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.

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.

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.

The internet has provided opportunities for both customers and contractors. People in need of a particular service can use the web to search for a contractor that has taken advantage of internet technology to promote their business. There are also sites that provide home owners the opportunity to review a contractor they have utilized. Whether you are looking for a contractor in Salisbury, MD, or you need to hire Fort Worth Contractors, ClickSmart has a list of certified experts who are properly licensed in their state and are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. When you need a reliable contractor, check with your friends, and then check on the web.

Beaver Run Elementary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2-6 p.m.

Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Thursday, August 21, 2-3 p.m.

Delmar Elementary
Friday, Aug. 22, 2-3 p.m.

East Salisbury Elementary
Friday, August 22, 1:30-4 p.m.

Fruitland Primary
Friday, Aug. 22, 1-2 p.m.

Fruitland Intermediate
Friday, Aug. 22, 2-3 p.m.

Glen Avenue Elementary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 1-2 PM.

North Salisbury Elementary
Friday, Aug. 22, 2-4 p.m.

Northwestern Elementary
Friday, Aug. 22, 3-4 p.m.

Pemberton Elementary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Pinehurst Elementary
Friday, Aug. 22, 3-4 p.m.

Prince Street Elementary
Friday, Aug. 22, 2-4 p.m.

West Salisbury Elementary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 4-6 p.m.

Westside Primary
Friday, Aug. 22, 1-2 p.m.

Westside Intermediate
Friday, Aug. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Willards Elementary
Thursday, Aug. 21, 6-7:30 p.m.

Wicomico Early Learning Center
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2-4 p.m.

Pittsville Elementary and Middle
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.

Bennett Middle
Thursday, Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m.

Salisbury Middle
Thursday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m.

Wicomico Middle
Thursday, Aug. 21, 1-4 p.m.

Mardela Middle and High
Thursday, Aug. 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

James M. Bennett High
Thursday, Aug. 21, Back-to-School Night for freshmen 7 p.m.

Parkside High
Wednesday, Aug. 20. PTA Back-to-School Night, doors open 6 p.m.

Parkside Career & Technology Education Center
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m.

Choices
Thursday, Aug. 21, 4-6 p.m.

Changes to the schedule can occur, so check the WCBOE link for updates.

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.