As August winds down, so does vacation time for many of us. Do not forget though, there are still so many things to do and places to explore-especially our state fairs.  The list below includes many that are just getting started this week.  If you have ever been, or are a regular visitor to any of these fairs, share your experience for others to read in the comments section or better yet, write a letter, stuff it in an envelope and mail it off to a colleague or family member.
17-27, Kentucky State Fair (With World’s Championship Horse Show). Kentucky Fair and Expo Center, Louisville, KY. www.kystatefair.org.
17-20, Milwaukee Irish Fest.  Henry Maier Festival Grounds, Milwaukee, WI. 37th annual. www.irishfest.com.
17-20, Sun Prairie’s Sweet Corn Festival.Sun Prairie, WI. Family-oriented fun. www.sunprairiechamber.com
18-20, Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. Machias, ME. 42nd annual. www.machiasblueberry.com.
18-27,. Western Idaho Fair.  Boise, ID. 119th annual. www.idahofair.com.
19-Oct 1, Minnesota Renaissance Festival. renaissancefest.com.
19, Norskedalen’s Threshing Bee. Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, Coon Valley, WI. norskedalen.org
21, Solar Eclipse. Total eclipse of the sun. Visible in North America.
24-Sept. 4, Alaska State Fair. Palmer, AK. www.alaskastatefair.org.
24-Sept. 4, Maryland State Fair. Timonium, MD. marylandstatefair.com.
24-Sept. 4, New York State Fair. Syracuse, NY. nysfair.org.
25-Sept. 4, Colorado State Fair.  State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, CO. coloradostatefair.com.
25-Sept. 4, Nebraska State Fair. Grand Island, NE. statefair.org. 
25-Sept. 4 Oregon State Fair. Salem, OR. oregonstatefair.
26-Sept. 3, National Championship Chuckwagon Races. Clinton, AR. 32nd annual. chuckwagonraces.com.
31-Sept 4, National Sweetcorn Festival. McFerren Park, Hoopeston, IL.
Aug. 31-Sept. 4, South Dakota State Fair.  Huron, SD.