DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

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East County News Service

October 19,2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Borrego Days, a Toast to East County,  a production of Annie Jr.,Lakeside Heritage Day, Haunt Fest on Main, haunted trails and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Trunk or Treat, Stoney’s Boo Bash,  the Boo Parade, Halloscream, the La Mesa Historical Homes Tour,  the Art and Wine Fest in Ramona, a  Fall Plantstravaganza, and the Trout Opener at Santee Lakes.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

BORREGO DAYS OCTOBER 21-23

Borrego Springs hosts  Borrego Days this  Friday through Sunday, October 21st through 23rd.  The fun begins Friday with  live entertainment ,  followed by a parade on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. with a vintage plane flyover and over 70 parade entries, from  floats to equestrian groups to marching bands.

After the parade,  you can stroll over to Christmas Circle for displays by 50 artists as well as retail and food vendors, a beverage garden and a car show. There will be live entertainment all day and into the night under the stars in this dark sky community.

On Sunday,  you can watch a Off-Road Show.  All weekend long, you can also let the kids have fun at a Kid’s Carnival complete with rock wall, inflatable slides and carnival games.  There is a fee for the carnival. For more information visit www.BorregoSpringsChamber.com/BorregoDays.

ANNIE JR.   OCT. 20-22

Visionary Dance Theatre is presenting AnnieJr.  October 20th through 22nd at 7 p.m. the Visionary PerformanceSpace  (8693 La Mesa Blvd)in La Meas. Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.



With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan ANNIE escapes an orphanage determined to find her parents in 1930s New York City.  In  fun-filled adventures with a dog named Sandy, ANNIE foils the evil orphanage operator, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt,and meets up with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

For tickets and details visit www.VisionaryDanceTheatre.org .

TOAST TO EAST COUNTY OCT. 22

A Toast to East County will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Cottonwood Golf Club in Rancho San Diego.  This event, hosted by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, will feature tastings from  local wineries, breweries, and locally grown foods all produced in East County.

. Also included in the program will be the Maness Vineyards “Trail Blazer Awards” recognizing outstanding visionaries in the vintner industry.



For tickets and details,  you can visit  www.eastcountychamber.org.

LAKESIDE HERITAGE DAY OCT. 22

Lakeside Historical Society will  host its annual Heritage Day Luncheon and Reunion on Saturday, October 22nd. The "meet and greet" will begin at 11 a.m. and a catered luncheon will be served at noon at the Olde Community Church (9906 Maine Ave.)in Lakeside. After the luncheon there will be a speaker on "Hatfield The Rainmaker" from the San Diego History Center. A 102 year old survivor of the flood will also be present for guests to to meet.



Reservations are required. For tickets ($15) you can call the Lakeside History Center at 561-1886.

OMA’S PUMPKIN PATCH: TUES.-SAT.  IN OCTOBER

Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside invites you to visit Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, open Tuesdays through Saturdays in October from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Patch includes hayrides, petting corral, play equipment, a cottonseed mountain for climbing and sliding down, a sand pile with toy trucks and tractors, pedal cart and tricycle race track, kid-powered games and a hay bale maze.

You can also choose pumpkins from small to over 100 pounds, check out a farm gift shop and the cow country café.   (Admission $10 per child includes all of the above plus pumpkin and water bottle, $5 per adult.)  For details and directions, you can visit www.OmasPumpkinPatch.com.

HAUNTFEST ON MAIN OCT. 21 IN EL CAJON



The fifth annual “HauntFest on Main” will take place on Main Street in downtown El Cajon on October 21st from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. Costume Contests will be held on the Main Street stage. There will also be carnival rides, crafts, games, a car show, candy challenge, Kids Zone with outdoor movies, face painting, a pumpkin patch, inflatables, rock wall and performances by local dance groups.



In addition, this Halloween-themed event features live music on 2 stages including “Out of the Ashes” with Linda Ray from 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and the “Amazing 80's All Stars” from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  For more information, you can check out www.Hauntfest.org

DOS PICOS HAUNTED TRAIL OCT. 22



The woods will come to life with creatures along the Dos Picos Park Haunted Trail in Ramona on Saturday, October 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join rangers and spirit guides in the day-use by the restroom for guided hikes lasting about 20 minutes and challenging terrain. Wear warm clothes or costumes, along with sturdy shoes.  Bring a flashlight and an adult, kids!  Rain will cancel this haunting event. Dos Picos County Park is located at 17953 Dos Picos Road in Ramona. (For details,  call the park at (760) 789-2220 or visit the Facebook event page.)



OAKOASIS HAUNTED TRAIL OCT. 22 IN LAKESDE



You’re invited for a dark and scary hike at Oakoasis County Preserve (12620 Wildcat Canyon Road) in Lakeside on Saturday, October 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.



A park staff Spirit Guide will lead you along the haunted trail, weather permitting.  Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers. (For more information, call the park at (619) 561-0580 or visit the Facebook event page.)

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS….

TRUNK OR TREAT OCT. 26 IN ELCAJON



The final Cajon Classic Cruise Car Show of the season is “Trunk or Treat” on Wednesday, October 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in downtown El Cajon.

You can  see classic vehicles decorated in a Halloween theme, many with candy for the children,. This special event will involve a full street closure of East Main Street between Magnolia Avenue and Claydelle Avenue.  In addition, you’ll find plenty of food, entertainment, and vendors. 

For details you can visit www.downtownelcajon.com.   

STONEY’S BOO BASH OCT. 27 AT SYCUAN



On Halloween weekend, Sycuan Golf Resort will host Stoney's Boo Bash is on Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit needy children in East County through Stoney’s Kids Legacy.



A costume is optional, but you can enjoy a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, live and silent auctions, dinner, a no-host bar and a costume contest.  It promises to be a spooktacular evening!



For tickets and reservations, you can visit http://www.stoneyskidslegacy.org/.



COLLEGE AREA BOO! PARADE OCT. 29



Celebrating its 12th year, the Boulevard BOO! Parade will be held on Saturday, October 29th starting at 10:00am. With over 70 entries of live entertainment marching on one mile of El Cajon Boulevard the parade will entertain you with spooky ghouls, goblins, ghosts and witches to fill you with the Halloween spirit.



Special guests from the past 12 years include local and national celebrities and political personalities, and a Grand Marshall to bring a smile to all who attend. Hosted by the College Area Business District, the Boulevard BOO! Parade attracts thousands of spectators. You can best view the BOO! Parade is best along the south side of El Cajon Boulevard between Rolando Boulevard and 60th Street.



For more information, visit http://collegeareabid.com/.



JULIAN MELODRAMA EACH WEEKEND IN OCTOBER



The Julian Triangle Club presents its 60th annual melodrama, “The Stalwart Surveyor” otherwise known as ”The Man Who Sank the Cuyamaca Float.” The melodrama will be presented Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sunday afternoons each weekend in October. 



This was the first Melodrama that was written specifically for and about the town of Julian 49 years ago. The features a heroine in distress with the handsome hero rescuing her from the evil villain in a tale about actual events surrounding a property dispute that took place in the Julian-Cuyamaca Lake area. That includes an evil-doer trying to acquire land through shady means and the surveyor who persevered to save the land for its rightful owners. Of course, there is romance brewing and tense moments when danger lurks and all seems lost.



For tickets and details, visit www.JulianMelodrama.com.



HALLOSCREAM SAPSTRAVAGANZA OCT. 29 IN SPRING VALLEY



Saps at Sea, a local Laurel and Hardy club, invites you to experience that “wonderful time of the fear”—the return of the ”Halloscream Sapstravaganza” on Oct. 29 at Williams Hall Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley.



The event includes showings of the spooky cartoon Pink Plasma, in which the Pink Panther arrives at Dracula's Castle for a good night’s sleep. Then in the film Habeas Corpus, Laurel and Hardy arrive at the home of a mad scientist who needs a body from the local Cemetery for his experiments. As a special added treat, Russ Peck will perform a live musical score with sound effects. There will also be a surprise guest comedian and a showing of The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case, plus more.



You can come in costume to win a prize and enjoy treats.  For more chilling details, you can visit http://www.SapsatSea.com.



SCOTTY’S SCARE TRAIL:  THURS-SUN.  NOW THROUGH OCT. 30



Scotty’s Scare Trail, one of East County’s most haunting attractions, will be open at the abandoned Marshal Scotty’s amusement park in El Cajon for a full month every Thursday through Sunday now through October 30th between 7 to 11 p.m.



The trail is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of former park employees.  This year, you can see the Bumper Car carnage, the Slaughter trailer and the haunted park offices, visit the frightening Ferris wheel and brace yourself as you walk through the remains of the death coaster. Organizers promise that Marshal Scary Scotty's Scare Trail is packed full of spine tingling, heart pounding effects that are so real they will keep you screaming for your life as you try to find your way out.



(The park is located at 14039 Ridge Hill Rd., El Cajon at the Lake Jennings exit, next to Canyon Speedway.  Tickets are $15.This attraction is not recommended for children under 10 or those subject to seizures. Pregnant women, infants and small children are not allowed.)



For more information, you can visit  http://www.scottysscaretrail.com/.



LA MESA HISTORICAL HOME TOUR NOV. 5

The La Mesa Historic Home Tour takes place on Saturday, November 5th from  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The La Mesa Historical Society, in association with MODERN SAN DIEGO and San Diego Home and Garden, invites you to a showcase of seven hidden jewels, nestled in the hillside of Mt. Helix. Because the tour visits private homes and the nature of the mid-century architecture, this tour is not ADA Compliant. Early reservations are recommended as this tour sells out. A shuttle service will be provided.

For tickets and details,  you can check out https://LaMesaHistory.com.

FALL PLANTSTRAVAGANZA NOV. 5

The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College  in Rancho San Diego hosts its annual Fall Plantstravaganza on Saturday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event aims to help you make the most of the fall planting season with a plentiful mix of gardening experts and plants offered by local growers and nurseries. Visitors can attend workshops on gardening-related topics led by experts, plus visit exhibits staffed by Garden docents and guest exhibitors to learn about water-saving gardening, edible gardening, compost-making, gardening for butterflies and more.



Local water agencies will share money saving rebate opportunities for residents replacing thirsty landscapes with those that save water and are beautiful too. Personalized attention can be found at the "Ask the Designers" area for in-depth landscape design advice. Plus the Garden's gift shop will be overflowing with unique nature-inspired treasures perfect for gift giving.

For more information visit  http://thegarden.org/

RAMONA ART AND WINE FESTIVAL NOV. 5

The 4th annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival will be held on November 5thfrom  11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year the event is at Begent Ranch in Ramona (18528 Highland Valley Road.)  Guests can savor vintages from local wineries, sample foods from local restaurants and caterers, shop for artwork from local artists, and bid on hand-painted wine barrels- all to benefit the Ramona HEART mural project. For tickets and details visit www.RamonaArtandWineFest.net

TROUT OPENER AT SANTEE LAKES NOV. 5

2,500 pounds of Rainbow Trout will be stocked for the trout opener at Santee Lakes on November 5th from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prizes for largest fish as well as tagged fish! A permit from the General Store is all you need, no state license required.  For directions to the lake,  visit www.SanteeLakes.com.

 

VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION NOV. 11

 

Honoring Our Veterans,  El Cajon’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held on November 11th from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Plaza (200 Civic Center Way).  The event includes music from students from  Valhalla High School and a color guard presentation by Marines from Miramar.

 

WIEGHORST MUSUEM HOLIDAY LUNCH NOV. 17

 

The Wieghorst  Museum invites you to welcome the holidays at its annual holiday luncheon on Thursday, November 17!  This festive event is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 131 Rea Avenue in downtown El Cajon.  You can enjoy a catered luncheon by Cupid’s Catering, an opportunity drawing, and view  paintings and sculptures by famous Western artist Olaf Wieghorst. 

For tickets ($40) you can visit www.wieghorstmuseum.org

70TH ANNUAL MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 20

On Sunday, November 20, the Mother Goose Parade will again march down Main Street for the 70th year.  Also known as the children’s parade, it begins at 1:00 p.m.  See over 100 colorful and exciting parade entries, including floats, marching bands, clowns, equestrians, local dignitaries and Santa Claus! 

The route is Downtown Main Street, from El Cajon Boulevard, eastbound, to First Street. This popular parade is one of the largest parades in Southern California and a wonderful way to officially kick off the holiday season.  You can also enjoy holiday lights on Main Street  after the parade.  To learn more you can visit www.mothergooseparade.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 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!

Audio: 

Destination East County 10-21-16 Audio

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