It’s not always about the great outdoor recreation in Big Bear. Sometimes one has to relax and take a stroll into town. This summer the Big Bear Village has started a new trend called “Friday Nights in the Village.” This event is designed to kick start the weekend with live music at various locations throughout the Village. In addition to the variety of live bands and soloists are a handful of strolling performers such as ventriloquists, magicians, clairvoyants, mimes, balloon artists, and face painters. It has a real festive atmosphere, with the likes of a carnival or circus. The abundance of live entertainment on Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue makes shopping or having a beer a much more pleasurable experience. Some of the performers are downright hilarious. Best of all the entertainment is absolutely free.

Most of the restaurants in the Village offer patio seating to give patrons a great view of all of the performers. The restaurants and bars are lively on Friday nights with an ambiance of gaiety and merriment.

Big Bear is notorious for closing its shops early, but during “Friday Nights in the Village” the shops stay open to at least 8 p.m. and I’ve seen some stay open as late as 10 p.m. Shopping in the Village is such a unique experience because the shops, galleries and boutiques sell items that are hard to find in the big cities and even the Internet for that matter. Also “Friday Nights in the Village” offers a diverse selection of vendors who are only in the Village on Friday nights hawking unusual goods and services.

There are only three weeks left to enjoy all the hoopla of “Friday Nights in the Village.” So if you plan to visit Big Bear for weekend getaway be sure to start early with a celebration in the Village on Friday nights. The times are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The final “Friday Nights in the Village” is September 4. However, the festivities have created such a buzz around town that there are talks of making this a weekly event all year round. Come on up and enjoy “Friday Nights in the Village.”

TGIF,
Daniel Pea