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Week of June 30-July 6, 2008

It's 4th of July weekend in historic Berkeley Springs (born along with America in 1776!) and there is plenty to do -- except fireworks which must wait until County Fair weekend in August.

On the 4th itself, the big event is the annual Community Concert Band performance at Cacapon State Park at 1pm. They'll be playing all your favorite band tunes. It's also First Friday so stop downtown for antique cars in the park, street food, drumming and shops open late. There may not be fireworks but there are stars -- and you can see them up close and personal with the giant Cassegrain telescope at the Morgan County Observatory during the public star party on Friday starting at 8:30pm.

For those ready to be up and out early, Saturday offers a rare opportunity for a guided nature walk at Eidelon Nature Preserve at 10am led by naturalist Joe Gentile. In town there is a ribbon cutting for the new bridge at the Country Inn at 11am followed by an old fashioned ice cream social in their courtyard. The real action on Saturday is in Great Cacapon just over the mountain from Berkeley Springs where the fire department stages their annual Firemen's Festival beginning with a traditional hometown parade at 2pm. Then at 6pm it's food and live entertainment. If you do the Eidelon walk, you'll be in the 'hood. Back in Berkeley Springs at 5pm, there is a Conversation Cafe at Creekside Creamery. The party moves to the Ice House at 7:30pm where local acoustic musicians come for a jam session and invite the public to listen in. If you love music jams, come early and go to Tari's Cafe on Thursday at 8pm for their regular regional jam complete with special appetizer menu from Chef Devin.

All weekend long, from Thursday through Sunday at 8pm, the Star Theatre is showing the new Adam Sandler comedy: "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," about an Israeli commando turned Manhattan hair dresser. There is other nightlife from La Luna Wine Bar now open on Thursday nights as well as Friday through Sunday to the tavern at the Country Inn. For country style nightlife, visit the Troubadour Lounge out on the ridge with a DJ on Friday and a live band on Saturday at 9pm. For a romantic and fun Saturday night, try dinner and dancing at the Country Inn, this weekend to the music of the Fascination Rhythm Jazz Quartet, the popular dance band of metro DC. Dinner starts at 6:30pm, dancing at 8pm.

Sunday fun begins with the Farmers Market in the Square from 10am to 2pm while artists sell their wares in the park. On the main street, Civil War author Steve French is signing his new book on the Imboden raid at Recycling Works from 2 to 4pm. They also have other local books there as well as rare volumes. At Creekside Creamery, there is special product tasting and sale from 11am to 3pm -- and there is always great ice cream.

Shops will be open all weekend with unique offerings ranging from local art, antiques and collectibles to homeopathic medical remedies and belly dancing costumes. There's a health food store, Tibetan shop and wine store, one filled with teas and herbs and a nature shop. Portals new age shop has a tarot reader every Saturday. Nothing is standard fare in Berkeley Springs and all the shop owners are ready and enthusiastic about sharing their passion with you. It's the final weekend at the Ice House Gallery for Paint Morgan County so if you want to get a truly one-of-a-kind memory of the area -- this is the place. The Gallery will be open on the 4th as well as Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

The several spas in town are ready to soothe aching muscles from too much holiday weekend fun so check the Spa page for all the many options from historic Roman Baths to a two therapist sacred Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage to a variety of rubs, scrubs, warps, facials, pedicures and other special treatments. If making decisions is too much for you, try the combination package at the Bath House Day Spa where you can book their elegant suite upstairs and get a spa treatment with the room.

This is the weekend to play outside and there is plenty of fine outside to play in. For intown adventure, drop by the spring-fed outdoor pool in Berkeley Springs State Park, open daily. While in the park, visit the Museum on the second floor of the Roman Bath House and learn all about the springs and their impact on local life. The outdoor playground of choice is Cacapon State Park just ten miles down the main road from town. They offer a high quality 18-hole public golf course, lake with sand beach and paddle boats, game courts, a Nature Center and seemingly endless miles of mountain hiking trails. The park restaurant is a favorite for family dining while you are there. For another hiking opportunity, seek out the newly marked Tuscarora Trail that leads from Spruce Pine Hollow Park on WV9 east up the mountain to Sleepy Creek Lake. This is a serious hike. The Paw Paw Tunnel is the easiest hike beginning at a small park and just a few hundred yards in along the C&O Canal which is smooth and flat walking.

All the fine restaurants are open with MI Ranchito in their new location across from the Ice House. Lot 12 has outdoor porch dining as well as marvelous gourmet food and chefs reign supreme with great food and fresh local ingredients at Tari's Cafe, the Country Inn, Corner Steak and Sea and Panorama at the Peak. Maria's Garden serves breakfast as well as family-friendly Italian food. For full-tilt Sunday brunch with live music and a spectacular view choose Panorama. The Country Inn is offering one of their rare brunches in the Garden Room this Sunday from 10am to 1pm. Prepare for those picnic outings you want to take, with a stop by Tony's Butcher Block for great sandwiches, salads and fine meats and fish to grill.

This is the weekend for country lodging so check out the lodging page for a full listing of vacation homes, cabins, cottages in the woods and along the river. Town also offers inn rooms and B&Bs and special suites. There is a special place for you to stay to meet every need and want you may have from bedrooms enough for two families with kids to antique-filled spaces and in-room whirlpool tubs. Check the listing page for vacancies and for those locations offering gas cards along with the room. Make your choice and we know you'll be happy and proud to spend your weekend in an historic town born in 1776!