It's been sooooo steamy this summer ... how steamy?

	Dan Marsula, Post-Gazette Click photo for larger image. More Summer Times Movies -- The fast and the funny Festivals -- All's fair in August Free shows -- No cover, just fun Pop music -- Playing it all outside Free films in the great outdoors

Well, there's just the slightest chance that some of us might actually be happy to see the days getting shorter and the Black & Gold strapping on the pads.

Or maybe not.

But whether you're burned out on summer or still living it up, you might as well try to get every drop.

Here's a list of ideas for a late-summer rally of fun

1. Movie party at the wave pool! Show up at Sandcastle around 7 on a Sunday night, take an early evening swim and then hang out at the Wave Pool for one of the Dive-In Movies. Coming attractions: "Curious George" (July 30), "Yours, Mine & Ours" (Aug. 6) and "Madagascar" (Aug. 13).

2. The ol' concert in the park. Not only are the county parks concerts free, but you can take what you want to eat and drink, and they don't make you empty all your pockets, lift your shirt and spin around at the gate. Upcoming highlights are Tift Merritt at South Park (Aug. 11) and David Sanborn at Hartwood Acres (Aug. 13).

3. The Pirates have struggled so mightily that if you're going go to PNC Park, you might as well get a free souvenir. The second weekend of August is a Heritage Weekend, when you can get a Satchel Paige Bobblehead (Aug. 11) or a Homestead Grays cap (Aug. 12).

4. Kennywood is already thinking ahead to those Phantom Fright Nights. Before that, though, the park has a few parades in store. The Fall Fantasy Parades begin Aug. 15 and run nightly at 8 through Sept 2.

5. The city's newest jewel is Schenley Plaza in the heart of Oakland. But be careful there on Aug. 10 as there are "Stalking Leopards" up on the big screen. It's part of the National Geographic Film Series, beginning at dusk.

6. For a little exercise, park your car on Washington's Landing and take a relaxed stroll on the path around the Allegheny River island.

7. Before summer ends, it's required that everyone in the Tri-State area sees The PovertyNeck Hillbillies. The country hunks are playing virtually every county fair between now and September. A lot of them have monster trucks, too. Check out the festivals section for details.

8. Take a walk on the Shady-side the weekend of Aug. 11, when the annual dueling arts festivals hit Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue.

9. Go underground and visit Laurel Caverns, a 435-acre geological park with the state's largest cave, 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, just east of Uniontown (724-438-6090).

10. Get up early on Sunday, spread some cream cheese on some bagels and head for Mellon Park for Bach, Beethoven & Brunch. There are three more left. See the free concert section for dates.

11. Join the kids and run through the fountain at PPG Place -- preferably after office hours.

12. Haven't had enough Clarks? Catch Pittsburgh's biggest band at the Westmoreland County Fair on Aug. 21.

13. Take the kids to the Dependable Drive-In in Moon -- see "Monster House" or "Pirates" -- and try to make it through the second feature.

14. Don't have one of those fancy boats stocked with umbrella drinks and bikini-clad women? Get on the rivers anyway via the Gateway Clipper. There are Sunday Ice Cream Social Cruises at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays (412-355-7980).

15. They don't even give you peanuts any more on most flights, right? This one has ... snakes! "Snakes on a Plane" opens in theaters Aug. 18..

16. Take a run through the park -- Frick Park -- on Aug. 26 and enjoy jazz, steel drum and bagpipe music along the way. It's the Regent Square Run Around the Square 5K. Register at www.regentsquare.com or 412-422-6562.

17. Shakespeare in the Park? Almost. Quantum Theatre does offer Arthur Miller in the Park. "The Crucible" opens today and runs through Aug. 20 at Mellon Park, Shadyside.

18. Close out the summer on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-3) with a road trip to the Johnstown FolkFest. Acts include Sleepy LaBeef, Terrence Simien, Maia Sharp and Billy Price. Go to www.jaha.org.

19. Catch a double bill of music legends -- either John Fogerty and Willie Nelson at the Chevrolet Amphitheatre (Aug. 2) or Tom Petty and the Allman Brothers (Aug. 16).

20. Finally, enjoy the great outdoors before you need mittens. Canoe the Allegheny or take a hike at Bear Run. For a slew of options, check out the Venture Outdoors site at www.wpfi.org.