Mt. Helix Park Food & Wine Festival returns as a two-day fundraiser

LA MESA, CA — Mt. Helix Park, also known as the “Crown Jewel of East County,” has been a treasured landmark in San Diego County for decades.

The Mt. Helix Park Food and Wine Festival, taking place this weekend, is the park’s premier fundraiser. For the first time, the event will run for two days and raise funds for the nearly 100-year-old park.

A catered dinner will be held Friday evening, followed by the 17th Annual Food and Wine Festival on Saturday.

“Celebrating Mt. Helix Park’s 99th anniversary is a testament to the incredible support and love of our community,” said Mary Kirk, Events and Development Coordinator for the Mt. Helix Park Foundation. “Our dedicated volunteers, generous donors and passionate park members are the heart and soul of keeping this cherished historic park open and free year-round.”

“A Swingin’ Evening” in the Flamingo Lounge takes place the evening before the festival and is a dinner with swinging live music from the American Flyboys.

“Guests can experience the park after hours, admire the beautiful sunset as the city lights begin to sparkle, dance the night away to great music and enjoy a fantastic buffet from Bekker’s Catering, all while making a donation to the Mt. Helix Park Foundation,” Kirk told Patch.

On Saturday, the Palm Springs Flamingo Fling festival, a throwback to Palm Springs’ retro era, will feature booths with tasting offerings from local restaurants, breweries and wineries. Jason Hana & The Swingin’ Bananas will take the main stage, while local rockabilly band Flipside Burner will take the second stage. The 21-and-over event will also include a silent auction.

Both events benefit Mount Helix Park, a San Diego landmark since its construction in 1925. The Mount Helix Park Foundation was established in 1999 to maintain and preserve the historic park, outdoor amphitheater and cross monument at the summit of Mount Helix.

The money raised at the events will help the foundation maintain and beautify the park.

“Our annual Food and Wine Festival, now a beloved tradition, not only supports the Mt. Helix Park Foundation, but also brings us all together for a night of fun and support of local businesses,” Kirk told Patch. “Here’s to many more years at Mt. Helix Park – we look forward to seeing you at this year’s festival fundraiser!”

General admission to the festival begins at 6pm. VIP ticket holders will receive an additional hour of tasting and a gift bag starting at 5pm. All ticket holders will receive a free wine tumbler as a souvenir.

Parking is available at Grossmont High School. Participants will be shuttled from the high school to the park. The first shuttle departs at 5:45 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mthelixpark.org.