The Maryland State Fair will return this year Friday, Aug. 22-Monday, Sept. 1, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. As always, there will be lots of midway rides, 4-H contests and live entertainment. Highlights include performances by Foreigner (Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.) and Travis Tritt (Aug. 29, 7 p.m.). Also on the bill will a plethora of animal and 4-H displays, as well as flower shows. Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for seniors and children aged 6-11. For more details, call 410-252-0200, or go to www.marylandstatefair.com.

Renaissance redux

The annual Maryland Renaissance Festival will be staged weekends from Aug. 23 through Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., on Crownsville Road, off Route 97 in Anne Arundel County. The popular fair recreates the environment of a 16th century English village and features craft vendors, jousting matches, magicians, jugglers, period food and a children's area. Admission at the gate is $18 general, $15 for seniors, $8 for youngsters aged 7-15 and free for anyone younger. Call 800-296-7304. For a rundown of events, go to www.rennfest.com.

Tour the tower

The City of Baltimore will hold a tour of the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower on Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at 21 S. Eutaw St. The 97-year-old landmark building's various sections have been redesigned to showcase visual and literary artists. Guests can check out the studios and enjoy refreshments. Admission is free. Call 410-752-8632 or go to www.bromoseltzerartstower.com.

Art meets religion

The Walters Art Museum will host a lecture and panel, Religion in Yemen: Christians, Jews and Muslims, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2 p.m., in the Graham Auditorium. Regine Schulz, director of iternational curatorial relations and curator of ancient art, will moderate this panel of artists, cultural critics and Yemeni ambassadorial staff. Admission is $10. Call 410-547-9000.

Plant education

The Irvine Nature Center will host its 14th annual Native Plant Seminar & Sale on Saturday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Four experts will speak on environmental matters, after which workshops will be offered on such topics as native plant propagation and green landscape design. Local nurseries will also sell plants. The sale, workshops and lunch will happen at Irvine's new facility in Owings Mills (11210 Garrison Forest Road), while the seminar will take place at Garrison Forest School (300 Garrison Forest Road). Admission is $70 ($25 for just the workshops).

Step into style

A host of Baltimore boutiques will come together to show their new wares at a discount at the Shop Hop, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 5-9 p.m., in the 1840's Ballroom in the 1840s Carrollton Inn (29 S. Front St.). The one-night-only event will feature such boutiques as Bailey's on Maryland Avenue, Cupcake, Diva, Form Boutique, Fresh! Boutique, Horse Boutique, Jewels Ltd., L'Apparenza, Saucy Shoes, South Moon Under, Urban Chic and Whimsy & Reason. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Go to www.paperdollmag.com/shophop.

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