By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a concert by the Kelly Rae Band in downtown El Cajon, the Sycuan Pow-wow, the first-ever Ramona Grape Stomp, an art show and reception with famed artist Jack Jordan, and a Twilight Tasting at Mission Trails.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Music Festival, a Latino Film Festival at Grossmont College, Lakeside River Park’s Once in a Blue Moon, the Lemon Grove Lion’s Club Salsa Fiesta, an International Day of Peace in La Mesa, Kidz Danz Kompany’s new show “Bamboozled,” Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside and the Borrego Days desert festival.

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

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Hispanic Heritage Month at the two East County colleges is celebrated from mid-September to Nov. 1 with free events that are open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2017 (Mount Laguna) – The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association invites you to take a walk back in history to meet and talk with Mount Laguna’s pioneers and residents from the 1880s.  The Living History Pageant on Mount Laguna, a free and family friendly event, will be held this Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. The walks are at 9:30 a.m.,  11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. both days.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Grape Stomp, Barona Powwow, Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue, and the Julian Arts Guild Fall Show.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Ramona Grape Stomp, Alley Cat Artwalk in El Cajon, the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Apple Festival, Apple Tea Time, the hot new dance show Bamboozled, a Twilight Tasting at the Trails, an International Day of Peace celebration in La Mesa, Julian Music Festival, a reception with artist Jack Jordan, Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon Gala, Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, and more.

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

East County News Service

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) -- Kiwanians in East County are hitting the trail come September – at least the trails at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Lake Murray, La Mesa and Fletcher Hills are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, September 9.

By Miriam Raftery

August 25, 2017 (Ramona) – Midway rides, crafts, critters, fair foods from funnel cakes to bacon-wrapped hotdogs,  kids activities and more are all part of the fun at the Ramona Country Fair, which continues tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  From 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday you can also enjoy the Ramona Bluegrass Festivals on the Main Stage, plus a Gymkhana equestrian show in the arena from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

We visited  today, arriving to the aroma of slow-cooked, barbecued meats and the sights of butter slathered corn on the cob.

East County News Service

August 26, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) - Leaders of the thriving Chaldean community in San Diego’s East County will be on hand for a special Chaldean Culture & Traditions celebration at Cuyamaca College on Monday, Aug. 28.       

East County News Service

August 23, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Wineworks invites you to their one-year anniversary bash on Saturday, August 26 from 12 noon to 10 p.m.  The festivities include music, games, prizes, special drinks and foods ranging from Greek to Maine Lobster.

East County News Service

August 20, 2017 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 47th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload. Fair hours are: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24; 5 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2017 (Julian) -- If you love apples, the Julian Apple Days Festival on September 23^rd and 24^th is the place to be.  Located at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive) in historic Julian, the event features Julian’s famous apple pie, gold panning demonstrations, a falconry performance, live music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and more.

East County News Service

August 14, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Celebrating its 44th year in 2017, the popular La Mesa Oktoberfest is going back to its roots to bring guests more entertainment, more vendors, more beer, and more "Prost!” (cheers!) than ever before, organizers have announced. Under the direction of the La Mesa Village Association, this year’s fest will showcase a revitalized and elevated experience for all ages on Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st. Attractions include many vendors featuring craftwork and knick-knacks, foods ranging from scrumptious sausages to food truck favorites, live entertainment, beer and now, cocktails. 

Wood-smoked BBQ fired up night in annual town tradition featuring slow-cooked beef, beer garden, live Western music, cash prize darwing, vendor booth, kids' activities and more

By Valerie Watts

August 9, 2017 (Descanso) --Ready for a nostalgic mountain community bash on Labor Day weekend?  Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso invites you to their 80th annual deep pit barbecue. 

This family-friendly event will be held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 3, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 9163 Riverside Drive.

The menu features their famous hand-wrapped deep pit barbecue beef, mountain ranch beans, handcrafted slaw and western rolls.  It doesn't stop there-- they also offer home made apple pie, "drinks galore" and more.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Dog Days of Summer at Ramona wineries, a Sip of Julian, Cajon Classic Cruises, plus outdoor concerts in Lemon Grove, Santee and El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the HeART of Mt. Helix, a Star Party in Lakeside, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, Laurel and Hardy comedy films with Thelma Todd n Spring Valley, a Fall Art Show in Julian, the Ramona Grape Stomp, and Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon.

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

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts, a murder mystery theatre in Julian and a 40^th birthday party for the city of Lemon Grove.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including concerts in the park, a Sip of Julian, the Heart of Mt. Helix, a star party campout at Oakoasis, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and Laurel and Hardy comedy clips in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Jungle Book Movie at La Mesita Park,  a Museum Roadshow at Cuyamaca College,  a family hike and falconry presentation at Santa Ysabel Preserve, plus community concerts in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and Santee.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Mariah Carey and Lionel Ritchie in concert at San Diego State, a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian, Pine Valley Days, the Pomerado Jazz Quintet at Mission Trails, a Sip of Julian, the HeART of Mt. Helix, the Ramona Country Fair,  and a Laurel and Hardy film presentation in Spring Valley.

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