Big Bear offering free activities and attractions

Big Bear Lake is helping visitors keep vacation expenses down with a variety of free summer activities, attractions and events.

Family movies on the big screen, live entertainment in the Village, lakeside barbecue dinners, 30-minute nature walks, screenings of independent films, a colorful parade on the main drag, a showcase of antique autos and a free day of fishing are among the fun Big Bear events on tap this summer.

Following are just a few of the fun — and free — Big Bear events planned.

• 20th Annual Antique Car Club Fun Run with approximately 500 roadsters, hot rods, classics and antiques lining the streets of Big Bear Village on August 8 - 9.

• Art on the Lake has over 50 artists from throughout Southern California exhibiting their work August 15 - 16.

• Visitors can view vintage wooden boats of yesteryear at the Annual Antique Wooden Boat Show August 23 - 24.

• On Sept. 7, Labor Day, anglers can Fish for Free, which means a fishing license is not required to fish the lake on this date.

• Los Vaqueros Riding Arena located on the east side of Big Bear Valley has Cattle Events that are free to spectators on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m.

• Movies Under the Stars. Mom and dad will want to pack the car with chairs, blankets and goodies to enjoy a family outing to watch “Inkheart” on a lakefront big screen September 9.

• Guests who come up early for a weekend getaway can enjoy Friday Nights in the Village. Held in Big Bear Village from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. through September 11, free family entertainment includes balloon artists, a bounce house, caricature artists, magicians, ventriloquists and live musical performances.

• Sports enthusiasts can line the streets to watch runners compete in Run the Bear - Big Bear Lake Marathon on Sept. 12.

• The 10th Annual Big Bear Lake International Film Fest gives movie buffs chance to view screenings of independently produced feature films, shorts, animation films and documentaries at no charge Sunday, Sept. 20.

• The Big Bear Discovery Center offers a plethora of free activities each Saturday and Sunday. Some of the complimentary activities offered include guided nature walks, map and compass classes, birdhouse building sessions, moonlight hikes and slide presentations about wildlife.

To learn more, visit www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-424-4232.