East County News Service

March 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the 1000 Lights water lantern festival at Santee Lakes, Les Miserables at Steele Canyon High School, Latin vocal star Roberto Carlos at San Diego State University, and Off Broadway Live’s The Bridge in Santee.

Plus we’ll have a preview of April activities including Julian Gold Rush Days, Meet the Winemaker Weekend, the Catfish Opener at Santee Lakes, Lake Jennings Spring Carnival, a Star Party at Mission Trails, a Spring EggStravaganza, a warbirds event in El Cajon, Cajon Class Cruise celebrating its centennial season, live music at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room in La Mesa, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, Earth Day celebrations in La Mesa and Jacumba Hot Springs,a heavenly harp concert near Mission Trails, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade, and a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival at the Water Conservation Garden.

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: CC by SA

February 27, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Destination East County highlights March events including an Off Broadway Live production in Santee, a wildlife tracking walk at Mission Trails, a Borrego historical tour and living history presentation, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, and Quartet Luminosos at Mission Trails Church.

Plu, coming attractions include Arlo Guthrie on stage in Poway, a St. Patrick’s Day lucky adventure in Santa Ysabel, Sha Na Na at Sycuan, and the 1000 Lights Festival at Santee Lakes.

So scroll down for these events and many more.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2019 (La Mesa)--Join us at our East County Dining Club’s next delicious event: a seafood soiree in the cozy party room at Red Lobster (8703 Murray Dr., La Mesa) across from Grossmont Center on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP and prepay  to reserve space for this popular event.

You don't have to be a member to attend, though members receive special benefits. Proceeds benefit East County Media to support East County Magazine and East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

Your options include not only delicious wood-grilled lobster, shrimp and salmon, but also sizzling steak, Cajun chicken pasta, and options for luscious desserts.

We will also have plentiful prizes for our drawing including Red Lobster and other restaurant gift certificates, winery gift certificate, a wine rack, jewelry, novels, cookbooks, spa gift certificates, coffee, hand-woven scarf, and more.

East County News Service

January 16, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes an art show at the Wieghorst Museum, Hawk Watch in Ramona, a Lamplighters Theatre murder mystery play in La Mesa, bluegrass music at the Alpine library, and a beer pairing at Baron’s back room in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a powwow at Cuyamaca College, the rock band KISS in concert at San Diego State University, and an open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.

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

East County News Service

January 7, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Hawk Watch in Ramona, the American Crown Circus in Otay Ranch, an Agatha Christie whodunit presented by Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, desert hikes and bike rides, bluegrass jams, garden classes and more.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including bluegrass music at the Alpine Library, Songs for the New World at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley and the rock band KISS live at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University.

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

Click here for  free circus pass for children age 10 and under

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (Oray Ranch, Chula Vista) -- American Crown Circus is bringing its Circo Osorio to the Otay Ranch Town Center January 10^th through 14^th.  A family tradition for over 90 years, the show includes aerial acrobats, trapeze flyers, illusions, a wheel of death, daredevils, creative costumes and theatrical showmanship. 

You're invited to "runaway to the circus."  The Las Vegas-based show promises spellbinding performances as aerial artists swing, acrobats tumble and artists defy the laws of gravity just inches from the audience.

East County News Service

November 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Breakfast with Santa in Alpine, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra’s Christmas concert and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as Fleetwood Mac, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, a comedy appearance by Trevor Noah,and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

World War II paratrooper Tom Rice to serve as Grand Marshal

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2018 (El Cajon) – The Mother Goose Parade, El Cajon’s most cherished tradition for 72 years, will roll out on Sunday, November 18^th starting at 1 p.m. in downtown EL Cajon.   

The theme this year is “The Sky’s The Limit!”  The parade’s Grand Marshal Tom Rice, a 96 year-old World War II Veteran and a former Army paratrooper.  He flew over the skies of Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944, as part of the Army’s 101^st Airborne Division, called the “Screaming Eagles.” He's been awarded both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart!

In addition to elaborate floats, marching bands, giant inflatable balloon characters, clowns and equestrian entries, there’s also a star-studded cast of child and adult celebrities in the line-up.

Topping the list are Brandon Tyler Russell, best known for his role as Dr. Gregory Williams (aka Baby George/Baby O’Malley) on Grey’s Anatomy, Colton Shires from the daytime soap “Passions,” and two-time Emmy Award winner Vincent DePaul best known for his role as Father Leon on The Bay, British feature film star Scott Butler. (photos)

East County News Service

October 17, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, a Julian melodrama, Borrego Days Desert Festival, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, pumpkin patches filled with festive fall activities, a haunted amusement park, spooky camp overs, safe trick or treating options for children, and a haunted train ride.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life by Pickwick Players in Santee, the Mother Goose Parade in downtown El Cajon, and Tony Orlando in concert at Sycuan.

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

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Ramona Air Fair, a fishing class at Lake Morena, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, the Pumpkin Express in Campo, and a Haunted Amusement Park in Flinn Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and trick or treating at Viejas Outlets in Alpine.

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

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Hank Williams Jr. in concert at Viejas, the Julian Country Fair, a star party at Mission Trails, a piano and guitar concert at a winery in Ramona, East County Dining Cub at Fourpenny House in La Mesa,and Siren’s Crush performing in downtown El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, a masquerade ball in el Cajon, the Pumpkin Express at the Campo railway depot, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, and HauntFest on Main in El Cajon.

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

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, the Julian Music Festival, Santa Ysabel Mission’s Bicentennial Celebration, a Tom Petty Tribute in El Cajon, and the opening of raspberry picking season  at Julian Farm and Orchard.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian’s Old Fashioned Country Fair, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, a masquerade ball in El Cajon, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, our East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and the Borrego Days desert festival.

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

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes live music in downtown El Cajon, the Sycuan Pow-wow, star parties at Mission Trails, and the Ramona Grape Stomp.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including raspberry picking at Julian Farm and Orchard, Hank Williams Jr. at Viejas, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, Julian Music Festival, Santa Ysabel Mission’s Bicentennial Celebration, Oktoberfest in La Mesa, Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, a masquerade ball in El Cajon, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, our East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and the Borrego Days desert festival.

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

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Saturday, August 25th 

6-10 p.m. (VIP reception at 5:30 p.m.)

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego

It’s the party of a decade!

East County Magazine invites you to join us at East County Fest, our 10^th anniversary celebration!  Proceeds benefit our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and our award-winning community news reporting.

Festivities include: Foods, wines, cider and beer from top restaurants, wineries and breweries in East County, wonderful artists, artisans, authors, athletes, communitiy leaders, live music and entertainment, raffle, auction, stargazing, guest speakers, a look back at the last 10 years and forward to the future!

Tables and individual tickets are available, plus there’s a VIP reception.  Buy a table or a VIP reception ticket and get our free “Best of East County” cookbook on a souvenir thumb drive as thanks, plus preferred parking, auction preview, gourmet goodies and more.

Our VIP party is catered by Bekker's Catering, known for their fabulous food for weddings and other special occasions, and sponsored by California Coast Credit Union. Our thanks to Bekker's for generously donating most of the delicious foods for the VIP reception.

Individual tickets: $65 ($60 for sustaining donors and dining club members) or for $20 extra add VIP reception ($85 total).

Tables: $480 ($60 a person) or $680  ($80 a person) with the VIP reception. 

This event is for age 21 and up.

CLICK ARROWS BELOW TO VIEW AND CHOOSE ALL PRICE OPTIONS.

  For all the delicious details, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Three Dog Night in concert at Viejas, Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel dairy, night fishing at Santee Lakes, the Mighty Untouchables in Santee, the Ramona Country Fair and our own East County Fest at Mission Trails,

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions for September including the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp, and the Julian Music Festival.

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