Summer is almost officially over -- time to head back to school, pack away the white shoes and take in your last few cricket matches.

But there is still two more weekends before Labour Day is upon us -- just enough time to sneak-in a few fun summer activities. Here are a few suggestions: *** BYRON LEE AND THE DRAGONAIRES A sure sign that summer is coming to a close is the annual Byron Lee soca extravaganza at Tiger Bay in St. George's.

Organiser Eddy DeMello said this year's concert will feature a fireworks display at 1 a.m. and a door prize of two round-trip tickets to Jamaica for Jamaica Carnival.

Local group, Piece of the Rock, will kick off Saturday's festivities at 7 p.m., whipping the crowd up into a frenzy for the main attraction, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

The veteran musician and his band have been making people `jump up' for more than 40 years and tour extensively, playing an average of 36 cities each year.

Since its humble beginnings, the legendary soca group has grown to become a living symbol of Caribbean culture. The band was formed in the 1950s when five good friends got together and started harmonising after a football match.

They choose the name, Dragonaires, in honour of the dragon of St. George's College insignia, the Jamaican school which all of the original band members attended.

In 1957 the band officially became known as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

With a string of award-winning hits, like `Tiney Winey and Dance Hall Soca, combined with songs from his current CD, Soca Tremor, Byron Lee and his crew are sure to keep revellers at Saturday's concerts dancing till 2 a.m.

Tickets for the Byron Lee and the Dragonaires are $45 or $40 for groups of ten or more and are available from The Music Box on Reid Street in Hamilton.

For more information 295-4839.

*** PICNICS Picnics are an ideal way to celebrate the final days of summer.

And Bermuda is dotted with dozens of scenic parks, beaches and coves, perfect for family picnics.

Since prime venues are limited, be sure to arrive early to claim a good spot for your splendour in the grass.

Whether it is a large family gathering or a last-minute get-together, one of the joys of picnicking is the freedom from the restraints of the dinner table -- you can eat with your hands and make a mess.

But preparing for a picnic can be a mammoth task, especially if you plan to spend the whole day in the great outdoors since fresh air, for whatever reason, seems to increase appetites.

However, a family picnic does not mean you have to pack your refrigerator into the trunk of your car -- they can be simple affairs with just a few snacks.

A few drinks, some fruit and several baked treats to nibble on will probably get you through a last minute family expedition to the park.

But if you are determined to do it the traditional way, give yourself a few days to plan your menu and visit the grocery store.

After spending the night before slaving over the stove preparing your `meals on wheels', don't forget to take something to reheat your food and charcoals if you plan to barbecue.

If you are going to picnic well into the evening, be sure to pack some citronella candles to keep the bugs away.

And don't forget to take along some garbage bags and water to wash sticky fingers with.

*** CAMPING Labour Day weekend is the final long weekend of the camping season.

And if anyone plans to spend their holiday sitting around a camp-fire roasting marshmallows, they should have already reserved their camp ground.

Campers have a choice of three designated spots in Bermuda -- Ferry Reach and Coney Island in St. George's and Chaplin Bay in Warwick.

The camping section of the Parks Department said anyone who wants to sleep under the stars needed to stop by their office at the Botanical Gardens and pick up a permit.

"They should go look at the sites and pick out which lot they want,'' explained a Parks official. "They then come in and book the spot and get a permit.'' Campers must pay a $50 deposit and $4.50 each night they plan to spend camping.

The $50 deposit is refunded via the mail at the end of camp season -- the middle/end of September -- as long as you have not left the camp site in a state of disarray.

*** BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING Thousands of local children will make their way back to the hallowed halls of academia next Tuesday.

And if you have put off getting your child completely outfitted for the new school year, you will probably be one of hundreds of shoppers crowding Hamilton stores over the next few days.

Deadra Burch of Justine Enterprises said that messenger bags were all the rage with older students for the 1999/2000 school year.

"Messenger bags are the hot items for school,'' she said. "Actually, I noticed a lot of adults buying them for themselves.

"Primary school children still like the back-packs because they have a lot of room in them and they can put their gym clothes, lunch, book and rain coat in them. If school bags are too small they are not going to get used.'' It's the last time for summer fun The back-packs have proven so popular that the entrepreneur, who sells her back-to-school supplies on Barnes Corner and Kindley Field Road, has completely sold out of her boys back packs.

While lunch boxes are out-of-favour with middle and high school students, they are still en-vogue with young children and are finding a growing market with adults. "Lunch boxes have been selling well because the little ones still like them,'' said Ms Burch. "And some adults are buying the kid's nylon roll-up lunch bags to carry their lunch to work.'' And of course back-to-school shopping would not be complete without purchasing new school shoes -- and W.J. Boyles and Son's said they have been doing brisk business.

"Business has been very well,'' said a store spokesperson. "It's been quite busy. The older kids have come in early because they are more conscious about fashion and they want to get the best selection. Saturdays have been crazy around here.'' She added: "The best time to get in and purchase school shoes is weekday mornings.'' Byron Lee and the Dragonaires: The soca extravaganza will be staged on Saturday at Tiger Bay in St. George's.

Picnics: The ideal way to celebrate the final days of summer.