SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011 >>>

1. Winter. The season is just too damned short to cram in all the necessary slope runs. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue this year. Crystal Mountain ski resort will finally close today after the crazy guy in shorts and a jester hat hits the bottom at around 4:15 p.m. He'll be a little wasted after an official 3 p.m. toast to the record-breaking season at the summit. Fifty-one feet of snow this year people. Fifty-one feet.

2. If you've got a girlfriend, you probably know what season it is: the free outdoor festival season. You've probably hit just about every free music-in-the-park event, free drum circle and free farmers market since April. Well, this weekend prepare for a trip over the bridge, for the annual Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival, where 135 artists (plus the obligatory vendors), live music and family activities will take over Judson Street in downtown Gig Harbor from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Go ahead, get your face painted.

3. 7 Seas Brewing isn't just the maker of delicious craft beer. It isn't just at the forefront of the "beer in a can is cool again" movement. It's a local business doing things the right way and an entity that knows how to party - as will be proven when 7 Seas throws a two-year anniversary bash in its parking lot from noon to 8 p.m. Expect beer, barbecue and live music by Perry Acker, Shy Boys, China Davis and SweetKiss Momma.

4. The last time Tacoma's energized country bar, Big Whisky Saloon, held a 100.7 FM The Wolf-hosted "Redneck Parking Lot Party" a ton of people showed up to suck up live country music, dance on the outdoor dance floor, drink cold beer, eat barbecue and ride "Bubba the Mechanical Bull." This year, they've dropped the "Redneck" title, added Rock Bot Karaoke and invited hometown heroes Aces Up to whoop things up. Gates open at 5 p.m.

5. A big band at Jazzbones on a Saturday night? Hell yes. Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra will cram together on the Sixth Avenue joint's stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Let's swing, baby!

PLUS: More events in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Wine tastings!

LINK: We're on the Facebook