Travelsmartplanet

From starry night skies to mysterious dark energy, the New England Fall Astronomy Festival is your ticket to explore outer space. Learn all about astronomy and space science on September 14th and 15th at the University of New Hampshire Observatory on the Durham campus.

Tiny houses have become a huge thing, checkout the Mid-Atlantic Tiny House Expo and see why. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space.

Tiny house living is a social movement in which people decide to downsize the space they live in. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space. A typical tiny house is about 100 – 400 square feet, and come in all shapes and constructions. Building a tiny house costs significantly less than purchasing a traditional house, and are generally eco-friendly; reducing your impact on the environment and lowering energy costs.

Whether your curious or serious, attendees will be able to see the latest trends in tiny living.  Two action packed days, learning from builders, project experts and lifestyle authors at the educational conferences or panel discussions and meet other tiny house enthusiasts. See the latest in finished THOWS and shells, trailer frames, building materials, plans, products, furnishings and  appliances, and anything else you could possibly need or want to know about tiny houses. Parking FREE.
To buy tickets: tinyhouseexpos.com/tickets/#va-show-ticket-sales

If you can’t make this exhibition, there will be another one at: Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD on October 6-7, 2018

Location: Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Date: May 12 – 13, 2018
Time: 10am – 5pm
Tel: 301-775-1363
tinyhouseexpos.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfred.com

The 2nd annual Clean Water PaddleFEST in Annapolis is to celebrate and bring awareness to clean up efforts in Spa Creek while enjoying a day full of fun.

Paddle at your own pace or take a guided on-water tour of Spa Creek. Guided tours available at 2pm. See educational stops along Spa Creek detailing conservation efforts which aim to make it again fishable and swimmable. Afterwards attend the Eco-Fest with informative exhibits from area environment groups with plenty of activities for kids.

All human powered paddlers and vessels are welcome to attend. Bring your own craft or use a stand up paddle board or kayak from Capital SUP. There will be a mass paddle and foot show of support for clean water in Spa Creek at 12 noon, on and in the water around the Spa Creek bridge.

Fun activities and prizes for all ages. Kid and dog friendly. All proceeds benefit Spa Creek Conservancy.

Your ticket includes:

On-water guided or self tour
Food BBQ beverages
Wine and beer
Event tee shirt
Admission to EcoFEST
Dry Bags to first 200 ticket holders
Live Music from 1-3pm

Location:Capital SUP on Spa Creek, 808 Boucher Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403
Date: Sat, Sept 16, 2017
Time:  11  – 4pm
spacreek.net/index.php/events/special-events
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitannapolis.org

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

For some Halloween ghouly delight check out the popular Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours at the Mark Twain House. eerie enough to have been featured on SyFy Channel’s acclaimed paranormal series Ghost Hunters and the Biography Channel’s My Ghost Story, bringing their investigative teams to the house.

Prior to the tour, a short film will be shown: Ghost Tour, which was filmed in The Mark Twain House. On the tour participants will hear creepy tales and stories of spirits that surround The Mark Twain House and learn about Twain’s own interest in the supernatural.

Filled with haunted history, dark tales and Victorian traditions encompassing seances and spiritualism, these nighttime tours are as educational as they are goosebump-inducing.

The tours sell out fast and are only offered seasonally, so be sure to make your reservations.

Location: The Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105
Dates: Thurs, Fri & Sat, Oct 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th and 29th, 2016
Hours: 6 pm – 10 pm (Tours leave at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm)
Tel: 860-247-0998
marktwainhouse.org/visitor/events_programs.php#
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants and Attractions: ctvisit.com