East County News Service

November 24, 2024 (Crest, CA) – The reindeer are taking a day off on Sunday, December 8, when Santa will arrive at the Crest Christmas Craft Faire aboard a fire truck!

Santa arrives at 4 p.m. and will visit with children until 6 p.m.  The Craft Faire begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. with unique crafts, vendors, raffle baskets, musical entertainment, food, and photo opportunities.

The event will be held at the Crest Clubhouse, 113 North Park Drive, in the Crest community of El Cajon.

East County News Service

November 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove invites you to the city’s annual community bonfire on Friday, December 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park, 3200 Main St. in Lemon Grove.

Enjoy visits with Santa, music with a live band, a game truck, crafts, inflatables, free cookies, hot chocolate and popcorn, more foods for purchase, welcoming remarks from the mayor, an ugly sweater contest and more.

Source:  Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

November 5, 2024 (San Diego) - It's that time of year again:  time to find the perfect gift for that special someone.  You can find it at the Holiday Marketplace at Mission Trails on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost reduced due to a generous sponsor!

East County Magazine invites you to our Roaring '20s Jazz Age Party!

Sunday, November 17  6 p.m.

at Wine Works (8167 Center St., La Mesa, CA 91941)

Benefits East County Media, 501c3 nonprofit supporting East County Magazine local news reporting and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

• Celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime. speakeasies and the Jazz Age
• Savor an elegant dinner and delicious desserts from Cupid’s Catering including charcuterie/appetizers(meats, fruits, cheeses), tri-tip, herbed chicken, portabello mushrooms (on request), ambrosia, salad, cheesecake, lemon marscapone cake
• Award-winning wines and sparkling wines available from San Pasqual Winery, the winemakers who led La Mesa to roll back its Prohibition-era ban on alcohol production
• Live jazz by the Joseph Luna duo (piano, sax, and vocal)
• Silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes
• Hear about local history during Prohibition from La Mesa Historical Society
• Dress in your best ‘20s attire or cocktail wear and party the night away
•  

Cost:  $50

Prepayment is REQUIRED for this special event.  To reserve space:

October 12, 2024 (Santee) -- Looking for a totally tubular time? The Santee Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser will be far out dude! Fast Times, the ultimate 80’s experience band, will be headlining this year’s Brews & Bites on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Dr., Santee). You may want to embrace the gnarly tunes with a totally bodacious outfit* as you sip and snack the night away with foods and brews from an array of local vendors.

*Rad attire not required.

Reserve space now at early bird rates—seating is limited!

You’re invited to a Spanish paella feast and fundraiser on Sunday evening, October 20 catered by Paella Valenciana at a private Mt. Helix home to benefit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

 RSVP by Oct. 5 for early bird rates for this fun and festive event, which also features live Spanish guitar music by the Malamaña duet, a raffle with prizes galore, Spanish tapas, and three varieites of paella, plus and a historical reenactment by Early California Speaks. 

Below are the delicious details:

By Lindsay Elias

September 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- On Saturday, November 2, the La Mesa History Center will hold its 18th annual Home Tour: "Peaks of Preservation". The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The tour will showcase homes in Grossmont/ Mt Helix.

During the pre-sale, La Mesa History Center members can purchase tickets for $30, and non-members can buy them for $40. The deadline to purchase pre-sale tickets is October 30th. On the day of the event, tickets will be $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

East County News Service

September 8 ,2024 (La Mesa)-- From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, the quaint streets of La Mesa Village will transform into the largest German celebration in San Diego. This free event takes place Friday, October 4, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

This beloved Bavarian-style  festival has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands, drawing revelers for three days of vibrant live music, authentic German cuisine, and a plethora of German and Craft beers. This year, La Mesa Oktoberfest is set to exceed all expectations, capturing the spirit of Munich with unmatched enthusiasm and charm. From the traditional Bavarian decor and lively music to the delicious food and drinks, attendees can expect an unparalleled experience that honors the festival's rich heritage.

East County News Service

September 8 ,2024 (La Mesa)-- From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, the quaint streets of La Mesa Village will transform into the largest German celebration in San Diego. This free event takes place Friday, October 4, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

This beloved Bavarian-style  festival has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands, drawing revelers for three days of vibrant live music, authentic German cuisine, and a plethora of German and Craft beers. This year, La Mesa Oktoberfest is set to exceed all expectations, capturing the spirit of Munich with unmatched enthusiasm and charm. From the traditional Bavarian decor and lively music to the delicious food and drinks, attendees can expect an unparalleled experience that honors the festival's rich heritage

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (Julian) – Doff your shoes and toast to a fall tradition at the 27^th annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa.  This juicy event will be held on Saturday, September 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at  Menghini Winery,1150Julian Orchards Drive in Julian.

In addition to stomping grapes in the Italian old world tradition, you can savor winetasting from several local wineries, enjoy beer and hard cider tastings, live music, food vendors, shop for merchandise, play corn hole, let the kids play games and jump in a bounce house, and take home a souvenir wine glass. Inspired by the famous “I Love Lucy” grape-stomping episode, there wll also be a Lucy look alike contest with a $100 prize.

East County News Service

August 28, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) --The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will return with both its annual 35th Sycuan Powwow Sept. 6-8 and 3rd Fashion Show themed “The Fire Within” on Sept. 5. The theme will allow Native American artists to illuminate the beauty, talent and resilience of Native American culture, declaring “we are still here.”

The fashion show’s theme, inspired by the Kumeyaay greeting "may the fire (your spirit) burn bright within you," reflects the enduring spirit of indigenous people. The show will also feature 11 designers from Turtle Island, with their designs available for purchase.

The three-day powwow will showcase champion powwow dancers from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We will celebrate the beautiful dance style of indigenous people representing their tribes. Chairman Cody Martinez will also be conducting an invocation before each grand entry. Arts and craft vendors will be selling their handmade authentic jewelry, pottery, basketry and paintings, and of course, there will be lots of food vendors.

East County News Service

August 8,2024 (Mount Laguna)—The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association will present its 35^th annual Living History Presentation at Mount Laguna’s Red-Tailed Roost, located at 10401 Sunrise High near mile marker 22.5.  

The program will be held Saturday, August 31 (9 a.m.to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and again on Sunday, September 1 (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)