Autumn is a season of enchantment in San Diego's East County, when the foliage of the rolling foothills and mountains change color and temperatures dip ever so slightly to put visitors in a fall frame of mind. East County's change of seasons is pronounced by festive annual traditions like Oktoberfests and a Native-American Pow Wow, as well as seasonal grape and apple harvests that attract visitors from far and near to sample luscious wines and delicious homemade apple pies, ciders and jams.

The following are some of San Diego East County's most notable annual fall events.

AMERICAN TO THE CORE

• A San Diego tradition "as American as apple pie" is the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest, September through October, celebrating this historic mountain town's famous homemade apple pies and ciders. Visitors can also enjoy acres of colorful fall foliage, apple picking in local orchards, charming bed and breakfast inns, art shows, quaint antique shops, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment.
• The Julian Apple Days Festival on Oct. 5-6 at Menghini Winery features music and dancing, children's games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a wine and beer garden, food, shopping, apple-related contests, the coronation of Mr. and Mrs. Apple Days and, of course, Julian's famous apple pies. The festival runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under.

WINE AND DINE

• The Julian Grape Stomp Festa takes place on Sept. 7 at the Menghini Winery in Julian, celebrating the town's bountiful grape harvest with an authentic Old World-style grape stomp and festival with live Italian music, food, wine tasting and bocce ball competitions. Admission is $10 for adults, which includes a commemorative wine glass, $5 for guests ages 20 and under and free for children aged under five.

DESERT DELIGHT

• Cooler temperatures and the picturesque desert landscape welcome visitors to the 48th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, Oct. 25-27, in Borrego Springs, East County's desert oasis town. This popular free celebration features a parade on Oct. 26 with marching bands, floats, classic cars, equestrian groups, a western gun show reenactment and more. The three-day festival also includes live entertainment, local artists, a carnival with rides, food vendors and a children's play area.

PARADES & FESTIVALS

• On Nov. 24, the 67th Annual Mother Goose Parade, East County's popular annual kick-off to the winter holiday season, brings crowds of spectators to the city streets of El Cajon. The parade is a cherished local tradition and features whimsical floats, clowns, bands, equestrians and celebrity appearances.
• Bratwurst, beer gardens and oompah bands can only mean one thing - Oktoberfest! A number of communities throughout San Diego County celebrate this traditional German holiday, but the 40th Annual Oktoberfest in La Mesa, Oct. 4-6, and Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, are two of the largest festivals of their kind on the U.S. West Coast. Visitors can enjoy dancing, German food, Bavarian bands and hundreds of crafts and commercial booths along La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa and Mollison Avenue in El Cajon.
• The annual Alpine Viejas Western Days Parade on Sept. 29 celebrates the community spirit of the picturesque rural town of Alpine. The day-long celebration features fun for the whole family, including a popular craft fair and parade with floats, marching bands, drill teams and equestrian units.

PERFORMING ARTS

• Visitors are in for some toe-tappin' fun during the Julian Music Fair and Horseshoe Tournament on Sept. 14 at Frank Lane Park in Julian. Festivities include live bands, children's activities and a horseshoe tournament. Admission is $10 for adults; kids ages 12 and under are free. The Horseshoe Tournament entry fee is $20 per person.
• Celebrating its 45th year, the Julian Music Festival tunes in from 12 noon - 9 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Menghini Winery in Julian. The lively event features performances by blues, bluegrass, country, western and classic folk bands, plus lively banjo and fiddle playing contests.
• The city of Santee kicks ups its heels with the Santee Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 14, featuring live bluegrass music, food vendors and wine and beer tastings.
• The 56th Annual Julian Melodrama, an old-fashioned comedy-melodrama set in the 1890s and loosely based on the history of Julian, is presented every weekend throughout October at the Julian Town Hall. Audiences are encouraged to participate by cheering on the hero, booing the villain and crying "awwww" for the sweet heroine. A variety show between acts features local talents, including a choral group and can-can dancers.

INDIAN SUMMER

• The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presents the 24th Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow, Sept. 13-15, on the Sycuan Indian Reservation in El Cajon. This traditional celebration features Indian songs, drums, dance, arts and crafts, games and food. The free event is open to the public; on-site camping is available.

DRIVE THROUGH

• During the 8th Annual Historic Highway 80 Passport Through Time Road Trip on Oct. 19, car drivers and motorcyclists can embark on a fun and nostalgic ride on the "Broadway of America" through San Diego's backcountry, stopping at quaint towns and unique points of interest along the way.

PEDAL POWER

• Bicyclists can test their stamina along 25- and 50-mile routes through East County's scenic mountain terrain on Nov. 2-3 during the Tour de Julian. This annual fall event attracts hundreds of bicyclists from throughout the nation.

Happiness is calling in East County. For more information on fall activities and events in East County and the entire San Diego region, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, www.sandiego.org and www.sandiego.org/eastcounty, or call 619.236.1212.

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