DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS MAY 11 - JUNE 18

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mother’s Day brunch, tea and dinners as well as a butterfly festival, classic car events, the Manzanita Rendezvous with mountain men and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, America on Main Street, Explore Mission Trails Day, Fly Day at Gillespie Field, Night Fishing at Santee Lakes, the launch of Santee’s Summer Concert series, and a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack.

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

THIS WEEK

MOTHER’S DAY TEAS MAY 11-15 IN JULIAN

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts will host Mother’s Day teas from Thursday, May 11^th through Monday, May 15^th.  These very special teas include finger sandwiches and savories, scone and tea breads with lemon curd, jam and whipped cream and dessert, Special menus are available by advance requests for children under 12, vegans or gluten-free options.

There are several serving times to choose from, and reservations are commended. For information or reservations, visit www.JulianTea.com.

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH MAY 14 AT PINE HILLS LODGE

On Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 14^th, Pine Hills Lodge near Julian will serve a special Mother’s Day champagne brunch in the dining room from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Talented guitarist Patrick Berrogain will perform Gypsy jazz and Latin Jazz on the lodge’s cedar deck. 

Pine Hills Lodge is the historic log home once owned by famous boxer Jack Dempsey.  

(Cost: $15.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 10 and under, high chair $5)

For details, visit www.PineHillsLodge.com. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (760)765-1100.

MOTHER’S DAY MENU MAY 14 AT FARMER’S TABLE IN LA MESA

Farmer’s Table in La Mesa will be serving up a special 3-course prix fixe menu on Mother’s Day, May 14^th.  ($38 per person; wine pairing also available for $15.)

The feast begins with choice of starters followed by entrée options that include spiny lobster ravioli, duck gnocchi, short rib, ratatouille risotto, or a fish special cooked in chardonnay.  Delectable dessert choices are pannacotta, crème brulee or molten chocolate cake.

For reservations and full menu details, visit www.FarmersTableLaMesa.com.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL MAY 13

The El Cajon Library (201 E. Douglas Ave.) will host its first Monarch Butterfly Festival, in partnership with San Diego Master Gardeners and the Water Conservation Garden organization, on Saturday, May 13^th from 1 to 4 p.m.   

The event will feature crafts for kids; free native milkweed seeds; and informational tables including the Water Conservation Garden and Resource Conservation District.  There will also be a presentation on how to create a butterfly garden, live monarch caterpillars, and a program by Ms. Smarty Plants. 

COOL CAR CLASSIC MAY 13

Nearly 70 classic vehicles and muscle cars will be on display during the “Cool Car Classic” on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heartland YouthBuild campus, located at 5280 Orange Avenue in City Heights.   

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Heartland YouthBuild, which provides immediate part-time jobs for high school drop-outs in low-income communities while helping them earn their high school diplomas and receive free hands-on training in green building and construction, building affordable homes. 

For more information, you can visit www.HeartlandYouthbuild.org.

MANZANITA RENDEVOUS MAY 12-14 and MAY 19-20 at LAKE MORENA

You’re invited to step back in time at the 24th Annual Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous at the Northcote Ranch just outside of Lake Morena Village.  The Rendezvous will be held May 12-14 and May 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meet colorful characters from the French and Indian War, though to the North American Fur Trade era, spanning the 1750 to 1840 time period. See mountain men and women in period attire living in tipis and tent encampments.  Watch demonstrations of everyday skills of the era, such as starting a fire with flint and steel, learn how to load and shoot a flintlock rifle, throw a knife or tomahawk, and shoot a primitive longbow.  There will also be a blacksmith shop and period music under the shady oaks

The purpose of a rendezvous was to provide a meeting place where trappers, mountain men and Indians would come down from the mountains to sell their furs and stock up on supplies.  Trader’s Row will have goods a modern-day mountain man reenactor needs, from camping gear to clothing to tomahawks and black powder shooting supplies.

Feel free to bring a picnic lunch or eat at one of the camp’s eateries.  (Admission is $5 a person, free for military with ID and children ages 10 and under.)

For details and directions, you can go to www.manzanitarendezvous.com.

RETURN TO THE ‘50s MAY 17 IN EL CAJON

Cajon Classic Cruises will feature a “return to the ‘50s” theme on Wednesday, May 17^th from 5 to 8 p.m.  For more information on this event and others all summer long, you can visit www.DowntownElCajon.com.

NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS…

JULIAN FIDDLE AND PICKIN’ CONTEST MAY 20

Each year, the town of Julian comes alive with the sounds of music—fiddle music, along with banjos, guitars, mandolins and mountain dulcimers at the annual Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest. 

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, May 20^th at the Julian Town Hall, plus on Friday night, May 19^th, there will be a Texas-style fiddle workshop will be led by two-time national grand fiddle champion Matthew Hartz.  For details and a schedule, visit www.SanDiegoFiddler.org.

AMERICA ON MAIN STREET MAY 20

America on Main Street, a family fun celebration honoring the American spirit, will be held in downtown El Cajon on May 20th from noon to 8 p.m. The event includes four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris Wheel, petting zoo, hay ride, pony rides, kids’ games and crafts.

This year’s entertainment reflects a myriad of cultures in our region. Performers include Chase Avenue Folklorico dancers, Suzuki Violins, Flying Hills Fame, USA Taekwondo Center, Great Musical Sounds, CYT, Latin Percussion, and Wasan Jarbo Folkloric Dance. 

For full details, you can visit AmericaOnMainStreet.org.

EXPLORE MISSION TRAILS DAY MAY 21

On May 21^st, you’re invited to Explore Mission Trails Day at Mission Trails Regional Park.  This all-day event includes special nature hikes, bird walks, a moonlight walk and a start party. 

You can also meet birds of prey, visit educational exhibits, enjoy flute music, crafts, face painting, pony rides for children, a climbing wall, and a mini mountain bike track.  For a full schedule of events, visit MTRP.org.

BAJA BLUES BOYS IN WYNOLA MAY 26

The Baja Blues Boys, known for their original acoustic and electric blues plus roots, Americana and party music, will be performing at the Wynola Pizza Express just outside of Julian on Friday, May 26^th from 6 to 9 p.m.  You can find details and directions at www.WynolaPizzaExpress.com or get a list of all local appearances by this talented group at www.BajaBluesBoys.com.

FLY DAYS JUNE 2 AT GILLESPIE FIELD

Air Group One and Gillespie Field Café invite you to Fly Days at Gillespie Field on June 2^nd from 4 to 8 p.m., when the he Gillespie Field Cafe comes alive with live music, hot rod cars, antique airplanes and World War II aircraft.  The Gillespie Café is located at 1921 North Marshall Avenue in El Cajon.  For more information, you can visit www.GillespieCafe.com.

FIDO FEST JUNE 10 IN SANTEE

The City of Santee will be hosting Fido Fest on June 10^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with Camp Bowwow.  Fido Fest will be held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Dr.). 

You can adopt a dog from any of the dozens of rescue groups on hand, win giveaways, enjoy live entertainment, get discounts on vaccinations, microchipping and dog licenses, and bid on silent auction prizes to benefit Dogs on Deployment, which helps deployed military members find volunteers to board their pets.

(Details: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=8&recordid=3620 )

LAVENDER DAYS AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS JUNE 10

Summers Past Farms invites you to Lavender Day, along with an Antique and Craft Fair, on Saturday June 10^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Over 40 crafts people will participate, offering up crafts, collectibles, antiques and a garden sale on Summers Past’s spacious lawn.

You can fill your baskets with many types of lavender plants, as well as lavender soaps, candles and garden salve, plus enjoy live music by Jim Earp. Guests are encouraged to wear lavender and savor the scents of the south of France during your day at the farm.

Summers Past Farms is located in Flinn Springs, just east of El Cajon. For directions and details, visit www.SummersPastFarms.com.

NIGHT FISHING AT SANTEE LAKES JUNE 15

You’re invited to come drop a line during night fishing at Santee Lakes on Thursday, June 15^th from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Bring a lantern!  For details visit www.SanteeLakes.com.

SANTEE SUMMER CONCERTS:  THE CATILLACS JUNE 15

Santee kicks off its summer concert series with the Catillacs on June 15^th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Center Park East (550 Park Center Dr.).  This event also features a classic car show, kids’ activities and picnic style seating, as well as food trucks.

(Details: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=8&recordid=3646)

FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH WITH COWBOY JACK JUNE 18 AT PINE HILLS LODGE

Pine Hills Lodge will host a Father’s Day Brunch on Sunday, June 18^th.  Cowboy Jack will sing traditional country music from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and more, also playing acoustic guitar and harmonica. Cowboy Jack Johnson is the lead singer from the Band in Black and the singing cowboy at Rawhide Ranch. 

For reservations and details, visit www.PineHillsLodge.com.

That’s all for this week!

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!