11The festival will offer a huge variety of activities for people of all ages, from the expected (food vendors) to the wacky (human foosball games).

Students over 21 can start off the weekend with a visit to the beverage tent on Friday, while three bands will entertain from noon through 11 p.m. with the “Good Ole Rock ‘N Roll” theme.

Time & Matt will play from noon to 3 p.m., followed by Shirey Brothers from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and The Shiznit from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday will also include food, games and inflatables for children, pet adoption and more.

Know a woman who has aged better than fine wine? Nominate her to compete in the “Shoreline’s Finest Cougar Pageant” starting at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. The ladies must be at least 45 years of age and single, widowed or divorced. The finest cougar will win a Cougar Cruise on the Royal Caribbean cruise line, a “Shoreline’s Finest Cougar” sash and more.

The Shoreline Spectacular moved to its current location for this fall to give the festival a better area to get bigger each year.

“We anticipate a fantastic 2010 festival!” says the festival planners on the Web site. “Our goal (in moving to a new location) is to revitalize and rejuvenate the spirit of the festival.”

A main attraction on Saturday will be the Human Foosball games from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Arts and crafts vendors will be back from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well. The Poker Walk will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the downtown bars.

At night, the Alden Nash Band will open for Backwoods Thunder, who plays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Backwoods Thunder is a four-member country band who describe themselves as “from the Backwoods of West Michigan” on their MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/backwoodsthunder.

The band prides itself on being a great mixture of country and rock and roll, and the members urge fans to “Step into the WOODS … hear the THUNDER!” For those unfamiliar with the group, sample music can be played on its MySpace page.

During this same day, the Governor’s Cup Sailboat Race also takes place.

Fireworks will light up the lakeshore at dusk on Sunday. They will take place over Muskegon Lake and can also be seen from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

The festivities will continue on Labor Day with the Labor Day Parade at 11 a.m. Hungry students can take part in the Hot Dog Eating Contest at 2 p.m., and the Jager Girls will pass out freebies from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Holiday Inn is hosting “The Party after the Party” starting at 11 p.m. on Sunday and Monday nights as well.

The Shoreline Spectacular festival will take place from Friday through Monday in downtown Muskegon, on Western Ave. General admission is free, though there are also many vendors with food and arts and crafts available for sale.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.shorelinespectacular.com.

lakerlife@lanthorn.com