There's so much to do at the Village of Blue this year, they've taken some events on the road and into other communities to give everyone a piece of the tourism pie.

Apple pie that is.

"We're so excited about our Apple Pie Trail," said Patti Kendall, Manager of Marketing and Events at the Blue Mountain Village Association. "We hadn't really celebrated our location in apple country before. People love it because it brings history, culture, agriculture and food all together."

The trail is very popular and is expanding this year west to Coffin Ridge winery --where they are now making hard and ice ciders. It will also lead people into the heart of Owen Sound as it includes the Farmers' Market, Rocky Raccoon and the Tom Thomson gallery.

"When we created it we thought of sending people out to neighbouring communities," said Kendall, who adds the Village Association has realized visitors may come to Blue Mountain and not even leave the resort to explore the area. "Sometimes people don't even know we're close to Georgian Bay, these kinds of events introduce them to our harbour towns and the surrounding countryside."

The Ontario Ministry of Tourism has taken the hint on this trail package and is now marketing the Apple Pie Trail internationally to German, Japanese and British visitors. The trail "family" and adventures are online at applepietrail.ca.

"We've definitely moved into regional collaboration," explained Kendall, who has received several awards for events started at The Village and taken to the community. "The Peak to Shore event is now in more venues as well."

This third annual music and arts festival runs Aug. 12 to 14 in the Village, Collingwood and now Thornbury. The Peak to Shore promises some serious entertainment --with Sarah Harmer headlining at the Village on Saturday night. There are 17 other musical acts and 23 arts events rounding out the festival at 15 venues. Even young teens will want to get involved in the event, as the Village shows Justin Bieber's film Never Say Never as their Movie Under the Stars on Friday night.

"We're hoping that will be popular with the young crowd," said Village Events Coordinator Heather Harding. "Our Samsung Movies Under the Stars runs every Wednesday and Friday from July 1 to Labour Day weekend. It's very popular."

How could it not be fun to watch a movie outside under the stars --for free? This year's summer movie run will feature plenty of great films and end the summer with Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides --which is only just coming out in theatres.

Other popular events return this year as well with the Canadian Raptor Conservancy and the Reptile Rob show on site June 18 and 19 and again on Aug. 6 and 7. The third annual "Salsa at Blue Mountain" event June 24 to 26 featuring Latin dance, music and food will take place in the village common. This event was voted one of Ontario's top events last year.

"We're very excited for it to return for its third year," said Harding. "It seems to get bigger and better every year. It will be our first fireworks show of the year."

More fireworks are planned on Canada Day and on the September long weekend as the Blue Mountain village events team pulls out all the stops to keep visitors happy. Most events at the village are free to visitors as they are held in common areas of the site.

Canada Day celebrations take place from July 1 to 3, which will feature Lights on Saturday evening. Famarama takes place July 15 to 17, with many family entertainers; the Village Beach Party July 29 to 31, Cirque-tacular from Aug. 19 to 21, featuring acrobats and jugglers, the Village Vibe music event from Aug. 26 to 28 and the growing Apple Harvest Festival from Oct. 7 to 10.

Throughout July and August the Creemore Springs Midweek Music Series offers live entertainment Monday to Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. They also have their

own celebrations of the Blue Mountain Chil & Rib Fest, July 8 to 10 and the Elvis Festival on July 22 to 24.

For cycling afficionados, there are two must-see events at The Village this year: the East Coast Open Mountain Bike Race and Expo on Aug. 13 and 14 and the Centurion Cycling Festival -- featuring the Sam Roberts Band in an outdoor concert on Sept. 17.

There is also always Activity Central to find hiking, biking, hummering, sailing and other adventures in the village and around the area. For details on events see the calendar or activity central at www.bluemountain.ca.

"Our summer doesn't end until Thanksgiving weekend," Harding said, adding during July and August there is something to do every night at the village. "It's mad here, we have so much going on we are very busy."