Folk Festival, Geek Con, Lizzie Borden, “Obey” Party, Re-enactments, Ice Cream, Circus, & Hip Hop
07/29/09 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This week’s group trip: Come visit me and my art project at the Newport Folk Festival! See below for info.
Here’s your week in weird. Enjoy it! Want this weekly? Please subscribe.
-Johnny
The Week in Weird |
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| Free Shakespeare on Boston Common | 7/31 – 8/16 | Boston Metro |
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| The weird event of the week is most definitely the free Shakespeare play on Boston Common! I’ve been many times and it’s definitely a must-see. This time the play is The Comedy of Errors. Arrive early and bring a blanket or rent a chair! It’s free! Boston Common, Boston, MA. more |
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| Newport Folk Festival / George Wein’s Folk Festival 50 | 8/1 – 8/2 | Rhode Island |
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| Lots and lots of music this weekend at the Newport Folk Festival! It’s weird mainly because I’ll be there with my Wheel Questions project. And Pete Seeger. And the Decemberists. And Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez. So come to see us, not necessarily in that order of priority. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI. more |
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| Feast of the Blessed Sacrement (Portuguese) | 7/30 – 8/2 | Rhode Island |
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| While you’re in the area, stop by the largest Portuguese festival in the USA. Music, food, a parade on Sunday, 5K road race. Free! Madeira Field, New Bedford, MA.508-992-6911. more |
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| Redcoats and Rebels @ Old Sturbridge Village | 8/1 – 8/2 | Southern Mass |
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| My favorite alternative would be Old Sturbridge Village as usual. Is there anything these people do wrong? I don’t think so! For this one they’ll re-enact 300 years of military history. I’ve seen it. It’s amazing! Parade, fife & drum, camp cooking, cannon demo, kids activities. Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA.(508) 347-3362. more |
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| Obey Experiment Redux @ ICA Boston | 7/31 | Boston Metro |
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| Also a museum that can do no wrong: the ICA. I actually went to their last one of these and it was worth the visit, not spectacular. This one adds a dance floor though! ICA, Boston, MA. more |
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| Shoes Tell Stories @ Fuller Museum | 8/2 | Southern Mass |
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| This is always-a-hit museum #3. I love the Fuller! Do you like shoes? Have shoes ever changed your life? The Fuller Museum wants to hear your story. This event doesn’t sound very impressive but I’m listing it because the Fuller Museum is such a gem. I’ve been three times and there’s always something world-class going on in lonely Brockton. They are free and have arty socials Wednesday evenings, 5-9pm. 10am to 1pm. 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA.508-588-6000. more |
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| Lizzie Borden Museum Annual Re-enactment | 8/4 | Southern Mass |
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| Then we come to a screeching halt a museum that shouldn’t even exist. In 1892, a horrific murder occurred in Fall River. The main suspect was acquitted, but conspiracy theorists are *still talking about it*. And now, they have re-enactors of something that’s not even really historic. And they promote paranormal hogwash. Humbug. :). Lizzie Borden B&B, 92 Second St., Fall River, MA.508-675-7333. more |
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| Abigail Adams Meets Captain William Smith | 8/2 | Metro West |
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| I going to wash that thought right out of my hair with the regularly re-enacting folks at the National Park Service in Lexington. This weekend you can meet the wife of former president John Adams re-enacted, as well. Preceded by “Colonial Tunes with the Hartwell Players”. Captain William Smith House, Lexington, MA. more |
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| Tutto Italiano @ Larz Anderson Museum | 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| And you really can’t go wrong visiting the Museum of Transportation, with its regular lawn festivals. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA.(617) 522-6547. more |
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| Edaville Unplugged: Acoustic Music Festival | 8/1 | Southern Mass |
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| This music festival is just a good excuse to visit Edaville, with its trains, ferris wheel, and merry-go-round. Hopefully the trains won’t be unplugged, too. Edaville Railroad, Route 58, South Carver, MA.877-EDAVILLE. more |
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| ConnectiCon | 7/31 – 8/2 | Connecticut |
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| Are you a geek? Perhaps you’ll drive out to this general-purpose fandom convention including anime, gaming, web-comics, science-fiction, fantasy and more. Connecticut Convention Center on Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. more |
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| Salem Maritime Festival | 8/1 – 8/2 | North Shore |
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| Another big festival is in Salem, which has a Maritime Festival, with music, folk dancing, tons of ‘traditional crafts’, and two big sailing ships! Derby Wharf, 174 Derby Street, Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more |
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| Salem Heritage Days | 7/31 – 8/10 | North Shore |
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| … At the same time as a Heritage Days festival, that includes annual ice cream event, a dog show, dance, comedy, an outdoor movie, and a pizza competition. And see the antique car show at the Phillips House on Aug 9. Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more |
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| Ice Cream Bowl @ Salem | 8/4 | North Shore |
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| Yummy, yummy, ice cream… Salem, MA.978-740-1650. more |
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| The Underpants | 7/16 – 8/2 | North Shore |
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| While you’re there, check out the closing week for this comedy written by Steve Martin. Church, 316 Essex Street, Salem, MA.978-790-8546. more |
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| Yankee Homecoming Festival | 7/26 – 8/2 | North Shore |
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| There’s something special about festivals on the North Shore this week. Newburyport has one too. Printmaking, food & music & art, festival, historical tours, Irish & Greek performances. fireworks Aug 1, and a parade Aug 2. Various, Newburyport, MA. more |
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| Beverly Homecoming Days | 7/31 – 8/9 | North Shore |
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| As does Beverly. This one ends with fireworks… Beverly, MA. more |
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| Luau in Beverly | 7/30 | North Shore |
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| And starts with a Hawaiin Luau! Beverly, MA. more |
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| Chris & Meredith Thompson, fireworks | 8/2 | North Shore |
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| Of the many outdoor concerts, my pick is Chris & Meredith Thompson, twin sisters who play a variety of folk. Beverly, MA. more |
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| Roaring 20’s Jazz Ball | 7/31 | North Shore |
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| Also on the North Shore! They’re having a Jazz Ball at the Crane Estate with antique cars, dancing, and live music. 7pm-midnight. Ipswich, MA. more |
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| Annual Sand Sculpture Contest @ Marthas Vineyard | 8/5 | Cape Cod |
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| If you are lucky enough to be visiting Martha’s Vinyard, stop by the sand sculpture contest! South Beach (right fork), Edgartown, MA.508-627-8134. more |
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| Nantucket Comedy Festival | 7/28 – 8/1 | Southern Mass |
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| Nantucket is harder to access but they have a comedy fest and all of the beaches are open to the public, which means less crowding. Only a few of Martha’s Vineyard’s beaches are public (though lovely). Nantucket Island.508-228-1515. more |
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| Circus Smirkus @ Revere | 7/31 – 8/1 | Boston Metro |
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| Let’s bring it back home to Boston with this traveling circus show. Revere, MA. more |
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| OPENAIR Circus | 7/31 – 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| But the real circus spice is this summer workshop for kids that ends in a public performance! Somerville, MA. more |
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| United Styles – Breakdancing Competition | 7/31 – 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| They’ll also be breakdancing in Boston. Always fun to see. $25, preparty Friday, then 3-11pm Sat & Sun. Cyclorama, 539 Tremont Street #2, Boston, MA. more |
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| Peace Hip Hop Festival | 8/1 | Boston Metro |
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| Or see it on the festival that used to be at Boston City Hall Plaza. 4-8pm. Hip hop performances. Free. Strand Theatre-Uphams Corner, 543 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA.617-635-3911. more |
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| Worcester African Festival | 8/1 | Worcester |
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| This one seems to be ethnically African, not African-American. 12-7pm. Free food. Martin Luther King Center, 237 Chandler St., Worcester, MA. more |
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| Latino Family Festival | 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| Boston’s biggest latino event, with a concert at Fenway Park. 12pm. Fenway Park, Boston, MA. more more |
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| Pittsfield Ethnic Festival | 8/2 | Western Mass |
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| Two stages of music and dance, all “ethnic”. (What a strange term!). First Two Blocks of North St, Pittsfield, MA.413-443-6501. more |
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| Stony Brook Summerfest | 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| They’ll have a bike rodeo, swimming, live animals, music, games, and more at this state park. Stony Brook Reservation, Hyde Park, MA.617-698-1802 x3. more |
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| Pittsfield NH Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally | 7/31 – 8/2 | New Hampshire |
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| Perhaps you’d travel 1.7 hrs from Boston for a balloon ride. Call to reserve in advance! Fireworks on Saturday. Pittsfield, NH. more |
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| Moonlight Paddle on the Charles River | 7/31 – 8/6 | Boston Metro |
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| I’ve always wanted to try a moonlight guided hike or paddle. This group does them regularly. Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Boston, MA.617-267-4430. more |
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| Quill Pen Writing | 8/1 – 8/27 | Boston Metro |
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| I thought this was cute. While you’re walking the Boston Freedom Trail, try your hand at writing with a real quill pen. Website only works in Internet Explorer. Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA. more |
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| Bang on a Can Marathon | 8/1 | Western Mass |
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| The Mass MoCA event of live music continues in a “marathon”. But it’s basically a performance. And you don’t get to bang cans. :(. 87 Marshall St, North Adams, MA.413-662-2111.. more |
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| National Night Out: Revere | 8/4 | Boston Metro | ||
| I don’t know what else is happening elsewhere, but in Revere, it’s a free movie and “family fun” here. Garfield School, Revere, MA.617-343-4345. more |
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| National Night Out: Franklin Park Zoo | 8/4 | Boston Metro |
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| The Franklin Park Zoo is free 5-8pm. Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA.617-343-4345. more |
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| National Night Out: Block Parties | 7/19 – 8/4 | Boston Metro |
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| There are supposed to be block parties too, in neighborhoods all across Boston. But I couldn’t find them on their website. Everywhere, Boston, MA.617-343-4345. more |
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Also Fun |
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| Free “Fun Friday” @ Boston Children’s Museum | 7/31 | Boston Metro |
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| The Children’s Museum is free this week, too! Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA. more |
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| Somerville Rock & Roll Yard Sale | 8/1 | Boston Metro |
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| This is a flea market for music enthusiasts with live music and DJs all day. 3-7pm. Rain date: next day. Union Square, Somerville, MA.617.625.6600 ext. 2985. more |
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| Chesterwood Annual Summer Gala: A Lincoln Portrait | 8/1 – 8/2 | Western Mass |
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| They’re having a garden party and you get to see how clay sculptures are made. They have free evening hours July 29, too. 4 Williamsville Road, Stockbridge, MA.413-298-3579. more |
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| Boston Poetry Slam – Send Off to Nationals | 7/29 | Boston Metro |
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| 7pm. $5. Four teams battle to speak the best poetry, and one team will travel to the national competition. I’ve seen poetry slams and they’re more like theatre and a lot less like reading dry text! The Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.617-244-6619. more |
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| South Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower | 7/28 – 7/30 | Metro West |
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| This one’s barely a meteor shower, but it’s weird, so I’m listing it! Make sure to go to a lake or a huge field with no street lights to blind you. 1am-4am on any morning between Tuesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 30. Everywhere, Everywhere. more |
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| Cheshire Fair | 7/29 – 8/2 | New Hampshire |
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| Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival there. Cheshire Fairgrounds (Rte 12), Swanzey, NH. more |
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| Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival | 7/30 – 8/2 | Connecticut |
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| Yet another outdoor festival. East Hartford CT. more |
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| Litchfield Jazz Festival | 7/31 – 8/2 | Connecticut |
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| Yet another. Kent School, Kent, CT. more |
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| Onset Blues Festival | 8/1 | Cape Cod |
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| Festivals continue. This one’s on lovely Cape Cod! The Bluff, Onset, MA.508-295-7072. more |
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| Gloucester Best Dressed Dog Parade | 8/1 | North Shore |
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| Part of Gloucester Sidewalk Days, a highly commercial event: some cute dogs. 260 Main St. Gloucester, MA, Gloucester, MA. more more |
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| 21st Hingham Invitational Ultimate Frisbee Championship | 8/1 – 8/2 | Northern Mass |
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| Everyone loves frisbee. This one’s the ultimate. Hingham, MA. more |
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| Pan Mass Challenge | 8/1 – 8/2 | Metro West |
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| Bicycle for charity from Wellesley to Provincetown, for cancer research. Wellesley, MA. more |
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| Woods Hole Film Festival | 7/25 – 8/1 | Cape Cod |
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| Cape Cod can be excused for having a film festival in the summer. Because when else would you go there? Woods Hole, MA. more |
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| Roxbury Film Festival | 7/30 – 8/2 | Boston Metro |
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| But I’m not sure what Roxbury’s excuse would be. This one celebrates people of color. Roxbury, MA. more |
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| Rhode Island International Film Festival | 8/4 – 8/9 | Rhode Island |
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| Or Rhode Island’s. This one celebrates, um, William Shatner. Providence, RI.401-861-4445. more |
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| Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead | 7/30 – 8/9 | Boston Metro |
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| One of my favorite plays, by Tom Stoppard, who wrote the screenplay for the movie “Shakespeare in Love”, it a comedy about Hamlet’s lesser known friends. Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, MA. more |
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Travel |
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| Maine Lobster Festival | 7/29 – 8/2 | Maine |
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| Do you love lobster? Enough to drive nearly 4 hours from Boston? Rockland, ME. more |
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| Vermont Roots Reggae Festival | 7/31 – 8/2 | Vermont |
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| Reggae is big in Vermont. Go figure. Rt 129, Alburgh, VT. more |
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| Bangor State Fair | 7/31 – 8/9 | Maine |
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| Fiesta Shows will have their traveling carnival here also! Bangor Fairgrounds, Bangor, ME. more |
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| Champlain Valley Folk Festival | 7/31 – 8/2 | Vermont |
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| But the place to be in undoubtedly Vermont along Lake Champlain. Kingsland Bay State Park, Ferrisburgh, VT.877-850-0206. more |
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