The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

It's 4th of July weekend in Berkeley Springs -- and a long weekend at that. Family fun is on the schedule. Fireworks don't happen here until the end of July and the County Fair but we post a list of all those nearby.

The big event is just over the mountain from Berkeley Springs in Great Cacapon, site of the 45th annual Great Cacapon's Firemen's Carnival on Saturday. Games start at 2pm with dinner being served from 3pm on. The parade is at 6pm and everyone is welcome.

On the 4th -- which is Sunday -- Cacapon State Park is the scene for everything from swimming at the sand beach lake to playing golf. Whatever you are doing there, take a break at 2pm to hear the outstanding holiday concert of the Morgan Community Concert Band. There will be marches galore! And did we mention golf? Stay through the week and sign up for the Golf Academy Tuesday through Thursday. It's for everyone -- men, women, teens -- and very helpful.

The Country Inn has also staked out the 4th as a holiday to celebrate -- but on Saturday. They're having a pig roast on their front lawn with all the fixings on the side PLUS a bluegrass band from dusk to dawn. You don't have to be staying at the Inn to be partying there. Choose to enjoy other meals there over the weekend as well as their Five Senses Spa.

Monday night is the debut of the Berkeley Springs School of Rock playing a concert at the Star Theatre beginning at 8pm on the same stage where "Asleep at the Wheel" performed last August. Over the weekend, the Star shows movies on its usual schedule of Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 8pm. The feature is "Prince of Persia" starring Jake Gyllenhall.

The Star Theatre is also the scene for a somewhat different event on Saturday from noon to 4pm when Joyce Morningstar and Jeanne Mozier offer mini-readings using astrology and tarot cards.

Music fun starts on Thursday with Cindy Born hosting jam nite at Tari's Cafe beginning at 8pm. Blues-based singer/songwriter Billy Thompson gets close to his audience at the Fairfax Coffee House on at 8pm.

It's a red, white and blueberry weekend at Panorama with everything from blueberry Margaritas (mmmm....) to blueberry chicken. Come out for Sunday's brunch and you'll get blueberry waffles. Lots of other fresh local food on the menu too. But.. you have to get there early on Sunday since the last seating is at 3pm this weekend.

Speaking of local food -- you can buy your own for the weekend on Thursday at the afternoon Farmers Market or to take home at the Sunday market from 10am to 2pm.
Also on Sunday from 10am to 4pm is Art in the Park with local vendors.

There are lots of great places to stay this weekend and every other. But this weekend Highlawn Inn REALLY wants you to try them so they are offering a special discount each night when you stay at least two nights over the 4th. But...here's the trick, you have to say you want the 4th room sale to get it. It's Independence Day -- be independent!

There's plenty to do this weekend as every weekend from indulging in a spa to dining al fresco to shopping 'til you drop. BUT...it is the 4th of July and Berkeley Springs IS a bicentennial town (although it's birthday is not until December 6, 1776.) We want you to engage in some history this weekend. Here are choices: drive the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway and follow the footsteps of our first president who was already a regular at the springs when he bought one of the first lots sold in summer of 1777. You can do this on your motorcycle as well as a car. Another choice is to visit the Museum of the Berkeley Springs on the second floor over the Roman BathHouse in Berkeley Springs State Park. The Museum starts its summer hours this weekend so you can visit Friday through Monday 11am to 4pm. And what will you see? George Washington's rock. An exhibit on the Fires of Bath. Crystals from the mountainside. Antique bathing suits and so much more.

So... celebrate the 4th of July in a place that was there at the beginning. Berkeley Springs -- historic and contemporary and fun in any century.