The Great Pocomoke Fair - Aug. 21-23, Pocomoke City, MD. Kids Games, Harness Racing, Indoor exhibits, Antique tractor pulling, the Horse show and Fireworks.

August Fest - Aug. 23, Billy Gene Jackson Park, Salisbury, MD. 9:00 AM-6:30 PM. A great time to enjoy a classic/antique car show, motorcycle show, flea market, gospel singing groups, Christian step/dance ministries, food vendors, games, health and safety information, girls/boys basketball, 5K walk/run, raffles and free gifts. 410-742-7347

Meet the Presidents - Aug. 24, Mar-Va Theater, Pocomoke, MD. Sunday Matinee 3:30 PM. 3 Acts - 3 Eras. Bill and Sue Wills. $15 admission .

Latin Festival Night - Aug. 25, Sunset Park, 200 Division St & Bay, Ocean City. Ocean City’s new Sunset Park is the setting for a night to celebrate featuring the Latin music of “Orquesta La Leyenda”. Food and drink available for purchase. Monday, 6-10 p.m.

Sundaes in the Park - Aug. 24, Northside Park, 127th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD. Bring the family, a chair or blanket & enjoy free local & regional musical groups. Create your own ice cream sundae for a small fee. A great family evening each Sunday, 6-8 p.m. This week: Mary Lou and the Untouchables, classic rock and Scales & Tales, MD Dept of Natural Resources.

Log Canoe Races - Aug. 23-24, Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford, MD. Meyers/Heritage Weekend. Call the sponsoring Yacht Club for directions and race times. (410-226-5269). www.logcanoes.com

Annual Crab Feast and Barbecue - Aug. 23, Easton, MD. The Easton Star Masonic Lodge 16 F&AM PHA will hold its annual crab feast and barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Talbot County Agricultural Center in Easton. The event is $25 per person, children ages 12 and under are free. For tickets, call 410-822-3382, 410-310-9466 or 410-714-4073.

Crab Feast - Aug. 23, Goldenhill, MD. All-You-Can-Eat, 3pm-till. Adults $23, children 12 & under, $7. St. Johns U.M. Church Fellowship Hall, Goldenhill, MD. Steamed crabs, hot dogs, corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, watermelon, ice tea & sodas. From Cambridge Rt. 16 to Church Creek, L. onto Rt. 335, turn L. Rt. 336 & watch for signs.

Dearly Departed - Aug. 23-24, Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury, MD. The public is invited to “Dearly Departed,” a comedy play by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, that will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m., in Guerrieri Hall at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury. The event is sponsored by Avery Hall Insurance and Wor-Wic. The cost is $10 per person. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life. Tickets are available at the bookstore at Wor-Wic or by calling Avery Hall at (410) 742-5111. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL REENIE MCCORMICK AT (410) 334-2940.

Maryland Renaissance Festival - Aug. 23-24 & 30-31, Crownsville, MD., 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM. The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become the region’s premier outdoor event and the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country. Since the Festival’s first season as a ramshackle village in 1977, the event has matured into a large theme show with more than 1,300 participants and 280,000 guests per season.

Sharptown Fireman’s Carnival, Sharptown, MD. July 31-August 23. Opens at 7:00 PM nightly. Closed Sundays. No admission charge. Free parking. Ride wristbands $10. Food offerings include oyster sandwiches, french fries, pizza, ice cream and funnel cakes. Sharptown lays claim to the shore’s largest fireman’s carnival now in its 82nd year.

Maryland State Fair - Aug. 22 - Sept. 1, Timonium, MD.

Wicomico Farm & Home Show - Aug. 14, 15th & 16th. New events this year include an Antique Tractor Pull on Friday evening, A”Model Horse” Show on Saturday afternoon, and a redesign of our Annual Thursday night Cake Auction to “turn it back in time” to a family oriented opportunity to recognize you own special cake (or pie) Baker & also support the Farm & Home Show. Hope to see everyone of you there…And don’t forget to bring your favorite politician. Schedule of events.

Purnell-Thomas Memorial Tennis Tournament - August 13-17, Salisbury University Tennis Courts. Professional tennis comes to the shore with a total purse of $40,000. Charitable proceeds from the event benefit Coastal Hospice.

Caroline Summerfest - August 15-16, Downtown Denton and Daniel Crouse Memorial Park along the beautiful Choptank River. Caroline Summerfest is a free, family event. It features more than 100 musicians and performers on four stages. There is rock, country, bluegrass, blues and jazz music. There are jugglers, magicians, acrobats, dancers and variety entertainment strolling the grounds and on stage.

Delmarva Shorebirds - August 15-18, Home games versus the Savannah Sand Gnats. Friday night NFL Night with Washington Redskin’s Cheerleaders and fireworks. Saturday night fireworks. Sunday lunch bag giveaway. Monday night Robinson’s Jewelry and Clock Store Diamond Dig.

Sizzlin’ Summer Music Review - August 15-17, Mar-Va Theater, Pocomoke, MD. Presented by the Community Players of Salisbury.

Choptank Rivah Run 2008 - Saturday, August 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Martinak State Park To Choptank River. A fun open 2-mile paddling event for children and adults of all ages (under 18 must be with adult). Any type of paddle craft is eligible for this “POKER RUN”. Entry form.

28th Annual East Coast Skimboarding Championship - August 16-17, Dewey Beach, DE.

Queen Anne’s County Fair - Aug 11-16, Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park.

Sharptown Fireman’s Carnival, Sharptown, MD. July 31-August 23. Opens at 7:00 PM nightly. Closed Sundays. No admission charge. Free parking. Ride wristbands $10. Food offerings include oyster sandwiches, french fries, pizza, ice cream and funnel cakes. Sharptown lays claim to the shore’s largest fireman’s carnival now in its 82nd year.

Worcester County Fair - Aug. 8, 9 & 10, 2008, Byrd Park, Snow Hill, MD. Free admission, free parking, cake auction, talent show, entertainment, pony rides, livestock, river boat rides.

2008 Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival - Aug. 8-9, Nutter Park, Seaford, DE. The Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival Committee is proud to present these Two Extraordinary Days of Celebration within this great City of Seaford, in Nutter Park. Come Friday for an evening of fun-filled family entertainment, great music and food. Saturday kicks-off with the AFRAM PARADE, followed by LIVE MUSIC and Entertainment, all day, including authentic African drumming and dance, and fabulous cultural foods and vendors.

29th Annual Seafood Feast-i-val - Aug. 9, 1:00-6:00 PM, Sailwinds Park, Cambridge, MD. Benefits local fire rescue company.

Concert on the Lawn - Aug. 10, 6:00 PM, Taylor House Museum, Berlin, MD. Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition

Antiques by the Sea - Aug. 8-10, Ocean City Convention Center. Benefits St. Pauls by the Sea. The oldest continually-running antiques show on the Eastern Shore, this Ocean City summer tradition features over 40 exhibits by antiques vendors from around the country. This year, exhibits will include furniture, jewelry, silver, pottery, glass repair & polishing, Victorian lamps, collectibles, and more. Don’t miss it!

Kids Crab Round Up - Aug. 9, 9:00 to Noon, Lagoon Dock, Northside Park, 125th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD. Morning of fun & learning about blue claw crabs & their environment. All necessary equipment is provided. A small prize for all children who participate. For children 12 years & under accompanied by an adult.

Sundaes in the Park - Aug. 10, 6-8 PM, Northside Park, 127th St. & Bay, Ocean City, MD. Bring the family, a chair or blanket & enjoy free local & regional musical groups. Create your own ice cream sundae for a small fee. A great family evening offered each Sunday, 6-8 p.m. This week: Jesse Garon, a tribute to Elvis and the magic of Mike Rose.

Log Sailing Canoe Regatta - Aug. 9-10, Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford, MD. Call the sponsoring Yacht Club for directions and race times. (410-226-5269). www.logcanoes.com

Antique Tractor Pull - Aug. 9, Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association, 5 miles north of Easton, MD. Registration 3pm to 5pm. Pull starts at 5pm. Welcome To the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association. We are an all-volunteer organization founded in 1973 and headquartered on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Our Mission is to preserve the historical Eastern Shore rural way of life. Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Association is located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, approximately 5 miles north of Easton, MD on US Route 50 between mileposts 58 and 59. We are approximately 23 miles from the Bay Bridge.

Caroline/Dorchester County Fair - Aug. 6-10, 4-H Park, Denton, MD.

Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend - Aug. 9-10, Rock Hall, MD. This town-wide theme party celebrates the pirate in all of us. Enjoy kayak races, a Caribbean beach party, treasure hunts, and games for everyone.

Queen Anne’s County Fair - Aug 11-16, Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park.

SNOW HILL, MD. An Heirloom Tomato Tasting will be held at Furnace Town on Sunday August 3 from 1 - 4 pm. Tomatoes in shades of yellow, red and combinations, with names like Azoychka, Bloody Butcher, Garden Peach, and Mortgage Lifter are being grown for this event popular with those who treasure the summer flavor of fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes.

The various tomato varieties will be lined up on picnic tables beneath the Pavilion, where the tasting of about a dozen varieties such as Mr. Stripey, Yellow Pear, Jaune Flammee, Black Krim and more will take place. Actual tomatoes featured will depend upon the weather. Staff and volunteers, including tomato growers Jeff and Melissa Bacon, will be busy cutting bitesize samples of each heirloom variety, placing the samples in individual cups, and placing them on the tasting table in front of the un-cut tomatoes. Information about growing tomatoes will be shared by Extension Educators Ginny Rosenkrantz and Laura Hunsberger, along with Master Gardeners.

The set-up will be similar to a wine tasting, and judging cards will be available for each taster. The tomatoes may be rated from 1 - 5 (5 being best) on initial taste, texture, after-taste and overall - with room for comments. Comments from the 2007 tasting included: tastes better than it looks, bland, more acidic than expected, nice, sweet taste, yummy, wonderful and ew! The 2007 winner was a tie between Hogs Heart and Brandywine, followed by German Queen, Big Rainbow and Mariannas Peace.

The Heirloom Tomato Tasting is included in daily site admission of $4.00 adults/$3.50 AAA or over 60/$2.00 age 2 - 18. All proceeds benefit Furnace Town’s educational programs. Call 410-632-2032 or visit www.furnacetown.com.

The White Marlin Open has unveiled a new design for its web page as they prepare for the 2008 running of the event. A record number of boats are expected with the prize money for the top marlin approaching $2 million. All fish are weighed in at Harbour Island located at 14th Street and the bay in Ocean City, MD. The tournament runs from August 4-8, and weigh-ins are held each day of the tournament from 4:00 to 9:15 PM. The White Marlin Open employs a web cam to allow online spectators the ability to watch the weigh ins from the comfort of home. The most action can be seen from 5:30 to 7:30 PM as boats return to the docks following the end of fishing at 3:30 PM. One of the fishermen will take home a lottery sized prize. Don’t miss it.

Sharptown Fireman’s Carnival, Sharptown, MD. July 31-August 23. Opens at 7:00 PM nightly. Closed Sundays. No admission charge. Free parking. Ride wristbands $10. Food offerings include oyster sandwiches, french fries, pizza, ice cream and funnel cakes. Sharptown lays claim to the shore’s largest fireman’s carnival now in its 82nd year.

48th Annual Wheat Threshing Steam & Gas Engine Show, Federalsburg, MD. August 1-3. Official opening 10 AM each day. Events throughout each day. Plenty of good food. Breakfast begins at 7 AM. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken served daily from 10 AM until ? Parade of equipment at 5:00 PM Friday & Saturday and 4:00 PM Sunday. Antique car parade on Saturday at 1:00 PM. Free admission. Free parking. Free evening entertainment.

Annual Sand Castle Contest, Rehoboth Beach, DE. The Annual Sandcastle Contest takes place at the North End of the Boardwalk by the Henlopen Hotel beginning at 8:30am.

45th Annual Antiques Show, Lewes, DE. August 2. Getting ready for its 45th season in 2008, The Lewes Historical Society Antiques Show has the distinction of being the Society’s oldest continuing tradition. Comprised of many quality antique dealers from the Mid-Atlantic region, each show attracts nearly 2,000 visitors. Hours of the show are 9 AM to 4 PM; admission to each show is $3.00, children under 12 free.

14th Annual Peach Festival, Kent Fort Farm, Stevensville, MD. August 2. Free Hay Ride, petting zoo, balloons, pit beef, hot dogs, sodas, Homemade peach ice-cream, face-painting & crafters. Pick your own peaches and blackberries. Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

18th Annual Thunder on the Narrows. Thunder on the Narrows Powerful Hydroplanes. Speeds over 100mph. Family Event. 7 classes of stocks and Modified Engines & Jersey Skiffs. Join the FUN! Remembering 50 years of Hydroplane Racing on Kent Island. Food and entertainment on grounds. No coolers. Admission: $5 adults, under 12 are free. Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Kent Island Yacht Club grounds, Chester Kent Narrows Racing Association.

Blessing of the Combines, Snow Hill, MD. August 2. Annual event celebrating the farming community and our agricultural heritage. Parade, entertainment, tractor pull, food and crafts. 10am-6pm.

Annual Truck & Car Show, July 26, 9am-3pm at the Somerset County Fairgrounds. All proceeds will be donated to Somerset County 4-H .

Artworks Members Show, July 4-26. Whether working with computer graphics or a pin-hole camera, paint brush or pottery, metal, wood or wool—the latest and best of members’ work make this a brilliant event. 306 Park Row, Chestertown.

Greek Festival, July 25-27, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay. Enjoy delicious authentic cuisine & pastries, live music & dance performances. Vendors selling Greek music, books, paintings and more. Admission. Fri. & Sat., noon-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-9 p.m.

Cecil County Fair, July 18-26. Head to Fair Hill for 4-H shows, truck and tractor pulls, and nightly live entertainment. Rtes 273 & 213, Fair Hill, Md. 410-392-3440,

58th Annual Kent Island Fireman’s Carnival, July 20-26. Help raise funds for the volunteer fire department’s equipment and maintenance while enjoying a parade, childrens’ games, rides, and fireworks. Kent Island, Md. 6-11 p.m. 410-643-5454,

Plein Air Competition and Festival, July 21-27. Artists from across the country descend upon Talbot County to paint local landscapes along farm fields and waterfronts. Artist exhibit their works at the arts festival at the Academy Art Museum. Throughout Easton, Md.

Chincoteague Blueberry Festival, July 25-27. Enjoy blueberries in every form, from pies to soups. Chincoteague Center, Chincoteague Island, Va. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 757-824-3868

97th Annual Cambridge Classic Powerboat Regatta, July 26 & 27. Watch inboard hydroplanes and flat-bottom boats thunder across the Choptank River. Access to the race pits and bleacher seating is available. Hambrooks Bay at Great Marsh Park, Cambridge, Md. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wheels On the Waterfront Classic Car Cruise-In, July 26. The Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce & The Wheels That Heal Car Club are co-sponsoring a classic car cruise-in. Dash plaques to 1st 150 exhibitors, car owner goodie bags, door prize drawings, D.J., exhibitors’ hospitality tent, 50/50 raffle - all proceeds benefit Women Supporting Women, a local breast cancer counseling group. W. Main St. in downtown Crisfield. Rain date 08/02/08.

Cub Scout Pack 437 Recycling Drive, July 26, 9:00-11:00 AM. Mardela Fire House parking lot. Help Cub Scouts raise money for camp by bringing aluminum cans, old appliances and any other scrap metal products.

2008 CHESAPEAKE BAY LOG CANOE RACES, July 26 and 27, ST. MICHAELS….Miles River Yacht Club - Governor`s Cup.

Concert in the Park, July 27. 7:30 PM. City Park Bandstand. Free. Featuring the Salisbury Community Band under the direction of Charles F. Smith Jr.

Delaware State Fair, July 17-26. Harrington, DE.

Bloxom Fest, July 26, 5-8 PM. Bloxom Winery, Mason Rd., Bloxom, VA. Live music, food and wine.

Wachapreague Carnival, July 1-19. This old-fashioned carnival features the annual Miss Wachapreague contest, funnel cakes, clam fritters, and live music. Wachapreague Carnival Wed.-Sat. 7 p.m.

Artworks Members Show, July 4-26. Whether working with computer graphics or a pin-hole camera, paint brush or pottery, metal, wood or wool—the latest and best of members’ work make this a brilliant event. 306 Park Row, Chestertown.

Kent County Fair, July 17-19. See livestock and horse shows, auctions, 4-H exhibits. And don’t miss the beef and chicken barbecue. Tolchester Fairground, Chestertown, Md. Thurs.-Fri. 12-10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Cecil County Fair, July 18-26. Head to Fair Hill for 4-H shows, truck and tractor pulls, and nightly live entertainment. Rtes 273 & 213, Fair Hill, Md.

2nd Annual Baltimore Ravens, NFL, Pepsi, Punt, Pass and Kick Competition, July 19. 406 E. Gordy Road, Salisbury, Md. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free to all boys and girls ages 8-15.

58th Annual Kent Island Fireman’s Carnival, July 20-26. Help raise funds for the volunteer fire department’s equipment and maintenance while enjoying a parade, childrens’ games, rides, and fireworks. Kent Island, Md. 6-11 p.m.

American Legion Post Unit #28 Annual Car Show, July 19. Any and all types of cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors are invited. Trophies for each class, with special trophies for paints & interiors. Special Dash Plaques for the first 100 entries. Food & beverages for purchase, door prizes, DJ music, 50/50 drawings and more. 31768 Legion Rd. & Rt. 24, Millsboro, DE.

83rd Annual Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Rides, games, food, live entertainment, raffles, and much more. Fun for the whole family. Every Friday & Saturday in July. NO SUNDAYS. Proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

Furnace Town 30th Anniversary Celebration, July 20. Noon-5 p.m. Strolling musicians, storyteller, chat with local authors, visit heritage booths, children’s activities, presentation of 19th century artists. Music at the Old Nazareth Church: 1:15 p.m., Frank Nanna and the String Dusters; 2:30 p.m., Free range Pickin’; 3:45 p.m., The Country Grass.

Concert in the Park, July 20. 7:30 PM. City Park Bandstand. Free. Featuring the Salisbury Community Band under the direction of Charles F. Smith Jr.

Delaware State Fair, July 17-26. Harrington, DE.

Saturday, June 28th

Federalsburg Xtravaganza, Marina Park, 6:00-10:00 PM. Marshyhope River raft race, Fireworks.

Tilghman Island Seafood Festival, Kronsberg Park. Steamed crabs, live entertainment, food vendors, crab picking contest, hard crab races, fireman’s parade.

Truck and Tractor Pull, Pocomoke Fairgrounds, Gates open at 4:00 PM.

Lewes Seafaring Days, presented by the Lewes Historical Society. Maritime programs, fresh seafood, kayak tours, artists.

Sidewalk Fine Arts Show, Milton, DE. 9:00AM-4:00PM.

A Tour of Horn Point Lab, UMCES, Cambridge, MD, 10:00AM. 90 minute walking tour of state of the art environmental labs.

Sunday, June 29th

Choptank Riverside Concert Series, Sarah Ayers Band, Cambridge, MD. Sailwinds Park, 3:00 PM.

Salisbury Community Band Concert, City Park Bandstand, 7:30 PM.

They might just be towns down the road to residents of the Delmarva Peninsula, but travelers through our region consider some of our local burgs to be the best getaways of the Northeast region of the United States. The IgoUgo Travel Blog lists four Delmarva towns among their best summer getaways. The four highly acclaimed destinations are St. Michael’s in MD, Milton of DE, and the towns of Chincoteague and Cape Charles, VA. All of these spots would make a fantastic day trip or weekend escape.

The 8th Annual Art’s Alive Fine Arts show will take place on June 21-22 at Northside Park, 127th St, in Ocean City, MD. Art’s Alive features over 100 artists in a juried competition with entries in 12 categories including Ceramics, Drawing, Fiber, Furniture, Glass, Printmaking, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Fine Wood. Exhibits will be set up around Northside Park’s deep water lagoon on Ocean City’s bay side. Children’s workshops will be available thanks to the support of the Worcester County Arts Council. Artwork will be available for sale, and visitors can enjoy lunch and live music at the Artists’ Cafe.

Art will also be alive and outdoors during The Plein Air Paint Out in Rehoboth Beach, DE. From June 20-22, about 30 artists will be setting up their easels all around the downtown area including the boardwalk and Silver Lake. On Saturday, the galleries of Rehoboth Beach will be participating in ARTwalk from 6-9 PM, and on Sunday, a special event will be held at the Bellmoor Inn to recognize the winners of the weekend competition.

The 2008 Delmarva Chicken Festival sponsored by Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., and hosted by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce will be held on June 20th and 21st on the grounds of The Centre at Salisbury. Activities are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday and 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturday. The schedule of events includes live entertainment, carnival rides, car shows and vendors offering food and crafts.

The 21st Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival will be taking place at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels from June 13-15. The event is hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, and awards for the best boats will be given at a picnic on Sunday. The festival includes over 100 boats on display from 11 feet to 76 feet long. There will also be a flea market, craft booths and kids’ activities. Check out the museum web site for a schedule of events.

The Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival still has a few events left in its two week schedule including a free show at the Academy Art Museum on June 11th. Venues around the Easton area will host small ensembles playing exceptional selections of chamber music from well known composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, as well as contemporary composers including Andre Previn and Peter Child.

The 2008 Cypress Festival will take place from June 11-14 at Cypress Park in Pocomoke City, MD. The event is hosted by the Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce along with the Worcester County Arts Council, and a complete schedule of events is available on their web site. The Cypress Festival includes rides, games and live entertainment. Other highlights include an antique car and truck show along with a fireworks display to close out the week.