The fairs and festivals of New England offer a vast menu of live music, food, shopping, and entertainment for children and families in everey season of the year. Late summer into fall is the season for the agricultural fairs like The Big E and the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts, the Fryeburg Fair in Maine, and the Brooklyn Fair in Connecticut. Tucked away in every corner of New England are the diverse one-day fests offering fine art, music of every style, hot air ballooning, Scottish Highland games, food of all descriptions, and more. For a complete list of Fairs and Festivals by state, go to Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Bennington Irish Music Festival
Colgate Park, 1545 West Road
Bennington, VT
Phone: 802-447-3900

September 4 - 5, 2010

The Bennington Irish Music Festival will boast over 20 hours of music, food, crafts and lots of stuff for kids. Headlining bands include: Maura O’Connell, Black 47, Young Dubliners, McPeake, Shana Morrison (daughter of legendary Van Morrison-and 10 times Irish National Fiddle Champion Seamus Connolly, Hair of the Dog, Jerry O’Sullivan, Laurel Martin Trio, Kieran Jordan, the Highland Rovers and many more. Time: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. both days. Cost: adults, $30 per day; $50 for both days; children 12 and under, free. Information: 802-447-3900 or visit www.benningtonirishmusicfestival.com.

Blues, Views & BBQ Festival
Leavitt Pavilion, 40 Jesup Road
Westport, CT
Phone: 917-446-2921

September 24 - 26, 2010

This barbecue festival features a professional barbecue challenge, amateur barbecue contest, music, cooking demonstrations, kid and teen activities and an opening night concert featuring Blues Traveler. Time: Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday,11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Cost: $60 per 3-day pass (includes Blues Traveler ticket); $10 per day (+ $45 for Blues Traveler ticket; $5 per day for students and seniors; children under 5, free. Information: 917-446-2921 or visit www.bluesviewsbbq.com.

Connecticut Renaissance Faire
The Lions Fairgrounds
347 Gilead Street
Hebron, CT 06248
Phone: 860-478-5954

Open 10am-6pm, September 25-26 and October 2,3, 9-11, 16, 17, 23 & 24, 2010

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The Connecticut Renaissance Faire is a unique entertainment experience and feast for your imagination. There you can take a step back in time to an enchanted 16th century harvest festival, get lost in the colorful pageantry and revelry of the faire, and enjoy storytelling, artisan demonstrations, musicians, warhorse rides, comedy, drama, jousting and so much more. Explore New England’s largest Renaissance marketplace with over a hundred artisans and crafters selling jewelry, pottery, glass, candles, musical instruments, toys, apparel, perfumes, wall hangings, sculptures, face painting, astrology readings, portraits, and more. Bring your friends and family and try your hand at games of skill, feast on a turkey leg, and chat with highly interactive characters. Costumes aren't required so come as you are or as you wish to be.

Free Parking. General Admission: $15; Youth (5-12) $8; Under 5 FREE.

Pawtucket Arts Festival
Various locations
Pawtucket, RI
Phone: 401-724-5200

August 27 - September 12, 2010

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Enjoy one of Southern New England's premiere arts and entertainment extravaganzas, featuring cultural performances, live concerts, stage shows, craft bazaars and more.
Times and Costs: see event website for details.
Information: 401-724-5200 or visit www.pawtucketartsfestival.org.

Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival
Route 9
Bennington, VT
Phone: 802-447-3311

September 4-5, 2010

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Join garlic-lovers from throughout New England as they come to sample food and crafts from 50 different vendors all made from garlic and herbs. Everything from garlic ice cream to garlic jelly, pickled garlic, roasted garlic, garlic braids and, of course, plain garlic bulbs of every variety will be available for sampling and purchase, along with planting and braiding demonstrations as well as cooking demonstrations. Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: adults, $5; children 12 and under, $1. Information: 802-447-3311 or visit www.lovegarlic.com.

Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Route 1
Topsfield, MA 01983
Phone: 978-887-5000
Fax: 978-887-3016

America’s Oldest Fair!
October 1 - October 11, 2010

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The 191st annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 1, 2010 through Columbus Day, October 11, 2010. The country's oldest continuously operating county fair features family entertainment, agricultural exhibits including the New England Giant Pumpkin weigh-off on opening day, a premier fall flower show, poultry, fruit and vegetables, rabbits, 4-H, a draft horse show, horse and oxen pulling, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas, the Essex County Farm Yard, a Farm/Fair Museum, Home Arts, art show and much, much more including the Fiesta Shows Midway.