Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Galloping into the Year of the Fire Horse in East County

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The thunder of hooves isn’t just coming from local farms and ranches this week; it’s the sound of the Year of the Fire Horse. Lunar New Year festivities — some of which will last all year long — are trotting through the region. The 2026 celebrations carry a

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY

January

Walk to the top of Mt. Helix – Click here

Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands, Ramona – Click here

Martin Luther King Choir concerts (locations vary) – Click here

Boardwalk Craft Market, Escondido – Click here

Outdoor ice skating at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here

February

Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands – Click here

Cuyamaca College Pow-wow – Click here

Grossmont College Pow-wow – Click here

Chocolate Lovers Festival, Escondido – Click here

Black History Month events at SDSU – Click here

Via Valentino Night, Bernardo Winery – Click here

Heritage Day Parade, San Diego State University

Black History Month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, El Cajon – Click here

March

Lilac Festival, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, Julian – Click here

Circle of Art Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here

Jamul Kiwanis Hot Rod and Chili Cookoff Festival – Click here

Desert Birding Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here

Bunny Train, Pacific Railway Museum, Campo – Click here

Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes (Easter weekend, March or April) – Click here

April

Western Days and Parade, Lakeside – Click here

Lakeside Rodeo, Lakeside – Click here

Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian – Click here

Ramona Music Festival – Click here

Art and Garden Tour Mt. Helix – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Earth Day on Mt. Helix – Click here

Earth Day at the Desert View Tower at Jacumba Hot Springs – Click here

Mariachi Festival in Escondido – Click here

Sweet Pea Days, Summers Past Farms – Click here

Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, Rancho San Diego – Click here

Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Competition – Click here

Renaissance Faire, Escondido – Click here

Ramona Open Studios Tour – Click here

May

America on Main Street, El Cajon – Click here

Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival – Click here

Ramona Rodeo – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Vintage Alpine, Flinn Springs – Click here

Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Alpine – Click here

Lake Jennings Spring Carnival – Click here

Manzanita Rendezvous, Lake Morena – Click here

Taste of Julian – Click here

Campo Day – Click here

Campo/Lake Morena Roundup – Click here

SanTree Earth Day Fair – Click here

Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here

Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here

Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here

Escondido Street Festival – Click here

Spring Renaissance Faire Escondido – Click here

June

Flag Day Parade, La Mesa – Click here

Lavender Day, Antique & Crafts Fair – Click here

Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour, Santa Ysabel – Click here

Jamul Wine Festival – Click here

Juneteenth celebration, La Mesa – Click here

Julian Dance and Backcountry Barbecue – Click here

San Diego River Run, Lakeside – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Santee Summer Concert Series – Click here

Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here

Sundays at Six Concerts, La Mesa – Click here

Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here

Lemon Grove concerts in Berry Park – Click here

Back the the 50s Classic Car Show, La Mesa – Click here

Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here

Viejas Movies in the Park – Click here

In-Ko-Pah Music Festival – Click here

Passport Through Time – Click here

La Mesa movies in the park – Click here

Summer concerts on Mt. Helix – Click here

Outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here

OBSERVATORY DONATED TO JULIAN HIGH:; DEDICATION AUG. 18 , JULIAN STARFEST AUG. 20-23

Printer-friendly version  August 7, 2009 (Julian, CA)–(Julian, CA) “Eagle Observatory” will be dedicated at Julian High School at 5 p.m. on August 18, 2009. The astronomical observatory, funded through donations and built by volunteers, will be officially “opened” for observing and “first light”. Named “Eagle” for Julian High School’s mascot, the donated observatory is the result of tremendous collaboration that

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IT’S IN THE HOLE! GOLF TOURNAMENT TEES OFF OCT. 16 AT COTTONWOOD

Printer-friendly version August 2, 2009 (El Cajon) –Looking for some fun in the sun?  Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites community members to take their best shots with local business members in the “It’s in the Hole Golf Tourmanent” Friday October 16.  The event will be held at the brand new Lakes Course at Cottonwood Golf Course in Rancho San Diego.

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YEE-HA! RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR JULY 30-AUG. 2

Printer-friendly version July 30, 2009 (Ramona) — From watermelon-eating contests to waterfights, Ramona’s down-home country fair offers family fun and crowd-pleasing favorites including carnival rides, live music, food, livestock auctions, junior livestock exhibitions, many vendors and more.     Ramona’s 39th annual country fair is more affordable than the Del Mar Fair, too.  Ride tickets run $15 ($12 at select presale

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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT–KROC CENTER AUG. 4

Printer-friendly version July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–Join Crime Stoppers, Target and the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the free National Night Out Against Crime. Meet your neighbors and enjoy giveaways, games, face painting, live entertainment, police K-9s, rockclimbing, balloon animals, community booths and more.   This free community event will be held on Tuesday Aug. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at

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ET BY STARLIGHT: LA MESA OFFERS FREE MOVIE SHOWING JULY 31

Printer-friendly version  July 22, 2009 (La Mesa)–The City of La Mesa is offering a free movie night under the stars on Friday July 31st.  This family-oriented event will feature the movie “ET: The Extra-Terrestrial”, rated PG.   "Come see if ET phones home," states a press released issued by La Mesa, which invites the public to bring family, spread out a blanket

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A “VINE” TIME IN EL CAJON: CROWDS SAVORED CHAMBER’S WALKING WINE TASTING & ART TOUR

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 18, 2009 (El Cajon)—Over 200 people signed up for a “Taste of Wine & Art” event sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. Held in conjunction with the Alley Cat Summer Fest, the tour featured samplings of appetizers and desserts, beers, tequila, live music and artwork displays at venues throughout downtown. The

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YOU’RE INVITED! HAVE A HOT TIME A HOOLEYS WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE

Printer-friendly version  July 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–East County Magazine invites you to meet the press and join ius for an evening of food, fun and festivities.  "Have a Hot Time at Hooleys with East County Magazine"  will be held on Wednesday, August 12th from 6-9 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill in Grossmont Center, La Mesa. Reserve space now for the happening event of the summer. The

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THE CAT’S MEOW: ALLEY CAT SUMMER FEST 2009 ON JULY 17 AND 18

Printer-friendly version5,000+ EXPECTED AT EL CAJON COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM July 15. 2009 (El Cajon)– On the prowl for some fun this weekend?  El Cajon community art groups, museums, restaurants, and other downtown businesses are staging Alley Cat Summer Fest 2009, an event best described as the cat’s meow. Organizers predict 5,000 people at the two-day event on Friday, July 17, 4

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SUMMER POPS! CONCERT SUNDAY JULY 19 IN ALLIED GARDENS

Printer-friendly version July 17, 2009 (Allied Gardens) — Navajo Events will host the 5th annual Summer Pops Concert on Sunday, July 19th at the Allied Gardens Community Park. The concert is free to attend and be enjoyed by people of all ages. The public is invited to pack a blanket, some snacks to munch on and join friends in the

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY

January

Walk to the top of Mt. Helix – Click here

Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands, Ramona – Click here

Martin Luther King Choir concerts (locations vary) – Click here

Boardwalk Craft Market, Escondido – Click here

Outdoor ice skating at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here

February

Hawk Watch, Ramona Grasslands – Click here

Cuyamaca College Pow-wow – Click here

Grossmont College Pow-wow – Click here

Chocolate Lovers Festival, Escondido – Click here

Black History Month events at SDSU – Click here

Via Valentino Night, Bernardo Winery – Click here

Heritage Day Parade, San Diego State University

Black History Month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, El Cajon – Click here

March

Lilac Festival, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, Julian – Click here

Circle of Art Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here

Jamul Kiwanis Hot Rod and Chili Cookoff Festival – Click here

Desert Birding Festival, Borrego Springs – Click here

Bunny Train, Pacific Railway Museum, Campo – Click here

Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes (Easter weekend, March or April) – Click here

April

Western Days and Parade, Lakeside – Click here

Lakeside Rodeo, Lakeside – Click here

Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian – Click here

Ramona Music Festival – Click here

Art and Garden Tour Mt. Helix – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Earth Day on Mt. Helix – Click here

Earth Day at the Desert View Tower at Jacumba Hot Springs – Click here

Mariachi Festival in Escondido – Click here

Sweet Pea Days, Summers Past Farms – Click here

Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, Rancho San Diego – Click here

Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Competition – Click here

Renaissance Faire, Escondido – Click here

Ramona Open Studios Tour – Click here

May

America on Main Street, El Cajon – Click here

Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival – Click here

Ramona Rodeo – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Vintage Alpine, Flinn Springs – Click here

Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears, Alpine – Click here

Lake Jennings Spring Carnival – Click here

Manzanita Rendezvous, Lake Morena – Click here

Taste of Julian – Click here

Campo Day – Click here

Campo/Lake Morena Roundup – Click here

SanTree Earth Day Fair – Click here

Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here

Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here

Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here

Escondido Street Festival – Click here

Spring Renaissance Faire Escondido – Click here

June

Flag Day Parade, La Mesa – Click here

Lavender Day, Antique & Crafts Fair – Click here

Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour, Santa Ysabel – Click here

Jamul Wine Festival – Click here

Juneteenth celebration, La Mesa – Click here

Julian Dance and Backcountry Barbecue – Click here

San Diego River Run, Lakeside – Click here

Classic Car Nights, El Cajon – Click here

Santee Summer Concert Series – Click here

Dinner and a Concert Series, El Cajon – Click here

Sundays at Six Concerts, La Mesa – Click here

Viejas Concerts in the Park, Alpine – Click here

Lemon Grove concerts in Berry Park – Click here

Back the the 50s Classic Car Show, La Mesa – Click here

Movies in the Park (County parks) – Click here

Viejas Movies in the Park – Click here

In-Ko-Pah Music Festival – Click here

Passport Through Time – Click here

La Mesa movies in the park – Click here

Summer concerts on Mt. Helix – Click here

Outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine – Click here