annual Blues Festival on Saturday, May 3rd from 12 noon until 6:30 p.m., which takes place at the Highland Center on Old Highway 80 in Jacumba Hot Springs. Guests are invited to attend the event, celebrate, and enjoy Jacumba’s scenic backcountry location. Bring the lawn chair and an appetite for homemade food, crafts and a lineup of music with a variety of talented musicians.
There will be pulled- pork sandwiches, hot dogs, water and soft drinks available for sale at the center. The Jacumba Women’s Club will be selling delicious baked goods.
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