Thursday
Maryland State Fair
Summer may be winding down, but the Maryland State Fair is just beginning. Relive memories from your own childhood and make new ones with your kids while enjoying the rides, eating funnel cake and corn dogs, viewing the exhibits, taking in great concerts and much more. This year’s Live! On Track concert series (presented by M&T Bank) includes SmashMouth, Chris Janson, Chase Bryant and Chris Lane and the B.B. King Blues Band featuring Tito Jackson. Thursday, Aug. 23 is Ridemania Preview Night from 5-10 p.m. The rest of the fair opens on Friday. Aug. 24 to Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., $10/adults (12-plus), $8/seniors, $6/children (6-11), children under 6/free, marylandstatefair.com
Improv Under the Stars
Put your thinking cap on and come ready for creative games, skits and all-around fun under the stars. Registration required. Ages 9 to 17. Howard County Public Library, Miller Branch, 6:30-8 p.m., free, hclibrary.org
Friday
‘Beauty and the Beast’ Kids’ Night Out
Enjoy the live-action movie, paint a “stained glass” dessert-style plate and complete the evening with a pizza party. All while mom and dad are out doing boring grown-up stuff. Registration required. Ages 6 and up. The Pottery Stop, 6-8:30 p.m., $32/child, thepotterystop.com
Orioles vs. Yankees
Head to Camden Yards and root for the home team as our beloved O’s battle it out against the Yankees. We could use all the cheering we can get! Make sure to stick around for post-game fireworks and music. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 7:05 p.m., $15-$85/ticket, orioles.com
Saturday
Wildlife Conservation and Recreation Day
Come for a day filled with natural fun and learning featuring habitat exploration, fishing, archery, demonstrations and crafts for kids. Fun for the whole family. Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free, fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/
The Art of Making Pasta – Parent/Child Cooking Class
Once you try fresh, homemade pasta, dry noodles from a box will never satisfy again. Enjoy an afternoon of family bonding as you learn the art of making fresh pasta and using it to make fantastic dishes. Registration required. Schola Cooking School, noon, $50, scholacooks.com
Humane Society of Harford County’s Night at the Park
Enjoy a night of minor league baseball while supporting a great cause. Watch the IronBirds battle it out against the Staten Island Yankees and find out more about the great work the Humane Society is doing locally. Purchase your ticket from HSHC’s website and $3.50 from each ticket goes to helping animals. Ripken Stadium, 6:05 p.m., $17/ticket, harfordshelter.org
End of Summer Campout
Live up the last days of summer by pitching your tent under the stars at the park. Enjoy a campfire, evening program about moths and bats, s’mores and breakfast in the morning. Registration required. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 6 p.m.-9 a.m., $4/members, $8/nonmembers oregonridgenaturecenter.org
Sunday
Family Fun Field Day 5K at Rash Field Inner Harbor
Grab your family and head to the Inner Harbor for a fun (and cheap) morning of running and walking to benefit citywide park programming. Part of the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks $5 5K series. Rash Field, 7:30-9:30 a.m., $5, bcrp.baltimorecity.gov