Boaters enjoy sounds of Lake Oswego's Hot August Nights

1. It’s a Margaritaville state of mind. Setting sun, boats on the lake, forecast in the 80s, friends gathered to listen to music—who has any cares? That’s about as close to a carefree island lifestyle as you can get this side of the Caribbean.

 2. This year’s featured band is The Cheeseburgers. Billing themselves as a self contained party island, this band pays tribute to Buffett’s mindset with an eclectic mix of Caribbean, cowboy and rock n’ roll music, including a long list of Buffett’s hits, highlighted by, you guessed it, Margaritaville.

 3. It’s a great excuse for happy hour. There’s a reason Buffett’s website is titled, Margaritaville and includes recipes for island-inspired drink concoctions. Chances are some of those libations will be seen aboard the more than 100 boats tied up to take in the show.

 4. Joie de vivre. On his website, Buffett is hailed as a storyteller whose tales show that the French term for “the joy of living” is the most important thing in life. Take in the scene at the lake entrance to Half Moon Bay and you’ll see that many Lake Oswegans on a Hot August Night must agree with Buffett.

SO JOIN THE PARTY! Find a friend who has a boat and do like Jimmy Buffett—see if you can get invited. Promise you’ll return the favor—maybe offer to treat them to Lake Oswego’s Riverfest at Foothills Park on August 27. But hurry– the 4^th annual Hot August Nights Concert is being held this Saturday, August 13 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the lake entrance to Half Moon Bay. Boats can tie up starting at 3:00 p.m. with room for about 125 boats. Bring your fins–good chance you’ll want to join in if the Cheeseburgers start singing “fins to the left, fins to the right.” Sponsored by the Lake Corporation and the Oswego Lake House.

 You have a favorite way that you pursue “joie de vivre” in Lake Oswego?        I’d love to hear about it.