A Labor Day Fair to Remember

Hey, beat the rush. Last year everyone went to the 150th anniversary of the Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. This is the 151st, 49 years ahead of the 200th. Think of the crowds you'll avoid.

Aside from the 300-plus food and retail vendors and carnival rides, attractions will include the Living Statue, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Robo the Clown, the Barnyard Babies Birthing Center, sand sculpture by Sandtasia, go kart racing and pulling contests of all kinds. Entertainment on three stages will include the Guess Who, Little Big Town, Foghat, Bo Bice, Katie Armiger and others, including Native American dancers and kids shows.

That bad girl Irene slowed the process for vendors to join the fair, but it's all on now ... Friday through Monday, Sept. 2-5.

The Woodstock Fairgrounds are at 281 Route 169 in Woodstock. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors age 60 and above and free for children 10 and under. For more information, visit http://www.woodstockfair.com/.  

Nature Unleashed, an Interactive Exhibit!

If unleashed nature hasn't lost its appeal for you this week, cross the river and see Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters, a limited exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center before it closes Sunday, Sept. 4.

As New Englanders this spring and summer, you may have experienced tornado, earthquake and hurricane, but do you know what it's like actually to stand inside a roaring tornado, trigger an underwater earthquake and tsunami, or create a virtual volcano? Perhaps not.

This exhibit and its national tour were developed by the folks at the Field Museum in Chicago. Click this link for a preview: http://ctsciencecenter.org/exhibits/featured-exhibits/default.aspx.

The exhibit is free with a general admission to the Science Museum, which is at 250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford. Call 860-724-3623 for more information or visit  www.CTScienceCenter.org.

A Pool Party for the Dogg Days

Snoop Dogg, jack of all rap, will not only appear in concert at Foxwoods' MGM Grand Theater this Saturday, Sept. 3, he will host the last-of-the-season First Fridays Pool Party the night before, Friday, Sept. 2.

On Saturday, the top Dogg will no doubt perform selections from his upcoming 11th album, Doggumentary, which showcases the street raps that made him No. 1 in his genre but also the creative collaborations that have exploded him into pop culture reign.

The pool party is just that, not a concert, but requires club attire and no bathing suits. It starts at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Admission is $25 and ID showing you're 21 or over. The concert is at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Tickets are $30-50. For information call 1-800-200-2882 or visit http://www.foxwoods.com/FoxTheater.aspx.

The Roar and Fireworks in Stafford

How about a crowd-pleasing, dusty Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway to get into Labor Day weekend? On Sept. 2, races include the SK Modified, Late Model, SK Light, Limited Late Model and DARE Stock. Plus fireworks!

The Stafford Motor Speedway is at 55 West St., Stafford Springs. Just follow the sound. Visit the Speedway's Box Office at http://www.staffordspeedway.com/Pages/BoxOffice/BoxOffice.htm, call 860-684-2783.

It's More Than a Hill of Beans

Love and war, Ilsa and Rick, the most mistakenly quoted line of all time -- "Play it again, Sam." How can you miss with the ultimate Bergman and Bogart classic Casablanca?

Free summer deals are almost over. So, if you haven't made it yet, go to Rockville Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. That's 6 on the 6th. Eat free popcorn and enjoy one of the best with other film lovers around you.

The Rockville Public Library is at 52 Union St., in Vernon. For information, visit http://www.rockvillepubliclibrary.org/events.html.