Best bets for this weekend

WELCOME TO SUMMER!!!!!!!! Yes, we meant to say it in boldface, all caps, with eight exclamation points. The pendulum has swung like a sledgehammer and summer has arrived with a vengeance (on the Fahrenheit scale). Slather on the sunscreen and get outside to enjoy it. Plenty to do this weekend. Here are some hot tips (so to speak) — and see Weekend Highlight for news about the kickoff events of Seafair, and our related story highlighting this weekend's other top festivals.

Entertainment al fresco: It's high season for outdoor theater, concerts in the park and open-air film series. See free performances of Shakespeare this weekend in Fall City Park, Volunteer Park, Seward Park, Mercer Island's Luther Burbank Park and at Issaquah Community Open Space (details at www.seattleshakespeare.org and www.greenstage.org). There are free outdoor concerts on Seattle's Harbor Steps, in Magnuson Park, on Pier 57, at Ballard Locks, and other venues in Edmonds, SeaTac and Beacon Hill. And look for outdoor cinema in Fremont. For details, see "Performances" in our Weekend Calendar online.

Island getaway: Everett's Jetty Island, a two-mile island with sandy beaches and warm, shallow water, accessible by a free boat ride (small donations encouraged), is open for the summer. A great place to kick back in the sunshine. See www.everettwa.org/default.aspx?ID=503.

Boat lust: Satisfy your craving to admire classic old bullnose Chris Craft cruisers — and their modern-day counterparts — this weekend at the Pacific Northwest Chris Craft Rendezvous, bringing more than 100 boats to Port Orchard Marina. Some will be open for boarding (and it's always cooler on the water). See www.chriscraftrendezvous.com.

Natural fun: Learn about tideline creatures at low tide with Seattle Aquarium naturalists at beaches from Des Moines to Shoreline. Details at www.seattleaquarium.org.

Au natural fun: Grin and bare it at the Skinny Dip Open House at Lake Associates Recreation Club, a clothing-optional resort in Skagit County. Do remember sunscreen for those tender bits. More info at larcnudists.com.

Blooming good times: Catch cooling island breezes during the Bainbridge in Bloom garden tour (gardentour.info), with lectures and a plant sale, or the Vashon Lavender Celebration at Vashon Island Farmers Market (vigavashon.org).