The 12th annual Big Band Bash By the Beach (BBBB) will be held again from noon to 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 27, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre down on The Strand.

Three area "big bands", the Oceanside Society Orchestra, the Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame Orchestra, and Jay Wimmer’s Big Band All Stars will play one hour each.

This popular close-of-summer musical extravaganza is one of the most affordable entertainment events anywhere – just $5 per person and it includes a drink, hot dog and bag of chips.

The money goes for a good cause – in fact, a number of good causes. All summer various non-profit organizations around North County will be selling the BBBB tickets to benefit their respective groups. You can also purchase a $5 ticket at the door with proceeds going to the Green Oak Ranch rehabilitation center in Vista.

Non-profit organizations can take advantage of the ticket sales because of a generous community grant from County Supervisor Bill Horn’s office, which covers much of the major costs for staging this annual event.

Getting to this year’s BBBB will be even easier than in previous years. The new "Sprinter" light-rail train running from Escondido to Oceanside gives big band lovers from across the North County a new, worry-free way of traveling to Oceanside’s beach and the Pier Amphitheater. After arriving at the Oceanside Transportation Center, Sprinter riders walk west one block, or ride one of the frequent shuttle buses running that day from the Transportation Center to the Pier Amphitheatre.