There really are few places like Whidbey Island during summertime.

The weather is beautiful, the water is warm — almost — and there is always something to do over the weekend.

This Saturday and Sunday, for example, islanders have their choice of a handful of unique local events.

A celebration of everything Scottish takes place during the Whidbey Island Highland Games today at Greenbank Farm. The one-day event features athletic competitions, Highland dancers, bagpipers, food, music and more.

Cost for the Highland Games is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, military and students. Children under 4 years old get in free.

Also Saturday, Meerkerk Gardens, located just south of Greenbank, will offer an afternoon of bluegrass starting at 11 a.m. with the last band scheduled to perform at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults. Kids get in free.

Coupeville is hosting the annual Arts and Crafts Festival, one of the town’s best annual events, on Saturday and Sunday.

Hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The second annual Race the Reserve half marathon will also take off this weekend, starting from Mickey Clark Field behind Coupeville Elementary Field at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.

The event also includes 10K and 5K races; those begin at 9 a.m.

And in Oak Harbor, thousands of spectators are expected to attend the 28th North Whidbey Car Show Saturday at Windjammer Park.

About 250 cars, trucks and motorcycles will be entered in the show and competing for trophies. Gates open at 7 a.m. with the trophy presentations set for 4 p.m.

The city will also host the sixth annual Fidalgo Avenue Block Party and Pig Roast, which will take place from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11.

And of course, beginning next week, is the island’s best event of all, the Whidbey Island Area Fair.

Four days of fun, the 89th fair kicks off Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and runs through Sunday until 7 p.m.

Pie-eating contests, knitting demonstrations, good food, music, log rolling and too many 4-H events to list — there is even a parade.

But the activities at all these island events are more than just a chance to get out and enjoy the sun.

We bump into friends and neighbors, catch up on gossip and eat too much. We laugh and smile and lasting memories are made.

These are opportunities for community, and remind us who we are and why we’re here.

Indeed, there are few better places in the world to be than Whidbey Island in summertime.