Sept. 16 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events
1. Maritime Festival
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23, rain or shine, Front and Main streets in the Village of Greenport
INFO 631-477-2100, eastendseaport .org.
ADMISSION Free
Ahoy, mateys! That will be the battle cry in the harborside village of Greenport next weekend, as the town celebrates its annual Maritime Festival. It kicks off Saturday with an 11 a.m. parade down Main and Front streets. Visitors can see ships in port such as the schooner Lynx (reserve ahead if you want to take a sail, $35-$65, 866-446-5969).
Around town, you'll find live music, crafts vendors and historic site tours, and the 75-year-old Zaida, which was used in World War II. The weekend benefits the East End Seaport Museum, which is running boat trips out to see its recently restored Long Beach Bar "Bug" Light off Orient Point ($25-$35).
2. Last call -- Nikon Jones Beach
The outdoor amphitheater's summerlong schedule wraps up next weekend with two concerts: a double bill of Kiss and Mötley Crüe at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by a Peter Gabriel concert at 7:30 p.m. next Sunday.
WHEN | WHERE Saturday and Sept. 23, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh
INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com
ADMISSION $106.75-$199 (Kiss/ Mötley Crüe), $39.50-$250 (Peter Gabriel)
3. Jewel -- in Huntington
Primarily known as a singer and songwriter, Grammy-nominated Jewel enters the children's book forum with the release of her new book, "That's What I Do." Inspired by the birth last year of her son, Kase, the lullaby children's music book features illustrations by Amy June Bates and a CD that Jewel sings on. Meet her at a book signing in Huntington.
WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. Thursday, Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington
INFO 631-271-1442, bookrevue.com
ADMISSION Free
4. Sound check
The R&B group New Edition continues its reunion tour with its only area appearance Wednesday at Nassau Coliseum. You could find drama, setbacks and triumphs in their story, but after reuniting at the Essence Music Festival in 2011, the group plans to perform songs from their last album (made in 2004), "One Love," digitally rereleased last year.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nassau Coliseum
INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com
ADMISSION $34.50-$120
5. Truck show
See more than 200 heavy-duty trucks and 18-wheel tractors on display, decorated with lights, customized interiors, chromed bumpers and train horns at a truck show and festival at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. The event also includes craft and food vendors and children's activities. The rigs will leave in a convoy parade at 7 p.m.
WHEN | WHERE 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sept. 23, 100 Arrival Ave., Ronkonkoma, Federal Trade Zone entrance, parking lot 10
INFO 631-841-2640, convoytruck.com
ADMISSION $8 spectators (free younger than 12), $10-$25 to exhibit truck, custom car or bike
6. Bret Michaels
The lead vocalist for Poison and a reality show star (he won ABC's "Celebrity Apprentice") continues on his "Get Your Rock On 2012" tour with rock band Quatela opening a show Thursday at NYCB Theatre at Westbury.
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Thursday, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com
ADMISSION $49.50-$69.50
7. Jazz Fest
If jazz is your thing, the Islip Arts Council's weekend-long festival is an opportunity to take advantage of a full lineup of concerts. Guitarist Nick Russo plays a 7 p.m. show Friday at Dowling College's Fortunoff Hall ($20 includes refreshments) in Oakdale. Saturday and Sept. 23, the musical showcase moves to the East Islip Public Library for a series of free performances from 1 to 6 p.m. both days.
WHEN | WHERE Friday-Sept. 23, Dowling College in Oakdale and the East Islip Public Library, 381 E. Main St.
INFO 631-224-5420, islipartscouncil .org.
ADMISSION Free
8. Bike to the beach
Take a bike ride along the bike path east of Wantagh Parkway where almost the entire path runs along the water -- with a leader from the Seatuck Environmental Association. You'll get views of channels and islands, and learn about the many marshes, waterways and tidal flats you pass on the flat trail ending at the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach. If you want to stay at the beach, bring a lock and park your bike at a rack.
WHEN | WHEN 1-4 p.m. Saturday, meet at the start of the bike path at Cedar Creek Park, Merrick Road, Seaford. Preregistration required.
INFO 631-581-6908, seatuck.org
ADMISSION Free
9. Pickle Festival
The tradition continues, as the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association brings out the best and brightest pickles. You'll find barrels filled with freshly made kosher and garlic dills along with pickle flavored popcorn and pickle ornaments. The historic John Gardiner working farm hosts the event and offers other local products such as jams, jellies and farm-grown veggies.
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, John Gardiner Farm, 900 Park Ave., Greenlawn. Rain date Sunday.
INFO 631-754-1180, gcha.info
ADMISSION $3 (free younger than 12)
10. Lego workshop
It's a novel way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Kids, along with their families, can get their hands on more than 60,000 Lego blocks to build replicas of historic and civic buildings seen around the greater Stony Brook area. Once it's complete, each family gets a "treasure map" to go out and find the actual building they constructed.
WHEN | WHERE 2-4 p.m. Sept. 23, Ward Melville Heritage Organization Educational and Cultural Center, Main Street, Stony Brook. Registration required.
INFO 631-751-2244, wmho.org
ADMISSION $40 per family