There will be German singing and dancing, bands, and a beer garden. Thousands of people are expected to attend, and there will be over 200 booths with local merchants and institutions represented. Amusement park rides will be available.

Present at the event will be a major sponsor, “Big” John Haedrich of the widely known European deli Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad. Also present will be the major founder of the Encinitas Oktoberfest, Edgar Engert.

There will be lots of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family, so come to Encinitas Oktoberfest!

The Shuttle will run every weekend through Labor Day, from 11am to 9pm, with hourly stops. Look for the colorful Coast Cruiser Bust Stop signs at 11 stops along the coast.

A nominal fare will be collected at either $1.00 per ride or $5.00 for a weekend pass.  Passes can be purchased at the Cardiffe 101 Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Downtown Encinitas Main Street Association and the Leucadia 101 Main Street offices.

The bus runs on bio-fuel and is part of the city’s Greening our Community efforts, intended to help promote movement between all three coastal communities while reducing traffic congestion. Take advantage of this to see the beautiful beaches, shopping, and restaurants of Encinitas and Cardiff.

Beautifying Carpentier Parkway has been a longtime project of the Cardiff Botanical Society, a committee of the Cardiff 101 Chamber of Commerce that leases the land from the North County Transit District.

The park, a patch of colorful wildflowers and native plants, is sandwiched between San Elijo Avenue and the railroad tracks and stretches from Birmingham to Chesterfield drives; providing a popular pathway for area residents who bike, jog or walk dogs along the high-traffic route.

In addition to reflecting the uniqueness and independence of the beach town, the spruced-up parkway adds to the aesthetics and appeal of surrounding businesses.  Businesses that look out on this now have a beautiful ocean view.

Volunteers pitch in the last Saturday of each month to help keep the parkway from becoming debris-laden and overgrown by weeds.   The success of the project depends on plant and monetary donations from the community, as well as the manpower of interested and caring community members.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the park and always welcome!

To get involved, just show up at one of the monthly community cleanup days on the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.

Don’t have the time or physical abilities to help?  No problem!  Call (760) 436-0431 and find out what you can do to help.

Cardiff Dog Days of Summer Looking for something fun to do with your dog?  How about a little exercise, socialization and bonding in addition to FUN?  Come enjoy dog contests, vendors displaying the latest in custom pet and dog products, and animal adoptions.  For a list of participants, visit www.cardiffdogdaysofsummer.com. August 8, 10am to 3pm

Fairy Festival Celebrate summer with song, dance, stories and crafts at Quail Botanical Gardens. Look for photo opportunities with Queen Tatiana and King Oberon, and of course, beware the impish Puck!  Costumes are encouraged and don’t forget to bring your camera!  For information, www.QBGardens.org.  August 8, 10am to 2pm

Garden Expressions featuring Pearl Fryar and Selected Regional Artists The Gardens will be buzzing with artists of every kind, creating and selling their work.  Children’s art activities will be offered for a small fee.  “A Man Named Pearl” will be shown throughout the event and Pearl will demonstrate his amazing ability to turn ordinary plants into fanciful creations. Free with admission to Gardens. For information, www.QBGardens. August 23, 11am to 6pm

Classic Car Cruise Nights The streets of Downtown Encinitas rock and roll when the Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Nights come to Downtown.  Placed in the setting of Downtown Encinitas, historic cars, a historic road and an award winning downtown are an unbeatable combination. Cars park along Hwy 101 between “D” Street and the Lumberyard for public display.  Live music plays in front of Encinitas Smog at 682 S. Coast Hwy 101. For information, www.encinitas101.com. August 27, 6-9pm

20th Annual Taste of Main Street One of the largest and most successful events of its kind in the County. 34 participating restaurants offer delicious samples of a vast variety of food encompassing numerous taste sensations. Tickets are $25, strictly limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are unable to get a ticket, come downtown anyway to mingle with friends, listen to good music and enjoy a meal at any of the featured restaurants. For information, www.encinitas101.com.  August 27, 6-9pm

5th Annual LeucadiART Walk “101 artists” displaying art in all media along the west side of Highway 101 in Leucadia.  Free and fun for the whole family. There will be art demos, live entertainment, children’s activities, and new this year, wine tasting!  The Coast Cruiser shuttle bus will be free to the public for that day only. Participants are encouraged park at the Encinitas Civic Center and Coaster Station parking lots on Vulcan at D Street, where a shuttle bus stop will be located. For information, www.leucadia101.com.  August 30, 10am to 5pm