From basketball to garden blooms, from car cruises to carnivals, here are some suggestions for summer fun right in our back yard:

Carrick/South Side

Citiparks recreation centers offer basketball, aerobics, arts & crafts, field trips and other activities at varied times Monday through Saturday, although offerings vary by location: Phillips Park rec center, 201 Parkfield St., Carrick, 412-885-7445; and Ormsby rec center, 79 S. 22nd St., South Side, 412-488-8306.

Clairton

Clairton Volunteer Fire Department will host a Firemen's Fair from Aug. 16 to 19 at Clairton Park, off Route 885, with rides, live music and more. Hours are: 7 p.m. Aug. 16 and 17; 6 p.m. Aug. 18, starting with a parade around the park; and 6 p.m. Aug. 19, following a car show at the park lodge from noon to 6 p.m. Fireworks will end the fair at 10 p.m. Aug. 19.

Collier

Venture Outdoors sponsors three-hour Adventure Bike Tours along the Montour Trail from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, plus July 29 and Aug. 26. Each ride covers a 15- to 20-mile route through 12 towns in Allegheny and Washington counties. Meet at the Walkers Mill parking lot, off Noblestown Road, Collier. Cost is $30 nonmembers; $18 members; $8 bike rental per trip. To register, call 412-255-0564, ext. 21; for program information, ext. 28 or visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.

Dormont

Have some bloomin' fun at the Dormont Main Street Garden Tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15, rain or shine. Visit beautiful gardens at historic homes. Cost is $10, with proceeds to benefit the Main Street Program for Business District Revitalization. For tickets, call Joan at 412-341-6733.

Weekly Day Camps are offered from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 17 at Dormont Recreation Center, for borough youths up to age 14. Programs include: Outdoor Adventures; Get Fit; Water Fun/Oceanic Discovery; Animal Safari; Beads, Beads, Beads; and more. Cost is $75 per week, plus a $10 sign-up fee. A new option this year is early drop-off from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and late pickup from 3:30 to 5 p.m., for an additional $12.50 per week. For more or to register, call 412-561-8900, ext. 227.

Duquesne/West Mifflin

Duquesne-West Mifflin Boys and Girls Club, 29 N. Third St., Duquesne, offers a Summer Camp from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Aug. 10. Activities include games, a tech center, arts & crafts, drug and alcohol prevention, special speakers and more. Children must become club members, for $25, to attend the camp. Camp cost is $30 a week; scholarships are available. To register or for more, call 412-466-8262.

Elizabeth Township

An exhibition farm of sheep, pigs, cows, goats, horses, bunnies, plus a duck pond, are available for enjoying at Allegheny County's Round Hill Park, 651 Round Hill Road. Picnic tables and playground facilities are also available. Visitors can bring bread to feed the ducks. The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk daily. Tours are available for groups of 15 or more. Call 412-384-4701.

Jefferson Hills

The borough and Recreation Authority will co-host a summer recreation program from 9 a.m. to noon July 9 to Aug. 3 at four borough parks: Beedle Park, Gill Hall Park, 885 Park and Tepe Park. Cost is $10 through 8 p.m. today, and $15 afterward. Register at Jefferson Hills Library from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 412-655-7741.

The borough's 35th annual Community Day will be from 1 to 10 p.m. Aug. 11 at Andrew Reilly Park on Route 885, with Zambelli fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Features will include a Velcro wall, obstacle course, a computer for genealogy research, and live music by Soul Village, and Todd Jones & Southern Blue. There are tentative plans to include an adult coed softball tournament and community market.

McKeesport

A Marina Hot Boat Show & Party at the McKees Point Marina, 100 Fifth Ave., will start at noon Aug. 11 and include live entertainment and refreshments for sale. A river parade of hot boats -- high performance and custom -- from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio will begin around 4 p.m. Admission is $5. For more, call Jessie at 412-678-6979.

A city-sponsored carnival continues at 6 p.m. today through Saturday at Helen Ritchie Field, across from Lake Emily, with rides, a petting zoo, games and fireworks. Free admission; an all-day ride pass is available for $10.

The 2007 International Village will be from 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 14 to 16 at Stephen Barry Field. Admission is $2. There will be Slovak, Ukrainian, Greek and a plethora of other ethnic foods, plus ethnic dancing.

For more, including free concerts (June 29, July 8 and 22, Aug. 5 and 19) at the Renziehausen Park band shell, call the city recreation department at 412-675-5068.

Mount Oliver

The Mount Oliver Hook and Ladder Company will sponsor its annual Community Days celebration at 6 p.m. July 17 to 21 at Transverse Park, off Rustic Avenue. There will be live entertainment, bingo and more. Call 412-431-8107.

Mt. Lebanon

The 12th annual Mt. Lebanon Classic Car Show and Street Festival along the Washington Road business district will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 1, rain or shine. Car show judging will begin at noon. Proceeds will benefit the Mt. Lebanon Police Crime Prevention Unit's programs for drug and alcohol abuse education. Registration cost for show participants is $7 in advance; $10 show day. Free admission for spectators. For more, call 412-343-4068.

The municipality's recreation department will sponsor free concerts at 7:30 p.m. in Mt. Lebanon Park, Cedar Boulevard: Key West Express (a Jimmy Buffet tribute band), July 15; and Ruff Creek (a country band), July 29.

A Dive-in Movie/Pool Party at 8 p.m. July 20 at the outdoor swimming pool costs $1 a person or $3 a family.

Also, First Fridays, the Washington Road street festivals, will continue July 6 and Aug. 3, with live entertainment. And weekly Sidewalk Saturdays include a farmers' market from 8 a.m. to noon and a Sounds on Washington concerts in Clearview Commons. For specific entertainment and more, visit www.mtlebanon.org or call 412-343-3400.

Peters

Free summer concerts at 7 p.m. at Peterswood Park's outdoor amphitheater will include: Mercedez, July 11; Coz Serrapere (a tribute to Dean Martin) and Dr. Zoot & the Suits, July 25; Tom Watt (The Buffet Man and His Fruitcakes), Aug. 8; and Hard Days Night (Beatles tribute), Aug. 22. Rain site is the high school auditorium.

Recreation programs include:

Kreative Kraft Kamp, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 10-12 (with a Fun in the Sun theme), and July 17-19 (with a Plants and Animals theme), at the Community Recreation Center, Meredith Drive. For ages 5 to 10.

Playground Pals (for ages 4 to 10): from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday the weeks of June 25 and July 9, 16, 23, at Elm Grove Park. Includes playground time, group games and arts and craft projects.

Weekly program cost is $35 for residents, $52.50 nonresidents. To register or for more, stop at the township recreation center; call 724-942-5000; or visit www.peterstownship.com.

Pleasant Hills

The borough's Community Day Aug. 18 will include: a Boy Scout Troop 204-sponsored pancake breakfast from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mowry Park; the seventh annual 5K Race and two-mile walk at 9 a.m.; a 10 a.m. street parade with professional judges; a festival from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. with food, vendors, games, live entertainment, a petting zoo and more; and a grand finale fireworks extravaganza at 9:45 p.m. For more, visit www.pleasanthillscommunityday.com.

Scott

A Pool Appreciation Day from 1 to 9 p.m. July 30 at the community swimming pool, 2600 Old Greentree Road, is the township's way of thanking children and adults who use the pool. It will include: a water slide contest from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.; land races, 2:15 p.m.; inner tube races, 3 p.m.; a money hunt for children, 5 p.m., and more. Family night swim will be from 6 to 9 p.m., with a poolside disc jockey at 8 p.m. Free hot dogs, sodas and snacks from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Call 412-279-0633.

A township-sponsored Play Camp from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, next week to July 27 in Scott Township Park will include: a talent show (10 a.m. Monday), swim party (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 27), arts & crafts, organized sports, street bowling, water balloon toss, bicycle and fire safety presentations, and more. Open to Chartiers Valley School District children who have completed kindergarten through grade six, and children who reside in the Carnegie area. For registration and more, call 412-279-0633.

South Fayette

A fledgling group called the Street Hockey League is forming teams for summer recreational play up to three times a week at Fairview Park. It's free and open to individuals (age 12 and up) as well as families/groups. Interested players are required to bring only a hockey stick; a net, hockey balls and score sheets will be provided. Players can wear shoes or skates. For more or to register, visit www.shl.memebot.com or send e-mail to Steve at swwman@aol.com.

South Park

Allegheny County's South Park offers park-sponsored and other fun:

The park's nature center offers: Wildlife Photography, at 10 a.m. June 23; Stargazing, at 9 p.m. July 6; Butterflies, at 10 a.m. July 21; and Wild Edibles, at 10 a.m. Aug. 4. For more, call 412-835-0143.

Model airplane enthusiasts can use the park's Model Airplane Field off Sesqui Drive (across from the Wave Pool), to fly electric or glow-powered model aircraft with wingspans of 12 to 80 inches. The field is open from 10 a.m. to dusk daily and maintained by SPARKS (South Park Area Kontrol Society), a model airplane club, which has priority use of the field on weekends. All field users must have a permit, license and insurance. Call SPARKS at 412-833-6497, after 5 p.m.; or the park office at 412-835-4810.

The park also offers: Free concerts at the amphitheater, varied dates through August; Allegheny County Mountain Bike Festival, 11 a.m. June 23; and the seventh annual Edible Flowers Food Fest, 7 p.m. July 17. For more, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/spfac.aspxor call 412-835-4810.

Venture Outdoors offers a Wine and Cheese Hike from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 that starts at the park's Grant Pavilion. This beginner-friendly two- to three-mile hike in the woods ends with a wine- and cheese-tasting session. Cost is $45 for members; $25 nonmembers. To register, call 412-255-0564, ext. 21; for program information, ext. 28. For other trips and activities, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.

Ready for a game of Garden Varmint Toss? Or Knock About Man? Visitors who attend the Summer Faire at the park-based Oliver Miller Homestead, Stone Manse Drive, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 24 can participate in these and other pioneer-day games. Donation: $1. Call 412-835-1554.

Upper St. Clair

The Regional Environmental Education Center offers programs in Boyce-Mayview Park, such as:

Eco-Kids Summer Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16 to 20, for children who have completed grades 1 to 3. Cost is $95. Campers will plant a native plants garden, hunt for a fox den, make bird nests and more.

Full Moon Hikes, 9 to 10 p.m. July 30 and Aug. 28, $2 a person.

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania's Raptor Identification in the Field program for adults, 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 22. Cost is $8.

Advance registration is required. For more, visit www.regionaleec.org or call 412-838-0064.

The township Department of Recreation and Leisure Services offers:

Little Panther Paws program for children at least 3 years old and potty-trained, 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, next week through Aug. 3, at the recreation center/municipal park pavilion. Topics include: Dino Dig; Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets; Nuts About Nature; Down on the Farm; Fun in the Sun; and Once Upon a Time. Weekly cost is $80 resident/$100 nonresident. Registration required.

A large, communitywide annual flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 14, rain or shine, in the Upper St. Clair High School Stadium parking lot.

For more, visit www.twpusc.org/rec or call 412-831-9000, ext. 256.

West Mifflin

Looking for admission discounts to Kennywood Amusement Park? Next week's special promotion, Moms Rule!, from Tuesday to June 29, gives mothers of any age free park admission when accompanied by their child/children. Also, throughout the season the park, located on Route 837, offers special Night Rider prices after 5 p.m.: $16 for a regular Funday and Junior Funday (for those shorter than 46 inches) passes; $9 for a Senior Funday (age 55 and older) pass. (That's off the $31 regular, $19 junior and $15 senior pass prices. Admission for children age 2 and younger is free.) Other Funday pass savings: $10 off on WTAE-TV day, on July 12; $8 off during Celebrate America week, from July 1 to 6, with a coupon from participating Giant Eagle locations; $5 off, weekdays only, if you bring an empty can of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew. For park hours and more, visit www.kennywood.com or call 412-461-0500.

White Oak

The Two Rivers Amateur Radio Club will host its 2007 Field Day, a nationwide, 75th anniversary public demonstration of modern emergency capabilities, from 1 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday in an open field off Carpenter Lane, near the water tower, in White Oak Park. The public can meet ham radio operators, learn what amateur radio communications is about, and witness the latest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications. Tours, food and refreshments will be available. For more, call 412-664-1683.

Whitehall

A Community Day carnival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the municipal complex, 100 Borough Park Drive. It will include rides, inflatables, mascots from the Pittsburgh Zoo, and more. A 5K race at 9:15 a.m. will kick off the day.

Free Movie in the Park Nights will be held at dusk on July 10 ("Open Season") and Aug. 14 ("Charlotte's Web") in Brennan Plaza. Bring a blanket. Complimentary popcorn and drinks.

For Whitehall residents only, a six-week, borough-sponsored Day Camp is offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, to July 27 at the borough's five parks. Children age 6-15 can enjoy arts and crafts, sports, pizza parties, cookouts, field trips and more. Free, but registration is required.

For more, call 412-334-5646.