Sept. 16 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events

1. Maritime Festival

Ahoy, mateys! That will be the battle cry in the harborside village of Greenport next weekend, as the town celebrates its annual Maritime Festival. It kicks off Saturday with an 11 a.m. parade down Main and Front streets. Visitors can see ships in port such as the schooner Lynx (reserve ahead if you want to take a sail, $35-$65, 866-446-5969).

Around town, you'll find live music, crafts vendors and historic site tours, and the 75-year-old Zaida, which was used in World War II. The weekend benefits the East End Seaport Museum, which is running boat trips out to see its recently restored Long Beach Bar "Bug" Light off Orient Point ($25-$35).

2. Last call -- Nikon Jones Beach

The outdoor amphitheater's summerlong schedule wraps up next weekend with two concerts: a double bill of Kiss and Mötley Crüe at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by a Peter Gabriel concert at 7:30 p.m. next Sunday.

3. Jewel -- in Huntington

Primarily known as a singer and songwriter, Grammy-nominated Jewel enters the children's book forum with the release of her new book, "That's What I Do." Inspired by the birth last year of her son, Kase, the lullaby children's music book features illustrations by Amy June Bates and a CD that Jewel sings on. Meet her at a book signing in Huntington.

4. Sound check

The R&B group New Edition continues its reunion tour with its only area appearance Wednesday at Nassau Coliseum. You could find drama, setbacks and triumphs in their story, but after reuniting at the Essence Music Festival in 2011, the group plans to perform songs from their last album (made in 2004), "One Love," digitally rereleased last year.

5. Truck show

See more than 200 heavy-duty trucks and 18-wheel tractors on display, decorated with lights, customized interiors, chromed bumpers and train horns at a truck show and festival at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. The event also includes craft and food vendors and children's activities. The rigs will leave in a convoy parade at 7 p.m.

6. Bret Michaels

The lead vocalist for Poison and a reality show star (he won ABC's "Celebrity Apprentice") continues on his "Get Your Rock On 2012" tour with rock band Quatela opening a show Thursday at NYCB Theatre at Westbury.

7. Jazz Fest

If jazz is your thing, the Islip Arts Council's weekend-long festival is an opportunity to take advantage of a full lineup of concerts. Guitarist Nick Russo plays a 7 p.m. show Friday at Dowling College's Fortunoff Hall ($20 includes refreshments) in Oakdale. Saturday and Sept. 23, the musical showcase moves to the East Islip Public Library for a series of free performances from 1 to 6 p.m. both days.

8. Bike to the beach

Take a bike ride along the bike path east of Wantagh Parkway where almost the entire path runs along the water -- with a leader from the Seatuck Environmental Association. You'll get views of channels and islands, and learn about the many marshes, waterways and tidal flats you pass on the flat trail ending at the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach. If you want to stay at the beach, bring a lock and park your bike at a rack.

9. Pickle Festival

The tradition continues, as the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association brings out the best and brightest pickles. You'll find barrels filled with freshly made kosher and garlic dills along with pickle flavored popcorn and pickle ornaments. The historic John Gardiner working farm hosts the event and offers other local products such as jams, jellies and farm-grown veggies.

10. Lego workshop

It's a novel way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Kids, along with their families, can get their hands on more than 60,000 Lego blocks to build replicas of historic and civic buildings seen around the greater Stony Brook area. Once it's complete, each family gets a "treasure map" to go out and find the actual building they constructed.