Renaissance Festival

Fair time

Renaissance Festival
Step back into a 16th-century English village with the opening of the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival this month in Crownsville. There will be 10 stages of entertainment, a jousting arena, food and craft shops, juggling school, strolling entertainers and more. Weekends from Aug. 23 to Oct. 18. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. $18 for Adults; $15, seniors; $8, children 7-15; and free for children under 7. 410-573-1508 or rennfest.com

Worlds Fair of Money
Bring the family to see a billion bucks and it won’t cost a cent at The Worlds Fair of Money, July 30 to Aug. 3, at the Baltimore Convention Center. There will be a $1 billion U.S. Treasury Department display that includes $100,000 bills, unique coins from the Smithsonian and demonstrations of a 150-year-old hand-turned money printing press. There will be educational seminars, a children’s treasure hunt trivia game and free appraisals of the public’s old coins and paper money by dealers. There will also be exhibits from private collections including the famous 1913 Liberty Head nickel that was missing for 41 years. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For details visit the American Numismatic Association Web site at www.money.org or call 719-632-2646.

American Idols Live!
Was your family following this year’s “American Idol” competition? If so, you might want to get tickets to the American Idols Live! concert at the 1st Mariner Arena Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. The top 10 finalist will perform. Tickets range from $39.50 to $68.50 and can be purchased at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 410-547-SEAT or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The arena is located at 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore.

Fair time
Ready for a corn dog, some cotton candy, a turn on the giant zipper or a stroll through the 4-H barns? Then mark these dates on your calendar:

Howard County Fair - Aug. 2-9, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Livestock shows, commercial exhibits, a petting farm, rides, horse shows, entertainment, home arts, horse and tractor pulls and more. Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship. 410-442-1022 or howardcountyfair.org

Maryland State Fair - Aug. 22 to Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Livestock, crafts, produce, farm and garden exhibits, food, midway rides, thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment. 2200 York Road, Timonium. 410-252-0200, Ext. 227 or marylandstatefair.com

Campfire at the beach
Head out to the Hammerman Area Beach of Gunpowder Falls State Park Aug. 8 to enjoy s’mores and other fire-roasted snacks on a warm summer night. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket to the event, scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Naturalists will share their knowledge of the natural and cultural resources in the park. Cost is $3 per person. The beach is located at 7200 Graces Quarters Road in Chase. www.dnr.state.md.us or 410.592-2897