East County News Service

September 10, 2015 (La Mesa)—Oktoberfest has been a tradition in La Mesa’s downtown village since 1942, drawing over 100,000 attendees in recent years.  This year, the La Mesa Village Merchants Association aims to host the Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3 from 12 noon to 10 p.m.

After meeting its deadline for paying off past debt to the city and obtaining a permit, organizers plan to bring the popular festival goes back to its roots with a focus on German heritage. 

The Bavarian Beergarden Band, Alpine Gemutlichkeit Dancers, and the El Cajon German Band highlight the entertainment listed on the Merchants' website.  There will be German food including bratwurst and real German beer served up at two beer gardens. Beer lovers can choose from Oktoberfest Marzan, Hef, Munich Lager and kegs of Salvator. There will also be vendors.

Below is the lineup of entertainment:

East County News Service

September 26, 2015 (Palomar) – Palomar Mountain State Park invites the public to its 2015 Palomar Apple Festival on Sunday, October 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This free festival includes delicious apple goodies, spinning and weaving demonstration, arts and crafts,  games and activities, a pie eating contest,plus  live folk music and square dancers  (join in – all are welcome!).

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

East County News Service

September 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County features an alpaca farm tour in Descanso, a hike along the Sky Island Trail in Julian, music from an Afro-Cuban ensemble to a dual concert band performance, and Julian’s Apple Days festival.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa, Fall Fest at Grossmont Center, and a Fair Trade Faire.

So click "read more" and scroll down for all of these events and much, much more!

East County News Service

September 20, 2015 (Descanso)—Three local  alpaca farmers are teaming up to offer an open house Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Descanso as part of National Alpaca Farm Days.

Visitors are invited to “feel the fleece” as well as tour the Atlas Alpacas Farm (9718 River Drive in Descanso), experience live demonstrations, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, and shop for alpaca products.

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

September 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County features the Chaldean American Festival in El Cajon, a Music Festival with Apple Pie in Julian, a live musical theatre production and Supervisor Jacobs with an event for seniors. 

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian Apple Days,   Oktoberfest El Cajon hosted by the German American Society followed by a new event, Fallfest in La Mesa and a water issues forum in La Mesa.

So scroll down tuned for all of these events and much, much more.

East County News Service

September 12, 2015 (El Cajon) -- The city of El Cajon is home to more than 40,000 Chaldeans, one of the largest Chaldean enclaves in the United States.  Chaldeans are an integral part of the local business community as well as the community at large, and would like to invite neighbors to sample the culture at the upcoming 5^th Annual Chaldean American Festival on September 19 and 20. The City of El Cajon has proclaimed September Chaldean American Month, and invites the whole community to attend the Chaldean American Festival. The family event will feature authentic homemade Chaldean faire, traditional music and dancing, games for children, as well as local vendors for all to enjoy.

By Devoreo Bell

September 12, 2015 (Julian)--If you are looking to have a good time and share your love of music with others, then come to Julian and celebrate the arrival of fall at the 46th Julian Music Festival.

September 11, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Latino Film Festival and a Cuyamaca College Latino Heritage Celebration highlight an array of special events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month at the two East County colleges beginning Sept. 15.

All of the events are free and open to the public.

By Elizabeth Alper

September 9, 2015 (Julian) – Like apples?  Julian is hosting its Apple Days Festival as part of its Apple Days Celebration.  The festival will span two days, September 26 and 27, and will be held at the Menghini Winery (http://www.menghiniwinery.com/).

New public discussion series considers water, public safety, downtown redevelopment and urban issues central to city’s future ; first meeting Sept. 23

September 8, 2015 (La Mesa – La Mesa Conversations, a new civic group organized as a volunteer committee, announced a new series of public programs and social events today. The Committee’s objective is to broaden, enrich and invigorate La Mesa’s civic dialogue on issues of enduring importance to residents citywide.

Update: A preview video of Hairspray is now available. Click image below to view.

A second video preview can also be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84cAj6m5nMU&feature=youtu.be.

September 6, 2015 (San Diego)--Visionary Community Theatre and Visionary Youth Theatre of east San Diego present Hairspray at the Performing Arts Center at Point Loma High School (2335 Chatsworth Blvd, San Diego, 92106) on September 10-12 & 17-19 at 7 p.m. Enjoy as the diverse and talented Visionary cast and crew welcome you to the 60’s!

It’s 1962 - the ‘50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show” and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her ‘do?

East County News Service

September 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – The @Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa invites you to a wine tasting class featuring wines from Argentina and Chile, each paired with delicious tapas.  New World meets Old World at this event on September 13^th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

August 25, 2015 (Descanso)--Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso will hold its 78th Annual Deep Pit Barbecue on Sunday, September 6^th during the Labor Day weekend.

August 31, 2015 (El Cajon)--Don your Hawaiian shirt, sarong or other festive attire and join us this Saturday, September 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at East County Magazine's Tropical Party as we celebrate summer's end and watch the sunset atop the roof of our studio building in El Cajon (1625 East Main St., just off the Greenfield exit from I-8)   Savor the flavors of the tropics:

 Tropical feast  including coconut curry &  tropical chicken from Pick Up Stix, Pina Berry Colada & Champagne Mango Cakes from Grove Pastry Shop, island-fresh pineapple from Baron’s Market.

Pacific Islanders Beer and Wine-tasting with San Pasqual Winery (award-winning wines including passionfruit!)

Live entertainment:  Reggae music by Ed Barrena & musical theater by Visionary Dance Theatre. 

Prize drawings & silent auction: Padres tickets, Italian dinner lover's basket, wine lover's basket with premium vintages, "Hairspray" musical theater tickets, pottery by Get Centered Clay, Kwai Sun studio passes (yoga, pilates, karate, fitness and more), dance lessons, beach-goers basket, Water Conservation Garden memberships, Santee Lakes fishing and pedal boat passes, Urban Jungle passes, Hawaiian wear, hand-crafted treasure chest, & more!   SPACE LIMITED: EARLY RSVP STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

East County News Service

August 31, 2015 (El Cajon)—The East County Rose Society invites rose aficionados to a meeting on Sunday, September 6 at 2 p.m. at Kniffings Nursery (14940 Oak Creek Road in El Cajon).