Let's hope that the weather gods -- and the Portuguese men-of-war -- cooperate Sunday for the 18th Governor's Bay Day, the annual Open House Day for all state beaches in Rhode Island, welcoming people to enjoy fun in the sun without paying to park.

In addition to free entry, several state beaches and parks will offer special events.

To kick off the event, there will be a concert and fireworks over Misquamicut State Beach, on Atlantic Avenue on the Westerly shore Saturday night. (No fees will be charged for the beach parking lots after 4 p.m. Saturday for the concert and fireworks.)

The free concert, beginning at 6 p.m., features Golden Oldies such as "Barbara Ann" and "Surf City" by Dean Torrence (of the '60s band Jan and Dean) with his new band, the Surf City All Stars. Chad and Jeremy, another '60s act, will sing songs such as "Yesterday's Gone" and "Summer Song."

Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.

Then on Sunday, Bay Day, parking is free at all state beaches, with special events planned for Misquamicut, Goddard in Warwick, Brenton Point and Fort Adams State Parks in Newport, Roger Wheeler and Scarborough Beaches in Narragansett, and Colt State Park in Bristol.

At Misquamicut on Sunday, the Department of Environmental Management will host a naturalist program all day, and from 2 to 4 p.m., a beach concert by the Vini Ames Band.

At Goddard Memorial State Park, 345 Ives Rd., Warwick, there will be a free barbecue at the Carousel Pavilion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a concert from noon to 2 p.m., and beach-themed activities for children from noon to 4 p.m.

At Brenton Point State Park, Ocean Drive, Newport, there will be a kite-flying demonstration from noon to 4 p.m.

At Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue, Newport, there will be free admission to the Museum of Yachting and a regatta of 12-meter America's Cup boats from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Roger Wheeler State Beach, Ocean Road, Narragansett, there will be a variety of family-oriented programs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Scarborough State Beach, Route 108, Narragansett, radio DJs will play music all afternoon, with prize giveaways, and from noon to 3 p.m. there will be a rock-climbing wall set up by the Rhode Island National Guard.

At Colt State Park, Route 114, Bristol, the Department of Environmental Management will host a Kids Fishing Derby and naturalist program from noon to 4 p.m., and a concert by the Rockin' Soul Horns from 1 to 3 p.m.

From noon to 3 p.m., Bay Island boat tours will be offered free on the hour, on a first-come, first-served basis from the dock at Colt.

Closing the events of the day will be a 7:30 p.m. re-lighting ceremony of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, with viewing from the East Bay Bike Path just north of Riverside Square, Pawtucket Avenue.

For a complete listing of Bay Day events, visit www.governor.ri.gov/bayday.

Beach bus free, too

For Bay Day, RIPTA will offer free beach bus service connecting Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket to Salty Brine Beach, Roger Wheeler Beach and Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett.

For a beach bus schedule, call (401) 781-9400 or visit www.ripta.com.

READ our interactive beach guide:

projo.com/beachmap