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Canada: Toronto, Ontario – Telephone in Casa Loma, Toronto
High tech telephones can be found in most of the rooms (even his bathroom) of Sir Henry Pellatt’s castle-like home, Casa Loma – and this was in 1913! 
US: West Friendship, MD – Nothing Compares to the Howard County Fair
For some good wholesome family fun you aren’t going to want to miss the 73rd Annual Howard County Fair. An American tradition, the fair is a celebration of Howard County’s farming past and present.
The Howard County Fair offers something for all ages including: interactive exhibits, livestock exhibits, agricultural displays, petting zoo, contests, entertainment, amusement rides and games, food and loads of family-oriented fun.
Featured events at the fair are: horse shows, pony rides, Antique tractor pulls, and livestock competitions, 4-H shows/exhibits, Demo Derby, Rodeo, Horse-Pulling Contest, Antique Automobile Show, Pie Eating Contest, Pig Races, Bingo, AG Displays and Farm produce. Enjoy some of the area’s best live music, from rock and country, to bluegrass.
Schedule of Some Featured Events:
Pig Races – 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, & 8pm
Bingo Hall – Opens Daily at 6pm
Pony Rides – 10am – 10pm
AG Displays – Daily
Farm Produce – Daily
Mule Pulling Contest First Sat @ 9am
Coon Mule Jump – immediately after the Mule Pulling Contest
Horse Pulling Contest – First Sat- @ 10am
Antique Tractor Pull – First Sat @ 4pm
Draft Horse & Mule Show – Sun @ 8:30 am
Pretty Animal Contest – Sun @ 11am
Pie Eating Contest-Sun @ 12:30
Sheep Dog Demonstrations – Sun – 4, 6, & 8pm.
Kids and Critters – Barn Hours @ 10:30 am – 2pm & 4pm – 8:30pm
Parade of Floats -Sat, Aug 11 @ 5pm
Auto Demolition Derby#1– Wed, Aug 8 @ 7pm
Auto Demolition Derby#2 – Sat, Aug 11@ 6pm
For a complete schedule of events: HowardCountyFair.org
Family time that’s so much fun and affordable. Parking for the Howard County Fair is always FREE!
Location: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794
Date: Aug 4th – 11th, 2018
Time: daily from 8am – 11pm
Tel: 410-442-1022
howardcountyfair.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visithowardcounty.com
US: Dedham, MA – New England Bear, Doll and Folk Art Show
The New England Bear, Doll & Folk Art Show is a 1 day event being held on April 8th, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Boston Dedham Htl & Conf Ctr in Dedham, MA.
This eclectic and one-of-a-kind display showcases a spectacular selection of dolls, teddy bears and folk art including antique, collectible, fashion, Barbie, reborns & original artist dolls and bears from the 18th century to the 21st century.
Also featured are a wide range of doll houses and miniatures based creations, plus vintage clothing & linens, furniture and doll parts, toys, American Girl clothing and much more. UFDC information table and door prizes.
There will also be available identification, valuation, restringing and minor repairs.
Free Parking
Location: Holiday Inn Boston-Dedham, 55 Ariadne Rd, Dedham, MA 02026
Date: Sun, April 8, 2018
Time: 10am – 3pm
Tel: 603-969-1699
collinsgifts.com/events
For Regional Accommodation, Restaurants & Attraction: bostonusa.com
US: Brunswick, GA – Bring Your Appetite to Sample at the Birthplace of Brunswick Stew
Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee takes place annually at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, recognizing Brunswick, Georgia as the birthplace of the original Brunswick Stew. As the oft-told tale goes, a slave cook named Jimmy Matthews created the concoction in 1828. Nearly two centuries later, the original meat – squirrel – is out and, today, chicken, is in.
Each year, cooking teams from near and far compete to see who has the best stew, in a cook-off where the culinary skills and secret recipes are challenged by amateur and professional chefs, vying for the coveted Peoples’ Choice and Judges’ Award.
In addition to stew tasting there will be loads of other fun family activities. The day long event begins with the 5k Road Race followed by the Pet Supplies Plus Pooch Parade, Live Entertainment, The Kid’s Junior Stewbilee Central Fun Zone, Classic and Antique Car Show, Arts & Crafts displays and of course, sampling of the Best Brunswick Stew in the nation. 
Schedule:
9am – Motor Cycle Ride
10am – Live Music – Pier Pressure
10:15am – Pooch Parade
12:15pm – Live Music – 3 Day Weekend
11am – 2pm – Brunswick Rockin’ Stew Tasting
Location: Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Bay & Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520
Date: Sat, Jan 27th, 2018
Time: 9am – 2pm
Tel: 912-996-4593
stewbilee.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goldenisles.com
US: Kingsland, GA – Kingsland for Southern-fried Catfish and Small Town Family Fun
Kingsland, GA Exit 3: Enjoy this down-home festival with crispy Southern-fried catfish and all the fixings, festival goers can feast on this and much more at Kingsland’s 35th Annual Catfish Festival.
The family-fun, outdoor festival kicks off at 9am Saturday, November 18th and lasts throughout the day, concluding with annual Night Parade. Throw in arts & craft booths, a variety of food booths, antiques and collectibles, magic show, live entertainment, a children’s amusement area, 5K run and you are in for a great time.
Two local bands are in the line-up this year, Milltown Road and The Bluff 5 Band along with Country music artist Keith Anderson. The night parade begins at 6pm and Keith Anderson performs after the parade at 7pm.
To make this experience more complete, make sure to indulge in the local grub; the famous, heavenly southern-fried catfish with grits, hush puppies, coleslaw and sweet ice tea, you will be so glad you did.
Admission FREE, dogs on leashes welcome.
Location: Downtown Kingsland, 107 South Lee Street, Kingsland, GA 31548
Date: Sat, Nov 18th, 2017
Hours: 9am – 9pm
Tel: 912-729-5999
kingslandcatfishfestival.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitkingsland.com
US: Dunn, NC – Celebrating Cotton and Importantly, the Cotton Farmers
The 19th annual North Carolina Cotton Festival takes place in Downtown Dunn on November 4, 2017. This family-fun event draws more than 10,000 people each year and is a celebration of the farmer and in particular the cotton farmer and their contributions as well as the cotton farming and harvesting heritage that plays an important role in the Dunn area.
November is peak season for cotton farmers and downtown Dunn was once known as the largest wagon cotton yard in the country. During the festival, the local cotton gin, that until recent years was located in downtown, offers free tours through the gin, allowing you to see cotton production up close and personal. Shuttles are offered from the festival site to the gin every half hour.
The event covers over 16 city blocks and offers entertainment on 2 stage featuring a variety of music, carnival rides and games, a classic car show -where over 100 antique and custom cars compete for best in show, petting zoo, Kiddie Land, Antique Tractor Show, over 125 vendors showcasing commodities like cotton, needle work, fabric, food and crafts.
FREE admission, lots of downtown shopping at some interesting shops, freebies and family fun for all ages.
Location: Downtown Dunn
Date: November 4, 2017
Time:10am – 4pm
Tel: 910-892-3282
nccottonfestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: dunntourism.org
US: Benson, NC – A Celebration For Farmer’s Best Friend – the Mule
The small town of Benson, North Carolina, with a population of around 3500, will swell to approximately 30,000 come September 21-24, 2017 when the 68th Annual Benson Mule Days Celebration, which honors the farmer’s best friend, the mule, is 
sponsored by the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce.
This festival is filled with family fun and activities for everyone young and old. The weekend is packed with rodeos, a mule pulling contest, arts and crafts, vendors, street dances, carnival rides, camping, parades, bluegrass shows and more.
Friday, visitors can enjoy many events including the Mule Competitions held in the Chamber Park and Arena. They will see mule coon jumping, a mule race, Best of Show and many other events. If you haven’t seen a mule competition this is a must see for the whole family.
Saturday is a big day at Benson Mule Days as thousands of spectators grapple for a place to sit or stand to observe the one of the biggest parades in North Carolina. Bands, floats, Shriner units, classic cars, antique tractors, unique entries, beauty queens, and hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, wagons make their way down Main Street of Benson beginning at 10am.
There are three rodeos of which the first begins on Friday night followed by a Saturday night and Sunday afternoon performance. A new event this year are Mule Day Dances. After the rodeos on Friday and Saturday nights, kick up your heels at the Chamber Park.
Get a complete schedule of events- here
Location: Various – see schedule
Date: Sept 21-24, 2017
Hours: Various – see schedule
Tel: 919-894-3825
bensonmuledays.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: johnstoncountync.org
US: Barberville, FL – Judge the Chili Cook Off and Ice Cream Churn Off
The Barberville Pioneer Settlement is celebrating the end of summer with the coolest hottest event ever – Fire & Ice. Feast on delicious chili and fresh-made ice cream at this exciting fall festival that occurs on a 30-acre historic site with a village museum and over 10,000 artifacts. 
Enjoy this FREE admission festival and for only $4 you get to sample and judge chili & ice-cream, where you can cool your tongues with homemade ice cream after voting for your favorite chili. Cash prizes to be awarded to People’s Choice.
With a plethora of activities sure to keep you entertained: FREE music workshops and jam session with volunteers teaching everything from the guitar and banjo to the dobro and dulcimer, community yard sale, antique tractors and engines display, and lots more, and of course the infamous Chili Cook Off and Ice Cream Churn Off.
Tastings are at noon, until it’s gone, so arrive early.
Location: Pioneer Settlement, 1776 Lightfoot Lane, Barberville, FL 32105
Date: Sat, Sept 2, 2017
Time: 9 – 4pm
Tel: 386-749-2959
pioneersettlement.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com
US: West Friendship, MD – The Howard County Fair Celebrating 72 Years!
The 72nd Annual Howard County Fair kicks off on Saturday, August 5th through Saturday, August 12th, 2017. The fair is a celebration of Howard County’s farming past and present. 
An American tradition loaded with wonderfully wholesome family fun including: magic shows, clowns, balloon artists, carnival rides and games, interactive exhibits, educational demonstrations, livestock exhibits, musical entertainment, an animal petting zoo and appetizing food.
The Howard County Fair hosts horse shows, pony rides, Antique tractor pulls, and livestock competitions, 4-H shows/exhibits, Demo Derby, Rodeo, Horse-Pulling Contest, Antique Automobile Show, Pie Eating Contest, Pig Races, Bingo, AG Displays and Farm produce. Enjoy some of the area’s best live music, from rock and country, to bluegrass 
and oldies.
There is also a PRCA All American Pro Rodeo on August 8th & 9th, 7:00 pm as well as a Demolition Derby on August 9th & 12th – 7:00 pm.
Schedule of Some Featured Events:
Horse-Pulling Contest – First Saturday @ 10:00 am
Antique Tractor Pull – First Saturday @ 4:00 pm
Antique Automobile Show – Sunday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pie Eating Contest – Sunday @ 12:00 noon
Pretty Animal Contest – Sunday @ 11:00 am
Miss Howard County Farm Bureau Contest,
Future Howard County Farmer, and
Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau Contest – Sunday @ 3:00 pm
Mule Pulling Contest – First Saturday @ 9:00 am
Coon Mule Jump – First Saturday, immediately after Mule Pull
Howard County’s Got Talent – Thursday @ 7:00 pm
Baby Contest Miniature Parade – Last Saturday @ 10:00 am
Parade of Floats – Last Saturday @ 5:00 pm
Amusement Rides & Games – Hours:
Saturdays and Sunday: 12 Noon – 11 pm;
Monday through Friday: 2pm – 11pm
“Kids and Critters” Barn Hours:
10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
(CLOSED DAILY FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM)
Pig Races – 12 Noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, & 8 pm
Bingo Hall – Opens Daily at 6 pm
Pony Rides – 10 am – 10 pm
AG Displays – DAILY
Farm Produce – DAILY
Location: 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794 Get Directions
Dates: Aug 5 – 12, 2017
Time: 8 AM – 11PM
Tel: 410-442-1022
howardcountyfair.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visithowardcounty.com
US: Ashland, VA – Enjoy Fresh Strawberries or Some in Delicious Recipes at Ashland Strawberry Faire
It’s strawberry season at the Ashland Strawberry Faire, a 
community and family-oriented event celebrating the strawberry harvest.Now in its 36th year, The Ashland Strawberry Faire is held on the streets of Randolph-Macon College in historic Ashland, Virginia and draws approximately 40,000 to the Ashland region for fresh strawberries, food, music, arts, crafts, plants, antiques and games.
Ashland Strawberry Faire is a FREE family and pet friendly street party featuring 
live music and entertainment throughout the day, a Kid’s Zone filled with fun activities such as a Cake Walk, Moon Bounce, Raffles, Arts and Crafts, and games ranging from Golf Putt, Bean Bag Toss, Lollipop Picking. There will also be a strawberry pageant, pet pageant and a Kissing Booth (to benefit the Hanover Humane Society) – There are lots of prizes and treats for all. Proceeds from the event to aid the Hanover County non-profit organizations and scholarships – “Berry Good People making the Difference”.
Location: 500 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005
Date: Sat, June 3, 2017
Hours: 10 -5pm
Tel: 804-752-8289
ashlandstrawberryfaire.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: town.ashland.va.us