The following information was disseminated by the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

You know it's summer in Berkeley Springs when the County Fair comes around -- and that is this weekend.

The County Fair starts with some Friday evening fun in Berkeley Springs State Park especially for the kids. It's a Young Artists Art Show with entertainment beginning at 5:30pm and then free swimming in the park pool at 6 with an ice cream social at 6:30pm. Saturday, the action moves to the Fair proper at Berkeley Springs High School where the doors open at 10am. The day is filled with exhibits, entertainment, food, and special activities including the Cub Scout Pine Box Derby and the cake auction at 3pm. The fun concludes with fireworks at 9pm preceded by a concert at 7:30pm. Sunday, it all starts again at noon.

There's other fun in town as well. On Saturday at 5:30pm in Berkeley Springs State Park, the Morgan Arts Council presents a truly rare musical experience as part of its Saturday Concerts in the Park series. Cellofourte is a trio of classical cellos plus a rock drummer who blend the genres of classical and rock into a dramatic sound you probably have never before heard. Should it rain, the concert moves inside to the Ice House just down the block.

There's a free dance night at Rankin's Physical Therapy open to the community from 7 to 9m on Saturday. For country dancing fans head out to the Troubadour Lounge on Saturday at 9pm for a night of fun with the V-6 Band. While you're out there, wander around and check out the photos and memorabilia in the WV Country Music Hall of Fame.

If you like sitting and listening to the music with a wine glass in hand, stop by the Fairfax Coffee House on Saturday at 8pm to hear The Shifters - Bill McLaughlan & Mary Anne Haines -- perform a blend of originals, swing & blues, rock n' folk and other down home oddities.

Local music has an important place in Berkeley Springs. You can hear it at Earth Dog Cafe starting Wednesday night and through the weekend. On Thursday it's Tari's Cafe with special appetizers, a prime rib special and the regular Jam Night at 8pm, this week hosted by Cindy Born.

The Star Theatre showcases two meanings of its name on Saturday when there are card and star readings by two readers from noon to 4pm. The rest of the weekend, it's Hollywood stars on the big screen with Sandra Bullock in the sweet and funny romantic comedy, "The Proposal" starting at 8pm Thursday through Sunday nights.

Sunday is outdoor shopping day with the Farmers Market set up in the square from 10am to 2pm featuring great local produce and prepared foods. From 10am to 4pm it's Art in the Park with vendors set up in Berkeley Springs State Park.

Art shopping is really an everyday treat in Berkeley Springs with locations like Mountain Laurel Gallery with two floors of outstanding American arts and quality crafts. Tari's Cafe and Gallery also features regional artists and the Ice House Co-op Gallery is the Mother Lode for local artists. It is open only Friday through Sunday 11am to 5pm. While at the Ice House Gallery, check out the special African Art Show featuring the baskets, beads and fabrics of women in Uganda. Heath Studio Gallery takes you to the north end of town, while Cathy's Art is smack in the middle. There is also art to see and buy at the Fairfax Coffee House and La Luna Wine Bar and Gallery.

There's lots more to buy in Berkeley Springs than art. Stroll the several blocks of the Historic District downtown and visit more than a dozen other shops with treasures ranging from antiques to homeopathic medical remedies to outdoor and garden gift items to wine, books, quilts and even authentic Tibetan items. You are sure to find something to take home at a price you can afford.

We have great shopping, marvelous food, fun activities but, the truth is, most people come for the water. Especially the water in luxurious baths and whirlpools preparing you for an even more luxurious and relaxing massage, or facial, or other bodywork treatment. There are a half dozen locations, a couple dozen practitioners and more than 50 treatments from which to choose including acupuncture and reflexology. The Country Inn has wonderful lodging and spa packages and Atasia Spa is offering a Recession Relaxation package with bath, massage and facial for only $99. Check our Spa page for all the details.

This is summer so let's close with some outdoor fun. There's an 18-hole golf course, sand beach lake, horseback riding and lots of hiking at Cacapon State Park. We have two clay shooting ranges -- one at Cacapon and another at Sleepy Creek Sports.

You can also take fly fishing lessons from Shenandoah Streamers or play minigolf and drive balls at Cold Run Driving Range. More hiking can be found on the Tuscarora Trail along Sleepy Creek Mountain or the flat and easy C&O Canal Towpath with its prize in Paw Paw -- the largest manmade structure on the C&O Canal -- the Paw Paw Tunnel. If driving is your idea of summer fun, tour the Washington Heritage Trail and follow the footsteps of our first president through more than 50 miles of Morgan County. Don't miss stopping at the Panorama Overlook for the spectacular view.

Whether you choose outdoors, outdoor fun inside or inside fun -- we have it in Berkeley Springs. Come for the day then stay the night at one of our many lodging opportunities from individual properties like River House to historic inns, mountain cabins, charming B&Bs and a variety of the fully-equipped vacation homes, many with pool or river access.