It's a fact. Not everyone enjoys sweating buckets and counting dots balls at the cricket ground. So while the much of the Island will make the trek Eastward to the St. George's Cricket Club to support their teams, win and lose at the Crown and Anchor tables and indulge in food and drink, there are a few who might be looking for other ways to spend their time. For those so inclined, The Royal Gazette put together a list of "everything but the game" to showcase the variety of activities that the Cup Match holiday has on offer.

Yes We're Open

If you're not sure what to do with the children, why not visit the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) or Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Both are open over Cup Match. BAMZ is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admittance at 4 p.m.) and BUEI is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

If you are heading West, visit Dolphin Quest, open throughout Cup Match from 9.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m., or the Bermuda Maritime Museum, which is also open throughout the weekend from 9.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. (last admittance at 4 p.m.).

Alternatively you can spend a day, or the entire Cup Match holiday at Snorkel Park in Dockyard where the fun never ends with water slides, games for children of all ages, beach chairs, drinks and food.

For those who want to get a bit of exercise, spend a morning the Bermuda Golf Academy and Driving Range in Southampton. They're closed on Thursday, July 30, but will be open on Friday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Free-for-all

What's always open and free? Bermuda's beaches, the Botanical Gardens and the Arboretum. And the Botanical Gardens will be the setting of Emancipation Day celebrations on Saturday, August 1 from noon to 8 p.m.: A full day of exciting and educational events and activities start with a Procession followed by a multi-unit band performance, dance performance, a mass choir, theatrical play and Gombey performance. There will also be a narrative stage, film presentations, interpretative sessions, local arts and crafts and jewellery vendors, children's activities, traditional and ethnic food vendors, food demonstrations, the Bermuda Gourmet Getaway Fish Chowder Challenge Finals and much more. For more information call 292-8990 or visit www.bermuda2009.bm.

If you are heading to one of Bermuda's beautiful beaches, why not pop down to Horseshoe Beach in Southampton on Thursday, July 30 for Emancipation Day celebrations, hosted for the fourth year by Chewstick.

There will be live performances, a beachfest football tournament, DJ's playing BIG tunes all day and night, a beachfest volleyball tournament, king and queen competition, food vendors, cash bar, crown and anchor, East vs. West tug-of-war (to rival Cup Match itself), prizes, giveaways and a whole lot more! Admission is free. For more information visit www. chewstick.com.

Horseshoe Beach is also the venue of the 14th Annual Bermuda International Sand Sculpture Competition, presented by the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Institute of Bermuda Architects on Saturday, August 1.

Come early, catch some sun and watch teams as they create their magnificent structures, or pop around at 4 p.m. when judging takes place.

Sand Sculpting Clinics take Sand Sculpting Clinics take place at Gates Bay (St. Catherine Beach) in St. George's on July 27 and 28 and at Horseshoe Beach on July 29 to 31. Conducted by Team Sandastic each evening on the beach, you can pick up some tips, tricks and techniques to creating professional sand sculptures.

If history is your thing, visit St. George's prior to Cup Match on Tuesday, July 28 and participate in Somers Day celebrations. A time capsule will be deposited in King's Square at 2.30 p.m., followed by the official opening of the World Heritage Centre at 5 p.m.

You can also watch history brought to life on St. Catherine's Beach at 6.15 p.m. during a re-enactment of the survivors of the wreck of the Sea Venture coming ashore.

Follow the parade from the beach, historically known as Gate's Bay, to King's Square where a party gets underway at 8 p.m. with music, dance, fashion and fireworks.

The night includes a multicultural dance performance, changes in costume over the 400 years and a spectacular Gombey performance with multiple troupes.

And last, but not least, on Sunday, August 2 there is the ever popular annual Bermuda Non-Mariners Race in Mangrove Bay in Somerset — hosted by the Sandys Boat Club. The official starting time is 1 p.m., but the Boat Club will be open from 10 a.m. The Non-Mariners Race tests the true skill of amateur boat makers as they construct boats out of anything and everything ranging from picnic tables, bathtubs and barrels and much more.