2: Celebrate Independence Day on July 5 this year by boating to the fireworks display at Parkway Marina. Remember to observe the no-wake guidelines. The event, which will include music by The Worx, food, a car show and carousel rides, begins at 2 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk. Admission, free; parking, $10.

3: Buy some worms and fish from your dock. No license required.

4: Looking for an adrenaline rush? Let SML Parasail take you sky high. $65, single; $100, two people. (297-8481)

5: Get a new towable or floatie toy. Bridgewater Marina and Virginia Outdoorsman have the latest and greatest.

6: Have breakfast on your deck.

7: Feed the carp at Bridgewater Marina or Smith Mountain Dock and Lodge.

8: Take an early morning ride in a paddle or pedal craft.

9: Try the Golf/Blaster Boats combo at Hot Shots on Virginia 122. (719-1547)

10: Go swimming at the new beach at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park in Franklin County. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Playground adjacent. (483-9293)

11: Take along a picnic and dine under the pavilion at the community or state park.

12: Take along poles and fish from the pier at the park.

13: Chill out with a flick at Westlake Cinema. Call 721-6326 for movie listings.

14: Hike the trails at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Bedford County.

15: Put up a new flag holder on your dock or deck and display the colors.

16. Star gaze: Try it from a boat drifting in an off-channel cove; it's great to lie down and look up. Remember to leave on your running lights.

17: Summon the Virginia BBQ Boat for dockside service. Look for the boat between Hales Ford Bridge and the Cliffs, or call 263-1673 or 489-1788 to place an order for delivery.

18: Keep binoculars handy for boat spotting. Reward the first person to spot a deck boat, pontoon, tri-toon, ski boat, wakeboard boat, cruiser, runabout, center console, four brands of PWCs, etc.

19: Order out from Hot Shots, the only food-delivery-by-land service at the lake. (719-1547)

20: Sing songs around a shore-side campfire. Make sure it's a fire-safe spot, and keep a bucket of water handy.

21: Visit one of SML's great island beaches and toss a Frisbee in knee-deep water. Take the dog along for a swim.

22: Make boat washing an everyone-participates project. Reward the workers with popsicles.

23: Plan a camp-out in the back yard, on dock or deck. Make up tales about strange happenings at SML.

24: Teach someone to water-ski.

25: Treat a teen to a wakeboard lesson from Wake N Skate. Call Eric at 721-1941 for availability.

26: Hang out at the Cliffs (B28).

27: Find a craggy shoreline and snorkel in the shallows. Visibility isn't ideal, but rock formations can be fun to ogle close up.

28: Boat to a lakefront restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

29: Get down with Fescue (bluegrass) and shag to The Embers (beach music) at the Rotary Club of SML's July 4th Music Festival at Bernard's Landing from 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets, $15.

30: Blow bubbles on the dock or deck (works best on a calm evening).

31: Drift in a cove and swim off the boat. Sit on (or wear) life preservers, trail mooring lines for handholds. Relax or toss a ball back and forth.

32: Learn the lake's history at the Smith Mountain Dam Visitor Center. See how electricity is generated and try the hands-on exhibits. (985-2587)

33: Pull up to the Ice Cream Boat for a frozen treat. Listen for its jingle between Hales Ford Bridge and Vista Point.

34: Try horseback trail riding at Shadow Ridge Stables (721-5120) or at SM Farm and Stables (434-927-5199).

35: Try a Blizzard from Westlake DQ or an ice cream cone from the Ice Cream Cottage or Homestead Creamery.

36: Swim in "costumes" from the old-clothes section of your closets.

37: Serve dinner on the dock. Buy sparklers to burn during dessert. Dispose of sparklers properly; do not throw them into the lake.

38: Visit one of five Bedford County wineries for a free tasting. Visit www.bedfordwinetrail.com for locations and information.

39: Host a "silly dive" contest off your dock for guests/neighborhood kids. Reward prizes for all participants.

40: Play badminton in the yard.

41: Hold a cooling after-dark swim fest off your dock. Be sure to buddy up, wear life preservers, and keep close track of everyone. Light sticks add fun and visibility.

42: Play with water balloons or water guns.

43: Grease a watermelon with Crisco. Throw the melon in the lake, jump in and try to wrestle it back to the dock. Wear old T-shirts to protect swimwear -- it gets messy.

44: Boat or drive to Bridgewater Plaza for pizza and people watching.

45: Order a custom-scene cake from a supermarket bakery with wording that celebrates your guests or favorite weekend activity. Serve as an after-dinner surprise.

46: Golf. There are three miniature golf courses at the lake. Try to master each one.

47: Learn about the lake-area's rich history at Booker T. Washington National Park, which includes a working farm.

48: Buy fashionable new swim/resort wear. Wake N Skate, Bridgewater Sportswear and The Lake Outlet have the latest styles.

49: Take a cruise on the Virginia Dare July 4. The July 5 Fireworks Cruise is already booked. (297-7100)

50: Watch the sun rise or set from the dock.