POLO, Ill. After a one-year hiatus, the Bus Bash is returning to the industry next year.

In fact, there will be two Bus Bashes, restoring the tradition of twice yearly gatherings of bus owners and individuals interested in buses.

Larry Plachno of National Bus Trader magazine and Bus Bash Inc. said the first of the '08 Bus Bashes will be in a scenic rural area of Michigan, while the second will be in Birmingham, Ala.

"The second Bus Bash event in 2008 will be the 50th Bus Bash since the event was founded by Bob Redden in 1979," said Plachno.

Pure Michigan-Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 will be over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25. It will be conducted near Hillman and Alpena, Mich., which are in an area known as the "Sunrise Side" of Michigan.

Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman will be the site of most activities.

The event will follow the typical Bus Bash itinerary with a reception Friday evening, tours Saturday, a Saturday evening meal, and a public bus show Sunday.

Saturday's tours will include stops at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, Besser Museum, Fletcher Street Brewing Co., the LaFarge Quarry Equipment Repair Facility, and Stoney Acres Winery.

Other activities and special events include a golf outing Monday, a travel marketplace in conjunction with the Sunday bus flea market, elk viewing, and a gourmet dinner at Thunder Bay Resort.

Birmingham (Ala.) Bus Bash 2008 will be over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31. Hosting the event will be Thrasher Brothers Trailways, assisted by Vulcan Coach, a conversion coach builder.

For more information, go to www.busmag.com and click on the Bus Bash tab, or call (815) 946-2341.