Most people think of Big Bear Discovery Center for their daytime adventure—hiking and canoe tours, map, compass and gold panning—but it’s also a happening spot after dark in July.

    The highlight is the 2nd annual “Bluegrass, Bluejeans and Beyond” set for July 25 (story below), but there’s other activities too. Like the “Music in the Mountains” summer series, with two July events.

    First up are the Doo-Wah Riders on Friday, July 3, high-energy country served with a Cajun twist that gets the holiday weekend off with a bang. Hits on the Texas music charts include “Tonight She Just Wants to Dance,” and the band’s tight musicianship and powerful arrangements of classic, contemporary and original songs has made them favorites everywhere they go...including last year at a Discovery Center appearance, which kept the audience on its feet for two sets and beyond.

    The California band gets audiences up to dance when it plays classics like “Your Cheatin’ Heart” by Hand Williams, Asleep at the Wheel’s “Boogie Back to Texas,” “Whiskey River” by Willie Nelson or its own signature tunes. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” is a special treat as Keith Niehenke goes to town on the fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

    The Doo-Wah Riders have appeared in concert with such legends as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, Alabama, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss. The band has also recorded with legendary Byron Berline on his Grammy nominated CD, “Fiddle and a Song.”

    Opening will be The Sit-Ins playing classic rock, bluegrass and country. Tickets are $15, $10 teen, 12 and under free.

    On Saturday, July 11, it’s “Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry” starring Big Bear’s own Nancy Walker. Featuring the music of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Johnny Cash, June-Carter Cash and others, Walker and Company recreates “country’s most famous stage” in a show that began as a radio broadcast in 1925 and has since become a country music phenomenon. Tickets are $20, $10 teen, 12 and under free.

    Both concerts are held in Discovery Center’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater under the pine trees. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with shows at 7, and beer, wine and margarita bar is available along with sandwiches, salads, snacks and water.

    Sit around the campfire and be entertained by the “stars” after dark during Campfire Series programs. Join Forest Service biologist Linda Stamer for her popular program on bats, “Creatures of the Night,” on Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. as she dispels myths about these flying mammals found in the San Bernardino Mountains.

    The Astronomical Society’s star party at 8 p.m. on July 17 is a highlight, as guests Sit around the campfire and learn about the solar system, stars, planets, moons and nebulas. Afterwards they peer through powerful telescopes into the heavens.

    “Critters of the Forest” with animals from the zoo is on July 31 from 7-8 p.m. Hour-long plus campfire programs cost $5, under 5 free.

    Daytime activities are on tap too. Every Saturday and Sunday sees free naturalist-led Nature Walks around Discovery Center’s forested grounds at 1 and 2 p.m., 30-minute adventures for the family.

    Every weekend sees a range of programs on tap for the entire family. Like the popular Gold Panning sessions for children held Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-noon. Youngsters use real mining equipment and even find a little “Fool’s Gold” in their pans that they can take home, along with a certificate. Cost is just $3.

    Learn a skill that might save your life out in the woods during map and compass programs from noon-1 p.m. each Saturday...for free! Then build—and launch—High Flying Rockets from recycled materials...some of these missiles really climb high! Classes are free.

    Enjoy a naturalist guided hike along the Pacific Crest Trail—not all 2,638 miles of it as the trail runs from Mexico to Canada, but scenic portions of its 39 Big Bear miles—as you discover local flora, fauna and history along the way. Each PCT tour, set for July 2, 16 and 30, and August 13 and 27, is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and includes gourmet lunch and transportation to trailhead. $30 ages 10 and up.

    Grout Bay Canoe Tours are leisurely two-hour tours led by naturalists who instruct even raw beginners on the fine art of paddling. Then the group heads out to the water in search of beaver, great blue herons and baby ducks. Along the way paddlers learn about the history of the lake, gold mining, and the various animals found here. Tours are held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4-6 p.m. plus 9-11 a.m. Sunday, and the $25 cost ($15 ages 6-16) includes canoe rental, water and snack.

    For early morning fun catch Kayak Tours. Head out to Grout Bay after a quick paddling lesson when the lake is calm and tranquil in search of wildlife, sights and sites. Outings are from 9-11 a.m. Saturdays and 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $30.

    Enjoy a full slate of entertainment when Big Bear Discovery Center presents its 2nd annual “Bluegrass, Bluejeans and Beyond” on Saturday, July 25.

    Celebrate Irish, bluegrass, folk and country music from 4-10 p.m. with nonstop entertainment that includes last year’s breakout band the Ramblin’ Rangers, who by day really are San Bernardino National Forest rangers. Also on tap are Sligo Rags, the Black Irish Band, Scott Gates, Nathan McEuen and Chuck Hailes, plus Silverado Bluegrass.

    The Johnny and June-Carter Cash tribute “The Man in Black Show” from Las Vegas closes the fundraiser with his slew of legendary hits, plus special tribute guests. Tickets are $25. Twelve and under are $15, or free with a sales receipt in any amount from Riffenburgh Lumber Co. Gates open at 3 p.m.

    Jumpstart the Festival on Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m. with a free show featuring Sligo Rags at the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Northwoods Resort, overlooking the pond. Northwoods guests and Bluegrass, Bluejeans and Beyond ticket holders get preferred seating, but really there’s only awesome seats and admission is free.

    Call Big Bear Discovery Center at (909) 866-3437.