Summer is in full bloom in Berkeley Springs and there are many reasons to celebrate being outdoors.

This weekend is the Morgan County Fair located on the campus of Berkeley Springs High School just south of town. Highlight of the Fair is the fireworks on Saturday after dark on the Widmyer Elementary school grounds a little further south from the high school. Activities begin with a Young Artist Art Show and Entertainment in Berkeley Springs State Park on Friday evening from 5:30-8:30pm with an ice cream social and community swim.

The park is the scene for the Morgan Arts Council's summer concert on Saturday at 5:30pm. This week the incredible 10-piece One World Tribe steams up the park with their danceable blend of jazz, reggae, African and Latin music plus some flashy guitar work all devoted to a message of tolerance and justice. Representing a veritable rainbow of colors and cultures, they get their message across just by being together. The incredible music is a bonus. The music goes on even if it rains -- just head a block down the street to the Ice House.

There is more music under the stars on Saturday night at Troubadour Park where the teen sensation and award-winning dobro player, Gaven Largent, shines with the young band Banana Express playing bluegrass. Friday and Saturday nights there is acoustic music on Ambrae House's deck along with steamed crabs and other great food. Fairfax Coffee House has Irish music on Saturday at 8pm when Brendan's Voyage with Dennis Vaughan and Jimmy Rafferty play. Get a sneak preview of Brendan's Voyage at 4pm when they are interviewed by "The Doctor" on 92.9.

One of the hot music events is on Wednesday so you'll have to come early. Country music star, Sean Patrick McGraw, returns to Earth Dog Cafe at 8pm.

Fun entertainment for the whole family can be enjoyed at the vintage Star Theatre where Jim Carey is delightful but still upstaged by the animatronic birds in "Mr. Popper's Penguins." The movie starts at 8pm on Thursday through Sunday nights.

Water fun is everywhere in Berkeley Springs. In the downtown park it's the outdoor pool or simply splashing in the open pools and channels of spring water.
At Cacapon State Park, the lake has a sand beach and paddle boats. There are two rivers -- the Potomac and Cacapon -- perfect for fishing, tubing and boating. The 200 acre Sleepy Creek Lake allows non-gasoline engines and is an ideal fishing spot.

The famous water of Berkeley Springs also stars in several local spas including the newly renovated main Bath House at Berkeley Springs State Park, the historic Roman Bath House, the Country Inn's Five Senses Spa and the fabulous Atasia Spa with elegant steams and whirlpools. Atasia has summer specials that feature massages, facials, pedicures and a special teen facial. Bath House Day Spa also has special packages for treatments along with lodging at Best Western Berkeley Springs Inn. The special benefit in Berkeley Springs is that the unique spring water is freely available to take a few gallons home from the public pump in Berkeley Springs State Park. Learn all the inner secrets of the water by visiting the Museum of the Berkeley Springs on the second floor of the Roman Bath House. The Museum is open 11am to 4pm Friday through Monday.

At Awakening Health Center you can choose from nearly a dozen different practitioners as well as enjoying a FREE Reflexology 15 minute session on Saturday from 11-3. From 1-4:30pm there is a Mer-Ka-Ba Meditation class. For a truly remarkable bodywork experience, try the master of pain relief, Michael Pushkin at Able Body Wellness.

Balance the water with fire on Saturday by visiting Frog Valley Artisans where from 2-5 pm metal artist, Mark Schwenk, demonstrates some remarkable blacksmithing. Mark forges hot metal, heating, bending, twisting and creating right in front of your eyes. You can also browse the shop at Frog Valley with work from a half dozen local artists. There's plenty more shopping downtown offering everything from antiques and art to music and a special buy two get third free in the kids section of Nature Niche. The Ice House Co-op gathers more than 30 area artists in a single place and adds the Artist of the Grid special gallery show as a bonus. On Sunday morning from 10am to 2pm, the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market offers the best fruits, vegetabl es and more that the county has to offer. There's also a Thursday afternoon mini-market. NOTICE that ALL the exciting shops in town are open both Saturday AND Sunday.

No matter what the season, Berkeley Springs ALWAYS offers the best food in the region at more than a dozen eateries from Panorama at the Peak and Tari's Cafe to Lot 12 and Temptations. For a filling and tasty Sunday brunch, try Angus and Ale from 11:30-2pm where traditional breakfast fare like custom made omelets share the buffet with main dishes like beef stroganoff and turkey.

There are beds and pillows for every taste and pocketbook with some that welcome pets; others with outdoor hot tubs; and elegant B&Bs with outstanding breakfasts. Check the full list to get all the details and specials then make your choice. Wherever you stay, eat, shop or bathe -- we know Berkeley Springs will do more than satisfy -- it will make you want to come back again and again. Good thing that Berkeley Springs is closer than anywhere!

 (Information courtesy of Travel Berkeley Springs)