DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS MARCH 4-26

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

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

By Miriam Raftery

This week’s Destination East County includes a night hike with stargazing at the Santa Ysabel preserve, a Pirate’s Cove run/walk at Lake Cuyamaca, live music in La Mesa, and the Julian Doves and Desperados performing wild west skits in Julian.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, egg hunts, garden tours, a desert art show, a backroom beer pairing, a harmonica festival, a spring carnival, Snoopy the musical, and a hike to the Valley of the Moon..

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

THIS WEEK'S MAJOR EVENTS

PIRATE’S COVE 24/12 RUN/WALK AT LAKE CUYAMACA MARCH 4-5

Avast!  A run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along the shores of Lake Cuyamaca is set to begin on Friday, March 4th.  This unique event includes both a 12 hour and a 24 hour option, with the 24 hour portion kicking off at 8 a.m. and a 12-hour, all-night run/walk starting off at 8 p.m.  All entrants will receive a T-shirt, hat and other swag with a Pirate’s Cove logo.  Winners will receive pirate buckles, awards and you can also win a prize for the best pirate costume.  For more information, visithttp://www.sdpiratescove12-24.com/ .

STARGAZING AND NIGHT HIKE MARCH 5 AT SANTA YSABEL PRESERVE

Ranger Bill at the Santa Ysabel West Preserve invites you to join him for a night hike and amateur astronomy this Saturday, March 5th.  The planet Jupiter will be visible while its closest to the earth.  You can view it through the County Park Service’s new telescope or bring your own.  Also bring a flashlight, comfortable shoes and a jacket. The hike takes place from 5 to 9 p.m., departing from the Santa Ysabel Preserve at 23000 Highway 78 at Santa Ysabel.  For more information call the park at 760-765-4098.

LIVE MUSIC AT SAN PASQUAL TASTING ROOM IN LA MESA MARCH 5

The Jennings/Castel Duo will perform live music at the San Pasqual Winery tasting room (8354 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa on March 5th from 7 to 10 p.m. The team features Les  Jennings on saxophone and David Castel De Oro on keyboard performing instrumental versions of jazz and pop music favorites.  For more information you can visit www.SanPasqualWinery.com.

JULIAN DOVES AND DESPERADOS EACH SUNDAY

The Julian Doves and Desperados will be performing historic comedy and gunfight skits in downtown Julian each Sunday this month at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  The shows take place next to the Julian Market & Deli and the Julian Fitness Center.  Admission is free to the skits, which feature such colorful characters as Black Jack David, Si Si Chiquita, Captain Cooper, Sadie Cashman,  Doc Hopkins, Snake and Gypsy Davenporte.

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

SNOOPY! THE MUSICAL MARCH 11-20 IN SPRING VALLEY

Young Adult Theatre will present Snoopy! The Musical featuring all of the Peanuts characters including Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and that mischief-making beagle, Snoopy.  The shows will be performed at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley with the junior cast on March 11-13 and the senior cast March 17-20.  For tickets and details, you can visit www.YATSanDiego.org.

MACK AND MABEL AT LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE, LA MEAS MARCH 11-APRIL 10

Lamplighters Community Theatre will present the  Tony Award Nominee “Mack and Mabel” at the new Lamplighters Community Theatre (5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa) March 11 through April 10.

Step back into yesteryear in this saga of the silent film era "when movies were movies." Mack and Mabel deals with the complex relationship between legendary film director Mack Sennett, a temperamental workaholic and the adorable Mabel Normand, a waitress who became one of his biggest stars. The story is told in flashback style by Mack, reminiscing about the past, his triumphs, his love affair with Mabel and her rise to stardom before talkies made the silent film industry obsolete.

 For tickets visit http://www.LamplightersLaMesa.com.

HIKE TO THE VALLEY OF THE MOON MARCH 12

The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will be leading a trek to the Valley of the Moon which may include Smuggler’s Cave,  an old hideout of bandits and smugglers off I-8 East just past the San Diego/Imperial County line in a high desert area near the Mexican border. Possible side trips may also include Elliot Mine and Blue Angels Peak Monument. This 4-hour hike is rated hard, with a distance of 7 to 8.5 miles round trip. (No dogs, please.)   Meet at Jacumba Spa (44461 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba Hot Springs) at 8 a..m.  Bring a swimsuit and towel to soak in the mineral hot springs, courtesy of the spa.  Lunch and breakfast are available for purchase at the spa.

LARRY GATLIN AND THE GATLIN BROTHERS CONCERT AT SYCUAN MARCH 12

Country music greats Larry Gatlin and Gatlin Brothers will be  performing  in concert at Sycuan’s  Live and Up Close Theater on Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m.  Grammy award-winning Larry Gatlin has written hit songs for many famous musical stars including Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash. For tickets ($39-$49) visit www.Sycuan.com.  

EAST COUNTY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY HALF MARATHON MARCH 12

Registration is now open for East County’s St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, Green Mile and Tribes & Clans competition which will be held this year on Saturday, March 12, the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day. This event aims to involve the entire family in fun and fitness. The Green Mile Fun Run, an enjoyable, short distance, non-competitive event, is also available.



The event will also feature a finish line festival, health/wellness fair and craft beer invitational. Participants are encouraged to wear green and  vie for prizes for best costumes. Funds raised will benefit several East County charities. This event is hosted by the Run East County Foundation. To register, volunteer or get more information, you can visit  http://www.stpatricksdayhalf.com/;

CIRCLE OF ART SHOW MARCH 12-13 IN BORREGO SPRINGS

More than 60 artists will exhibit their works at the Circle of Art Show in Borrego Springs on Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13.  he artists work in a variety of media including: fine arts, oils and watercolors, photography, sculpture, pottery/ceramics, jewelry, fabric art and more. This two day show includes music, food and free admission.  The event will be held in Christmas Tree Circle in the heart of Borrego Springs. For more information visit  http://www.circle-of-art.org

BARON’S BACKROOM BEER PAIRING MARCH 16

You’re invited to dust off your favorite green outfit and join Barons Market in Alpine on Wednesday, March 16 for a St. Paddy’s Day themed beer and food tasting with San Diego brewer, Modern Times. 

Barons’ Backroom Beer Pairings transform loading docks and stock rooms into food and local brew speakeasies. Friends and neighbors will gather at their neighborhood store to sample local beers paired with savory appetizers made from the market’s selection of all-natural ingredients. 

For tickets and details, visit  http://www.baronsmarket.com

LAKE JENNINGS SPRING CARNIVAL MARCH 19

You’re invited to bring the kids out to Lake Jennings second annual Spring Carnival.  The festivities on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include an egg hunt, face painting, paddle boating, and a fully-stocked kids pond plus 2,000 pounds of trout.

To learn more or get directions, visit www.LakeJennings.org

BORREGO GARDEN TOUR MARCH 19

It’s Garden Tour time in the desert and the 18th Annual Borrego Springs Garden Tour invites visitors to experience private gardens and homes at their own pace on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Attractions include “Happy Days,” the former home of James and Helen Copley, at La Casa del Zorro Resort, and five other gardens, several with open homes, located in beautiful Borrego Springs during the height of the spring bloom. 

For ticket sales and information, visit the Borrego Desert Nature Center (652 Palm Canyon Drive) in Borrego Springs, or online at www.abdnha.org or call 760-767-3098.

 The Borrego Garden Tour is a fundraising event in support of the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, a 45-year-old nonprofit educational organization. 

NATIVE FOODS YUCCA COOKING CLASS AT BARONA CULTURAL MUSEUM

The Barona Cultural Museum is offering classes on Native American culture and crafts including a native foods yucca cooking class on March 12, and more.  All classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Barona Cultural Center & Museum is located on the Barona Indian Reservation in Lakeside.  For more information see: www.BaronaMuseum.org.

SPRING HARP FEST MARCH 26 IN LA MESA

You’re invited to the 16th annual Spring Harp Fest, a musical celebration on March 26th  from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.  The festival features top harmonica performers playing blues music and more as well as an unknown artists’ jam session.  The mission is to inspire appreciation for the harmonica in the next generation.  While admission is free, donations are welcome and are used to provide gifts of harmonicas to local school music programs. For a full line-up of talent slated to perform, you can check out www.SpringHarpFest.org.

SANTEE LAKES EGGSTRAVAGANZA MARCH 26

Santee Lakes invites you to bring the kids for its annual Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fun-filled event features continuous egg hunts, live entertainment, a petting zoo, craft booths and carnival rides, all hosted by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and the City of Santee.  Admission is free, though there are small fees for rides and parking.  You can learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com .

WATER-WISE GARDEN TOUR MARCH 26

The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its first annual Water-Wise Home Garden Tour on Saturday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The self-guided tour will highlight a variety of five beautiful gardens, located in El Cajon, La Mesa and Rancho San Diego, utilizing an array of color, variety, and low water usage. Learn about using native, succulents, cacti and Mediterranean plants and how you can design your yard for low water usage plants. The gardens emphasize plants from semi-arid regions of the world.

Succulent cuttings from many of the home tours will be on sale, as well as other garden and home items such as bird houses, pottery and garden jewelry, all handmade by local artisans. The Garden’s Director of Horticulture, will be available to talk about to re-design your landscape using low-water usage plants.  For tickets ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) visit www.TheGarden.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 3-4-16

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