Coastal lighthouses holding anniversary parties

The hostels at Point Montara and Pigeon Point Lighthouses are celebrating th 100th anniversary of the worldwide hostelling movement and the 75th anniversary of Hostelling International USA.

On Saturday, August 22, from noon to 3 p.m., the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel in Montara welcomes the public to a seaside celebration featuring a live performance by the TBS Attic Band, which specializes in American old-time and Irish folk music, as well as a lighthouse art show, with work by Christopher S. Bauman and students of Coastside art instructor Mary Kay Jolley. Festivities also include a kids’ craft table, hostel tours, and prize giveaways. For more information, visit http://montarahostel.org/ .

On Sunday, August 30, from noon to 3 p.m., the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel in Pescadero hosts a seaside barbecue with live music by Dr. Steelgood, a steelpan/drum/percussion trio that performs a blend of reggae, Afro-Caribbean, jazz, and Americana-influenced music, and is known for irreverently attempting just about any audience request on the steelpans. State Park docents will offer guided historic tours around the lighthouse grounds every half-hour, and staff from the nonprofit Exploring New Horizons will perform children’s puppet shows. Guests can also explore the interpretive exhibits in the Fog Signal Building, the oceanfront boardwalk, Mel’s Lane walking trail, and Whaler’s Cove beach. Complimentary grilled sausages, tofu dogs, and natural sodas will be served, and Swanton Berry Farm will be on hand offering strawberry shortcake and strawberry lemonade for purchase. For more information, visit http://pigeonpointhostel.org/ .

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE
In addition to the prize giveaways held at each party, guests can enter to win an Anniversary Week Grand Prize Package including:
* A three-night stay in a private room for two people at any of HI’s nine Northern California hostels
* A Flip Ultra video camera
* Two one-year HI memberships
* Two 27-ounce stainless steel Klean Kanteens
* Two 100% organic cotton zippered hoodies with original artwork by Michael Wertz

100TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT SERIES
The 100th Anniversary Parties at Point Montara and Pigeon Point are part of a series of events hosted by hostels around Northern California (San Francisco, Sacramento, Marin Headlands, Point Reyes, and Redwood National Park). For more information, visit http://norcalhostels.org/100years/ .

The Point Montara Lighthouse and Pigeon Point Lighthouse hostels are operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel.