This Labor Day week extravaganza includes agriculture activities, a large midway, 4-H exhibits, diverse musical entertainment and motorized competitions (pulling events and a demolition derby). From one end of the 65-acre compound to the other, the fair sprawls out for six days of camping, relaxation, and honky tonk atmosphere capping another North Country summer. The schedule includes activities, exhibitions, competitions, and entertainment. From the Alexander Hall, where vegetables (including the county' s largest pumpkin), flowers, and Grange exhibits are displayed, to the other end of the fairgrounds for horse pulling events, oxen skills competitions, sheep dog trials, and tractor pulls, visitors can enjoy the agricultural life of the region. Admission: Weekdays, $10; weekend days, $12; children age 5 to 11, $5; seniors on Wednesday-Friday, $5; season ticket, $45. parking, free. Information: www.lancasterfair.com/

LAKES top of listings

Rochester Fair
72 Lafayette Street
Rochester, NH
Phone: 603-332-6585

September 17-26, 2010

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Monster trucks, enlarged midway, Hollywood Racing Pigs, Circus Hollywood, Royal Friestian Stallions, Geoffrey the giraffe, acrobats. Admission: General, $10; seniors on Tuesday, September 21, free; children under age 3, free; parking, $3. All mechanical rides, free. Information: www.rochesterfair.com.

Sandwich Fair
7 Wentworth Hill Road (Route 109 North)
Center Sandwich, NH

October 9-11, 2010

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Animal exhibits and competitions; live music; baked goods auction; skillet throw; grand street parade; antique auto parade. Admission: Adults, $10; youths age 8-12; $3; children under age 7, free; all events free with admission. Information: www.thesandwichfair.com/

MERRIMACK VALLEY top of listings

Deerfield Fair
Routes 43 and 107
Deerfield, NH
Phone: 603-463-7421

September 30-October 3, 2010

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Livestock exhibits and competitions, live music, family circus, magician, pig scramble, scavenger hunt, strolling performers. Admission: Adults, $10; seniors on Thursday and Friday, $7; children age 12 and younger, free. Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Information: www.deerfieldfair.com/

Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair
4H Center, Hilldale Road and River Road
New Boston, NH
Phone: 603-391-7821

September 10-12, 2010

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The midway is open and offers games and rides for everyone. The exhibit halls are open with 4-H, Grange and open class exhibits. Friday Night is also highlighted by the Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off, ending with a fireworks display. On Saturday, the cowboy mounted shooters return this year fair. Shooters from Canada, Connecticut, New York and locally will compete in this year’s top prize. ATV pulls also take place Saturday. Sunday rounds off the weekend with the all-day truck pull. Also Sunday afternoon is the lamb and pig auctions. More entertainment on stage until the fair closes at 5 p.m. Information: http://hcafair.com/

Hopkinton Fair
Near I-89 at Exit 7
Contoocook, NH
Phone: 603-746-4191

September 2-6, 2010

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Livestock exhibits, home and garden exhibits, the Morrill Family Farm Museum, maple sugarhouse, midway by Fiesta Shows, demolition derby, monster trucks, motocross bikes, horse and ox pulling competitions, live entertainment. Hours: Gate opens at 8 a.m. and close 5 p.m. on Monday and 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Information: www.hsfair.org/

Hudson Kiwanis PumpkinFest & Family Fun Fair
210 Derry Street (Route 102)
Hudson, NH
Phone: 603-880-1516

October 15 - 17, 2010

A celebration of Fall Family Fun, complete with carnival midway, over 50 crafters, food, live bands, Cow Pie Bingo $500 cash prize, kids activities, food, and more. Time: Friday, 5 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon - 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 603-880-1516 or visit www.hudsonpumpkinfest.com.

Mahrajan -- Manchester, NH
Our Lady of the Cedars Church, 140 Mitchell Street
Manchester, NH

August 21, 2010

Mahrajan (mah-ra-jan), the Arabic word for festival, is a celebration of Middle Eastern culture with food and the music of Lebanon. Enjoy lamb kabobs, falafel, tabbouleh and pastries, Arabic music and dancing, a gift bazaar, a wine tasting and activities for kids.  Time: Saturday, noon to 9 p.m; Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m. Cost: Admission is free.  Information: www.mahrajan-nh.com.

MONADNOCK top of listings

Beaver Brook Fall Festival and Art Exhibit
Maple Hill Farm, 117 Ridge Road.
Hollis, NH

October 2 - 3, 2010

Take in this nature-themed art exhibit by well-known artists in a century old barn, and enjoy auctions, live music, demonstrations, crafts, and live raptor presentations by WingMasters and Eyes on Owls. Also partake in guided hikes, good food, things to do with all your energy, and places to rest when you're tired. Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 603-465-7787 or visit www.beaverbrook.org.

Blueberry Fiddle Festival
Swanzey, NH
Phone: 603-239-6495

August 14, 2010

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The price is right to celebrate with a one-of-a-kind, old-fashioned family festival: enjoy live music and delicious food, browse the craft vendors, run a sack race, participate in an original New England melodrama, cheer for your favorite fiddler (the contestants are judged partially on audience response), and join us for a family contra dance. Lots of fun for all ages. Time: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: free. Information:.blueberryfiddlefestival.com.

SEACOAST top of listings

Greek Heritage Festival
219 Long Hill Road
Dover, NH
Phone: 603-742-7667

September 3 - 4, 2010

Enjoy homemade Greek food, delicious pastries, and live Greek music and enjoy an amazing weekend of cultural delights. Time: Friday, 4 - 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 603-742-7667 or visit www.dovergreekfestival.com.

Hampton Beach Comedy Festival
295 Ocean Boulevard
Hampton, NH
Phone: 866-981-5056

August, 8 - 10, 2010

Hampton’s own favorite resident comedian, Jimmy Dunn has partnered with Portsmouth-based talent agency Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates to wrangle a whole crowd of crazy comics to the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel for the first Hampton Beach Comedy Festival. Five comics will step into the spotlight each night, and with the promise of surprise special guests, the event is sure to bring unprecedented level of laughter to this seashore retreat. Time: NA. $20 at the door; $15 in advance. Information: 866-981-5056 or visit www.hamptonbeachcomedy.com.

Newmarket Heritage Festival
Downtown
Newmarket Heritage Festival, NH

September 24 - 26, 2010

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Join this celebration of the arts, culture, history and community spirit of a New England mill town: multicultural music and dance, artisans at work, kayak tours, a model railway, fencing demonstration, history walks, fine arts and crafts vendors, and a Studebaker car exhibit. For kids: traditional craft tent, a ride-on train, farm animals, a bungee bounce—and more. Time: Friday, 5:30 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sundayu, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Cost: $7 for weekend admission; children under 12, free. Information: 603-659-5588 or visit www.heritage-festival.org

WHITE MOUNTAINS top of listings

Curious George Cottage Family Festival
The Rey Center, 35 Village Road
Waterville Valley, NH
Phone: 603-236-3308

August 13-15, 2010

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This will be a weekend full of family-friendly activities including a banana pancake breakfast, a family nature walk, a Fireman’s BBQ lunch, photo opportunities with Curious George and the Man With the Yellow Hat, a traveling barnyard, live music and other entertainment, face painting, games for kids, Curious George story hour and movie viewing, planetarium shows by Plymouth State University, a family spaghetti dinner, and more. All ages welcome. Time: Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cost: $28 in advance; $35 at the door; children under 2, free. Information: www.thereycenter.org.

North Country Moose Festival
Various Locations
Columbia, Colebrook, Pittsburg, NH 03576
Phone: 800-698-8939

Aug 27 - 29, 2010

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North Country visitors and families alike should mark their calendars for the fun, funky and fabulous Annual North Country Moose Festival. Friday's activities will begin in Colebrook with tree farm tour, moose mud pond fun and games, art show, music and magician at the bandstand, chicken barbecue, classic car parade, and guided moose tours. Saturday's entertainment starts with a Moose Country Fair (crafters & vendors galore), Auto Show, photography contest, fishing adventures, historical horse and wagon tours, entertainment at he bandstand, moose stew cook-off, dog show, moose calling contest, and rubber ducky race. Then we move to Pittsburg for guided hikes, dairy farm tours, boat parade, chicken barbecue, magician, guided moose tour, and music and dancing under the tent at Lake Francis 'til 10 pm. Information: 800-698-8939 or visit www.northcountrychamber.org.