DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS APRIL 30-MAY 29

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

April 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Cinco de Mayo festivities, an Arbor Day celebration, theatrical performances and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the opening of El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series, cowboy competitions at the Campo Roundup, Rihanna in concert at SDSU, and a Taste of Julian.

So stay tuned for all of these events and more.

THIS WEEK'S MAJOR EVENTS

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 30 IN EL CAJON

The City of El Cajon invites the public to an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30^th at 8 a.m. in Hillside Park (840 Buena Terrace). The City will be giving away free tree seedlings and light refreshments as they commemorate the city’s 18^th year of receiving the Tree City USA award.

THE WAITS PERFORM APRIL 30 IN LA MESA

The Waits, an acoustic duo on guitar and mandolin, will be performing May 30^th at 7 p.m. in San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa Village Wine Bar & Gallery (8364 La Mesa Blvd.)   Singing and playing in harmony, the pair will perform a blend of folk, bluegrass, country, classic rock and more. For details visit www.SanPasqualWinery.com.

CASA DE PICO’S CINCO DE MAYO MAY 5-7 I N LA MESA

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla, in which Mexican troops prevailed over French forces on May 5, 1862. Mexico’s soldiers, greatly outnumbered, defeated the army that was thought to be the most powerful in the world. Though it did not stop the French from taking control of Mexico, the victory boosted the nation’s morale and determination to fight the invasion

Diane Powers started Old Town’s first Cinco de Mayo celebration back in 1983.  Today she continues that celebratory tradition at her Casa de Pico restaurant, now located in La Mesa at Grossmont Center.  May 5^th through 7^th, with lively revelries, Folkloric dancers, strolling Mariachis, food and drink specials. 

CINCO DE MAYO CLASSIC CRUISE MAY 4 IN EL CAJON

A Cinco de Mayo classic cruise night will be held May 4^th in downtown El Cajon, featuring music by Flamenco with Roots and classic cars including low riders from 5 to 8 p.m. For details you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS MAY 4-14

Young Actors Theatre in Spring Valley will present “Once Upon a Mattress” opening May 4 and running through May 14.  This musical production is based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale, “The Princess and the Pea.”  For tickets and details, visit www.yatsandiego.org.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS….

DINNER AND A CONCERT IN EL CAJON MAY 6

“Dinner & a Concert” Opening Night at the Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon kicks off Friday, May 6th with Clay Colton playing country rock. You can enjoy music and dancing every Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. from May 6 through October 7, bring a picnic or have dinner at one of the many restaurants in downtown El Cajon. (The Promenade is located at 201 E. Main Street.) For a complete line-up of concerts, you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

CAMPO ROUNDUP MAY 7

Relive the Wild West at the 10th annual Campo Roundup on Saturday, May 7th at the Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility (799 Forrest Gate Road in Campo).  Gates open at 7 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m.  Witness how cowboys ride, rope and brand cattle.  Activities also include a gymkhana competition, western skits and a gunfighting reenactment of the famed Campo shootout, mutton busting, kids' games, hayrides, a Miss Roundup competition and raffle. Period costumes are welcome!  (Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, free for kids under 6.) For more information you can visit  CampoCLEEF.org/roundup.

COYOTE MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 7 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

The Coyote Music Festival Returns to Cuyamaca College on Saturday, May 7^th starting at 12 noon at Cuyamaca College (900 Rancho San Diego Parkway) on the Grand Lawn. , Now in its eighth year, the entirely student-run festival provides the community with an afternoon of live, outdoor music. The festival also culminates a semester worth of work for students studying music, technology, recording, and business. For details on this event (which is free to the public), visit www.cuyamaca.edu.

JACUMBA COMMUNITY YARD SALE MAY 7

Quirky and fun, Jacumba Hot Springs’ community-wide yard sale takes place on Saturday, May 7^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old Highway 80 and Railroad Station.

Besides shopping for yard sale finds and perusing hand-made arts and crafts item, you can also take a ”ride” in a flying saucer for a unique photo opportunity or tour the Chinese Castle, where rumors swirl about its infamous past. Was the castle a gift from a sea captain to his bride? Did a murder once occur there?  Is there a smuggler’s tunnel to Mexico?  You can find out fact vs. fiction on the tour on May 7th.

RIHANNA IN CONCERT AT SDSU MAY 9

Rihanna is one of the best-selling artists of all time—and she’ll be performing live in concert at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on May 9^th. Rihanna is the youngest solo artist to earn 14 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.  She’s won 8 Grammy Awards, 8 American Music Awards, 23 Billboard Music Awards and received the inaugural Icon Award at the American Music Awards in 2013.  For tickets and details you can visit the Viejas Arena website (https://as.sdsu.edu/viejas_arena/).

TASTE OF JULIAN MAY 9

The 8^th annual Taste of Julian, a rural dining adventure, will be held on May 9^th from 1 to 5 p.m.  This self-guided culinary tour includes one-of-a-kind restaurants, wineries, and breweries. For more information visit www.JulianCa.com (For a list of participating restaurants and tickets, visit the event website at http://julianca.com/to-see-do/special-events/taste-of-julian/).

REVITALIZATION PARTY FOR ALPINE COMMUNITY CENTER MAY 13

You’re invited to a party to benefit the Alpine Community Center on Friday, May 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.  This event includes a rib eye steak dinner, art show, live jazz, blues and swing music by Chet and the Committee, hosted by the Alpine Community Center and cosponsored by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce.  For tickets ($50 for dinner, includes 2 drink tickets) you can RSVP to 619-445-7330.

LAUREL AND HARDY WACKY WESTERN NIGHT MAY 14 IN SPRING VALLEY

The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th at Trinity Church in Spring Valley (Williams Hall, 3902 Kenwood Drive. There is a $6 donation per person.) Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  The program includes such cinematic gems as "A Car Punching Cartoon," "West of Hot Dog," "The Last Chance Saloon," "Horse Collars" and "Way Out West."  You can also savor barbecue beans and cornbread during intermission.

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

RAMONA RODEO, PARADE AND WESTERN DANCING MAY 19-22

The Ramona Rodeo takes play May 19-22, along with other activities including a parade down Main Street on the 21^st and dancing to the country band Patrick Howard Trampus on the 20^th and 21^st after the rodeo.  There’s also a free slack rodeo performance on the 19^th, as well as a kids day on the 22^nd featuring the youngest cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep in the mutton bustin’ competition.

 Adult rodeo events include bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, a tie-down competition, steer wrestling and more. Winners may advance to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national rodeo championship.

For tickets and details, you can visit www.RamonaRodeo.net.

GREGORY PAGE ONE MAN SHOW MAY 29 AT MISSION TRAILS

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation welcomes acclaimed musician Gregory Page performing his One Man Show  on Sunday, May 29, 2016: 3 to 4 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park’s Visitor Center (1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego).

You’re invited to “rewind” to a bygone era with an afternoon of endearing, enduring, enchanting and entertaining music by the one and only Mr. Gregory Page.  Gregory Page is a London-born "croonadour" –that’s crooner+troubadour--and recording artist. The Gregory Page Songbook has been featured in film, on television, the BBC and NPR’s Prairie Home Companion. He is an international touring artist, and has performed his One Man Show in Europe to both critical and popular acclaim.  For more information visit www.MTRP.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.