The HeART of Mt. Helix – Combining art and wine under the stars

Under the Stars Atop Mt. Helix

East County’s most recognizable landmark, the cross memorial and amphitheater atop Mt. Helix, will be the site of this year’s The HeART of Mt. Helix. Drawing inspiration from the art colony that settled on Mt. Helix in the early 1900s, the event will feature local performing and visual artists from throughout San Diego County. The featured artist providing this year’s dance music will be one of San Diego’s best-known local bands, The Mar Dels, famous for their great music that spans from the 50s to the 90s as well as their top notch performances.

Community partners such as the Riviera Supper Club, Savanna Grill, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, Anthony’s Fish Grotto, Gio Bistro & Wine Bar, BMH Italian Deli, M&M Patisserie and Hooley’s Irish Pub will be showing off the culinary talents of their chefs by providing signature appetizers during the evening. Ballast Point Brewing Company will be the featured brewery and select wines will be available.

An Auxiliary, chaired by Mt. Helix resident Kathy White, is coordinating the event with proceeds going to the Mt. Helix Park Foundation. This non-profit foundation, founded in 1999, is the organization entrusted with the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of the cross memorial, amphitheater and park at the summit of Mt. Helix.

The unique setting of Mt. Helix Park provides the community with a venue for weddings, special celebrations, musical performances, spiritual Easter Sunrise Services, family outings, morning yoga classes, viewing of spectacular sunsets or simply a beautiful place for quiet contemplation. Receiving no government support, the Foundation must raise their own funding in order to maintain the historic site and keep it a vibrant part of the community.

The event draws a large crowd and provides an enjoyable evening of food, wine and art along with a spectacular panoramic view of San Diego County. As Kathy White puts it, “there is nothing like watching the sun go down over the Pacific while sipping a chilled glass of wine.”

A highlight of the evening will be the recognition of the Park’s “Hometown Heroes,” local residents or organizations that have contributed to the success of the park. This year’s recipients of that recognition will be Grossmont Mt. Helix Improvement Association, referred to as GMIA, and a memorial tribute to Miles Stephich who was known locally as the “Mayor of Mt. Helix.” The event will also include both a silent and live auction. This year’s MC and Auctioneer will be Bill Griffith, local anchor for Channel 10News.

The HeART of Mt. Helix
Saturday, August 15
5:30 – 10:30 pm
Tickets – $50/person for general admission, $100 for reserved table seating, tables of 10 available for $1,000
Purchase tickets at www.mthelixpark.org or by calling 619.588.4901 (all tickets are presale)
Parking and free shuttle service will be available from the corner of Vivera and Mt. Helix Drive.