10,000 Expected to Attend Santee Fireworks Event July 4

Photo from Santee Salutes 2012

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Santee Salutes, an annual 4th of July celebration sponsored by Waste Management Inc. and coordinated by the City of Santee Community Services Department.

 Held at Town Center Community Park East beginning at 3:30 p.m., the event features live music and carnival-style attractions, gourmet food trucks and a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. by Fireworks America.

At 6 p.m. Santee Mayor Randy Voepel will lead a patriotic ceremony with the Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 color guard from U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

“Each year we try to add new attractions to enhance the experience, but Santee Salutes will always be a family oriented event with a patriotic theme,” said Cherie Meek the city’s special events supervisor.

New rides and attractions this year include a privately owned fire truck, laser tag games, a mini-Ferris wheel, a mechanical bull and mechanical surf board ride and rock wall climbing. Parents can avoid waiting in line at the California Health Network Fun Zone by purchasing tickets in advance at the Elite Events and Party Rental website: http://www.sdelite.com/Santee-Salutes-4th-of-July-s/208.htm

To reduce congestion at the conclusion of the fireworks show, the city is adding an extra half-hour of free live music by the 80z All Stars, an ‘80s music tribute band, until 10 p.m.

“Instead of everybody rushing off all at once, patrons can stay at the park and listen to some live music while the roads clear out,” Meek said.

To help offset the cost of the event and support youth sports programs, the city is charging $5 to park at city owned parking lots.  Preferred parking closest to the fireworks is $15. A portion of the revenue is shared with local youth sports leagues that provide volunteers who collect the parking fees.

Patriotic T-shirts and glow necklaces will be available for purchase.

Attendees can park for free at the Costco parking lot and take a free shuttle to the park. The shuttle service will be available from 3:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Prior to the event, the City of Santee Aquatics Center and Cameron Family YMCA will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The following streets will be limited to resident traffic during evening hours: Bilteer Drive, Bilteer Court, San Remo Court, San Remo Drive, Conejo Place, Magnolia Park Drive, Cottonwood Avenue, Verde Vista Lane, Day Creek Trail and Leavesly Trail.

Area residents are encouraged to safely secure dogs or bring them inside.

This community event is made possible through the financial support of Waste Management, the California Health Network and in-kind donations from radio station KSON, Bob’s Crane Service, Cottonwood Electric Cart Service, Rice RV and Lekos Electric.

Additional information is available at the city’s website: www.cityofsanteeca.gov
or by calling the Special Event Hotline at (619) 258-4100 ext. 201

Reserve Canopy Space at Santee Salutes on July 4

Tired of getting up early to grab a premier spot to watch Santee’s fantastic fireworks show on the 4th of July?

Santee’s Special Events Division is offering advance reservation for family canopy sites at this popular community event.

 A limited number of 10' x 10' spaces are available in a prime viewing area, along with a reserved preferred parking spot, for a $125 fee. The proceeds will be used help offset costs for the event, which is free to the public.

 The canopies are removed at sunset by the Special Events staff  to avoid obstructing peoples’ view of the fireworks.

 Reserve your space now because once they are gone, they’re gone. Click here to access the reservation form.

Families Flock to Santee Easter Egg Event

Easter Bunny Christine Edwards

More than 8,000 people swarmed the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve March 30 to participate in Santee’s 10th Annual Eggstravaganza.

The daylong family event included food, music, pony rides, carnival rides, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts and more.

About 2,700 children from age 8 and younger scrambled for treats at 40 egg hunts that were staged at two zones, one for small children and another for older kids.

More than 50 volunteers helped out at the event, which is co-sponsored by the city of Santee and Padre Dam Municipal Water District, which operates the 190-acre preserve.

Calling All Eggheads: Spring Eggstravaganza is March 30

Ryann Hague and friend Alyssa Northum at Eggstravaganza

The city of Santee is excited to partner with the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve to present the 10th Annual Spring Eggstravaganza, a daylong event with an old-fashioned Easter theme.

About 20,000 plastic eggs will be stashed around the Santee Lakes on Saturday, March 30th for kids ages 8 and younger to find. Each child participating in an egg hunt will receive a goody bag filled with snacks, coupons, and small toys.

In addition to the egg hunts, families can look forward to crafts, inflatables, carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and Primo DJ.

Adding to the photo opportunities, characters such as the Easter bunny, Boomers’ kangaroo, the Chick-fil-A cow and Wendy’s Frosty will be roaming the event in full costume.

Last year, an estimated 8,000 children and adults attended the event, and a similar crowd is expected this year. Please plan ahead for parking locations. A free shuttle is available from several locations inside Santee Lakes.

Eggstravaganza begins at 9:00 a.m. with continuous egg hunts throughout the day until 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $0.50 each, and activities and rides range from 1 to 10 tickets. Admission to the event is free, but there is a $5 charge to park inside the recreation preserve. For more information click here, or call   (619) 258-4100 ext. 201.

Thanks to Balfour Beatty Construction for its generous support.

Santee's 4th of July Event Moving to New Location

Santee Salutes, the city’s annual 4^th of July celebration and fireworks show, will move to a new location at Town Center Community Park East adjacent to the City of Santee Aquatics Center/Cameron Family YMCA.

The event, which runs from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., features live music, gourmet and traditional food, carnival games and inflatable attractions for kids.

Live music will be provided by the 80z All Stars, an ‘80s music tribute band. A patriotic ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. will be led by a color guard from the Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 based at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m.

New this year will be a fleet of gourmet food trucks offering a variety of delicious meals from old-fashioned barbecue to spicy Thai cuisine.

To help defray costs for the free patriotic community event, motorists will be charged a $5 parking fee. Limited preferred parking at the lot closest to the event will be available for $15.  Handicapped parking at the preferred parking lot will be $5.

Free parking is available at the Costco parking lot, where patrons can take a free shuttle back and forth from the event from 3:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. RV parking is also available at Costco.

To avoid the hassle of carrying chairs, tables, coolers and etc. for a long distance, you can reserve a 10-by-10 foot canopy in a prime viewing area along with a preferred parking spot for $100 for the entire day. Reserve online at www.ci.santee.ca.us

Free swimming is available at the City of Santee Aquatics Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The following streets will be limited to resident traffic during evening hours:

Bilteer Drive, Bilteer Court, San Remo Court, San Remo Drive, Conejo Place, Magnolia Park Drive, Cottonwood Avenue, Verde Vista Lane, Day Creek Trail and Leavesly Trail.

This popular event is made possible through the support of our anchor sponsors, Waste Management and Cannon Pacific. Donations have also been given by Lakeside Equipment Sales Inc, Bob’s Crane Service, Cottonwood Electric Cart Service and Rice RV.

Information: www.ci.santee.ca.us or Special Event Hotline at (619) 258-4100 ext. 201



Eggcellent Turnout at Eggstravaganza

The popularity of the old-fashioned Easter egg hunt has not diminished.

An estimated 8,000 people turned out Saturday, April 7 for the 9^th Annual  Spring Eggstravaganza event at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

“It was probably our biggest attendance ever,” said Cherie Meek, special events supervisor for the city of Santee. “The venue was overflowing with happy families.”

The first two hours of the event were covered live by San Diego Channel 6 weekend weather reporter Brooke Landau.

About 17,000 plastic eggs were left for children to gather during 40 egg hunts held throughout the day. All children participating in the hunts received goodie bags.

More than 50 community volunteers provided valuable assistance at the event, which was co-sponsored by the city of Santee and the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

“We are grateful to our partners at Santee Lakes for making this such a successful event,” Meek said. “This shows mutual cooperation between two agencies can benefit the community.”

Rainy Day Fun at SanTree Fest

A hearty crowd of volunteers braved intermittent light wind and rain the morning of Saturday, March 17 to plant trees and create a simulated streambed at Town Center Community Park. It was a fitting way to celebrate California Arbor Week (March 12-18).

"We can’t thank the community and our sponsors enough for bringing their spirit and enthusiasm to brighten an otherwise rainy day," said Cherie Meek, the city’s Special Events Supervisor.  "Everyone pitched in to make this already stunning park and even more beautiful place."

Thirty-two decorative trees were planted, along with 40 shrubs that decorate the faux streambed in front of the City of Santee Aquatics Center/Cameron Family YMCA. Vendors provided hand outs and food samples to the crowd while scouts and community members enjoyed the green themed event in an array of rain gear, seldom worn in San Diego.

The event will ensure that Santee earns its Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 11^th consecutive year.

In case you missed it, here’s a video slide show that recaps the event.

Girl Scouts Celebrate Centennial

More than 600 Girl Scouts from East County gathered at Santee’s Town Center Community Park Monday evening for the 100^th Anniversary Sunset Celebration.

“The whole setting was just so beautiful,” said Mary Ann Angeles, a Girl Scout leader from Lakeside who served as emcee of the event. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

The hour-long centennial event included a flag ceremony, reciting the Girl Scout promise, a friendship circle and a sing-a-long.

“It was like having a big camp fire without the camp fire,” Angeles said. “Everyone was singing. It was awesome. We had girls from kindergarten through high school."

Special guests included Jo Dee Catlin Jacob, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts' San Diego-Imperial Council, and 80-year-old Girl Scout Virginia Mullen.

Early Bird Price Alert for Santee Bluegrass Festival

A $5 discount - nearly 15 percent - is available on tickets for the third annual Santee Bluegrass Festival during the month of March.

Tickets during the early bird purchase period are $30; after that, the price rises to $35.

The festival, which is scheduled for Sept. 22, is an affordable evening of fun for adults that benefits the Santee Teen Center, park improvement projects, and the Recreation Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to qualifying Santee children, teens and seniors to take part in city recreation programs.

Admission includes food from local sponsoring restaurants and the opportunity to sample several varieties of wine and micro-brewed beers.

In addition, there will be live music by Box Canyon and The Tail Draggers, two talented bluegrass bands, and a spectacular lineup of silent auction items.

Tickets can be purchased online or in person at Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Building 6.  Need more information? Visit the city’s website or call the Special Events Hotline at (619) 258-4100 ext. 201.

Go Green at SanTree Fest

It’s fun, it’s free and just six weeks away.

On Saturday, March 17, the city of Santee will host SanTree Fest, an annual event that echoes the nationwide Earth Day celebration and highlights both wellness and environmental awareness.

It started seven years ago as a way to rally the community together to plant trees and to celebrate Arbor Day and the city’s Tree City USA designation.

This year’s event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Town Center Community Park in front of the City of Santee Aquatics Center and Cameron Family YMCA, 10123 Riverwalk Drive.

If you’re a Girl or Boy Scout leader, or a member of a club or service organization, SanTree Fest is an ideal opportunity to blend education with public service.

Volunteers will divide into groups and plant approximately 45 trees in the park’s newest new picnic area and around the YMCA. There will be a variety of booths and vendors showcasing green businesses and those that promote a healthy, nutritional lifestyle.

You can get a head start by filling out a liability waiver in advance. The waiver is on the Special Events page of the  city’s website.

For sponsorship opportunities and booth information, contact Special Events Supervisor Cherie Meek at 619-258-4100 ext 219 or by email at cmeek@ci.santee.ca.us.

A Festive Kickoff for the Holidays

More than 4,000 people turned out last Friday for the city’s annual Holiday Lighting Celebration at Santee Trolley Square.

The event, which celebrates the start of the holiday season, featured live music from the  Bayou Brothers,  roving carolers in period costumes, a variety of crafts for kids, and a chance to go ice skating or tour the shopping center in a horse-drawn carriage.

“The whole place was just a bustle of activity,” said Special Events Supervisor Cherie Meek.

Santa Claus posed for photos with children, who were given free chocolate-chip cookies made by Mrs. Claus.

A craft booth set up by Lowe’s home improvement store helped kids put together more than 1,000 craft projects. Children decorated (and presumably ate) more than 2,000 cookies donated by Souplantation and Eccentric International Chefs Bakery and Deli.

With the wave of a magic wand and a flash from sparklers, a 20-foot-tall holiday tree was lighted. At the same moment, decorative lights on entry monuments at four major intersections in Santee were turned on.

The event was sponsored by Waste Management, Santee Trolley Square, Welk Resorts, Daphne's California Greek, Fireworks America and MTS.

Santee Gets Bright for the Holidays

If you're looking for a family event that's guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit, mark your calendar for the City of Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration.

The event, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at Santee Trolley Square, offers upbeat activities for people of all ages.

As an event that celebrates the start of the holiday season, don't be surprised to see folks being spontaneously cheerful and wearing reindeer antlers.

Live music from the Bayou Brothers, who play a mix of zydeco with a holiday twist, will help you get into the mood.  If that doesn't close the deal, then the roving carolers dressed in period costumes will.

There will be booths to browse, samples from local eateries, and plenty of fun activities for kids.  Craft stations will be set up where children can decorate cookies, construct a paper chain, or make their own ornaments and holiday gift bags.

The Holiday Lighting Celebration is focused around the lighting of a 20-foot artificial tree.  With the wave of a faux magic wand, the tree's holiday lights will flash on.  At the same instant the tree is lighted, entry monuments at four major intersections will come aglow with decorative lights.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available for $2 per person, except for children 3 years or younger, who may ride for free on a lap of an adult.  For a $3 fee, children 5 years and older, as well as adults, can glide on ice skates across a 2,400-square-foot synthetic rink.  Children will be able to confide their wish lists to Santa.  Professional photos with the jolly guy will be available for $10.

Title sponsor for the event is Waste Management.  Other sponsors include Santee Trolley Square, Welk Resorts, Daphne's California Greek, Fireworks America and MTS.

Information about the event is available by calling the Santee Special Events Hotline at (619) 258-4100 ext. 201 or visit the city's website.

Family Fest Wrap-up

Despite heat that topped 90 degrees, former WNBA player Kristen Mann gave an enthusiastic performance at Santee’s Family Fest event on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Town Center Community Park.

Mann offered inspirational words and high energy as she paced participants through a series of drills during a fitness clinic aimed at increasing speed and agility.

Family Fest also featured live music by the Alley Cats, activity booths for kids, and free hot dog lunches for the public. Representatives for the Coca Cola Co. presented the city with a $10,000 grant that will be used for park and recreation improvements and equipment.

Family Fest was an opportunity to show off the city’s newest park and dedicate its special amenities, including a human sun dial and a walking path that was christened as a memorial to Santee’s two adopted U.S. Marine Corps units.

Development of the 55-acre park began in 2003 with the construction of the City of Santee Aquatics Center and Cameron Family YMCA. The second phase which included the sports complex, soccer and football fields, playground and other site amenities was completed at a total cost of $23.5 million.

Family Fest was presented with assistance from sponsors Western Rim Constructors, ACE electric, Area West Fence, MIG and Musco Lighting.

Early Bird Price Alert for Santee’s Wine & Bluegrass Festival

Be smart. Buy early. The $30 advance ticket price for the Second Annual Santee Wine & Bluegrass Festival expires on Sept. 12. After that, the price rises to $35.

Proceeds from the event will benefit municipal parks, community programs and the Recreation Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance to qualifying Santee families allowing children, teens and seniors to take part in the City's recreation programs.

The Wine & Bluegrass Festival offers adults an affordable evening of fun from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Town Center Community Park. Admission entitles ticket holders to unlimited food from sponsoring local restaurants and several varieties of wine and micro-brewed beers. The music features two talented bluegrass bands, Box Canyon and The Tail Draggers.

The event also features a spectacular lineup of silent auction items, including an electric Taylor guitar, weekend getaways and other items that make great gifts.

Tickets can be purchased online or in person at Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Bldg. 6.  Need more information? Call the Special Events Hotline at (619) 258-4100 ext. 201, or visit the City's website.

Santee to Hold Family Fest at Town Center Community Park

The city of Santee is holding a special event to show off the city’s newest park and to dedicate some of the park’s special amenities, a walking path, stage, soccer fields and a human sun dial.

Family Fest, celebrating the long awaited completion of Town Center Community Park, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 27.

The event will include food, music and activities the whole family can enjoy, plus a special appearance by WNBA legend Kristen Mann.  Mann, who played for four WNBA teams as well as professionally overseas, will lead a clinic for boys and girls from ages 7 to 13 that will encourage them to get outside and play this summer. Clinic participants will receive a free T-shirt.

Encompassing 55 acres along the north side of the San Diego River, Town Center Community Park also includes the Cameron Family YMCA, the City of Santee Aquatics Center, and a 15-acre recreational sports complex with batting cages, and lighted baseball, softball, and arena soccer fields operated by Sportsplex USA.

During Family Fest, the park’s circular walking path, which is nearly two-thirds of a mile long, will be dedicated in honor of the U.S Marines 2^nd Battalion, 1^st Marine Division and Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462.

Free hot dogs, chips and beverages will be available while supplies last. There will be inflatable jumps, laser tag, crafts and interactive booths, along with fitness contests and games. The City of Santee Aquatics Center will be open for free swimming all day.

Live music will be performed by doo-wop a capella group The Alley Cats, a dance and percussion group named Jr. Crew, and singer Kelsie Martin, who starred in the MTV reality show Made.

The event is sponsored by Western Rim, ACE electric, Area West Fence, MIG, Musco Lighting, and Coca-Cola. Sponsor Coca-Cola will present the city of Santee with a $10,000 grant awarded as part of their America is Your Park campaign.  This is the second year that the Coca-Cola “Live Positively” initiative has launched the national America is Your Park contest that includes donating a series of recreation grants to help provide families with ways to get active outdoors. Town Center Community Park is currently vying for one of three grand prizes to be awarded through the program.

Town Center Community Park is located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee, CA  92071. For more information, visit the city's website or call the Special Events hotline at 619-258-4100 ext. 201.

Santee Salutes the 4th of July



                                                                   Photo courtesy of Jay Renard

An estimated at 8,000 people turned out at Town Center Community Park to observe the 4^th of July at the city’s annual Santee Salutes celebration.

The Danielle Tucker Band and The Mighty Untouchables had the crowd tapping their feet and grooving on the dance floor. A local gymnastics group put on an exhibition of their athletic skills. Food vendors offered everything from hot dogs to salads. There were carnival rides, face painting and plenty of games for the kids.

                                                        Photo courtesy of Cory Christensen

A dozen Marines from Camp Pendleton volunteered to provide security and help with parking. A Marine color guard, accompanied by Will Tisch who wore a Revolutionary War uniform, presented the U.S. flag and reminded everyone of what July 4^th represents.



This year’s event had a surprise: A “flash mob” performance by approximately 100 folks of all ages who were recruited from the community. They rocked the park for more than four minutes with a choreographed dance routine that was captured on video.

The event, which was sponsored by Waste Management Inc. and Cannon Pacific, culminated with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.