Thursday, Aug. 28
The Hopkinton State Fair starts today and runs through Monday, Sept. 1, at the fairgrounds, 392 Kearsarge Ave. in Contoocook. In addition to the midway with a selection of rides (see the list at hsfair.org), the fair will feature the Demolition Derby (Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6:30 p.m), Dialed Action Sports (Thursday at 6:30 p.m.), the New England Lawn Mower Racing Association (Friday 6 p.m.) and Dialed Action Sports BMX (various times Friday through Monday). The fair will also feature dog events such as Disc-Connected K9s (shows Thursday through Monday) and Dockdogs (daily) as well as live stock shows, pulling competitions, home arts and NH 4-H show and auction, the website said. Get juggling and magic performances daily on the Country Porch Stage and find live music on The Ag Stage including Linda Nelson (Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m), Dan Morgan (times Friday through Monday), April Cushman (Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Brad Myrick (Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the website said. Fair hours are 5 to 10 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Buy admission passes, admission and ride mega passes and special show tickets through the website.
Thursday, Aug. 28
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats will play Game 3 of a six-game home series against the Erie SeaWolves tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester, 641-2005, milb.com/new-hampshire). Come early for a Space Potatoes Koozie Giveaway. Tickets start at $17. Games continue Friday and Saturday (when the team plays at the Space Potatoes and there is a Space Potato socks giveaway) nights at 6:35 p.m. and Sunday at 1:35 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Post-grunge rock band Creed takes the stage at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) tonight at 7 p.m. with special guests Daughtry and Mammoth will open. Tickets start at $49.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Cruising Downtown returns to downtown Manchester today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., organized by the Rotary Club of Manchester. The day will feature cars on display, along with food, local vendors and live music with Off Duty Angels, Linda Lane Band, Speed Trap and Permanent Vacation, according to the club’s Facebook page. See cruisingdowntownmanchester.com.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Today is the Clear the Shelter Finale at Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord Merrimack County (94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 856-8756, pmspca.org) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a 50 percent off pet adoption fees for adult pets.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Temple Mountain plays an afternoon solo set today at 3 p.m. at Contoocook Cider Co. in Contoocook. The Peterborough-based singer-guitarist mixes originals with fun covers. Sunday, Aug. 31, 3 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co., 656 Gould Hill Road, Contoocook, templemountainmusic.com.
Save the Date! Friday, Sept. 19
The annual celebration of Scottish culture, music, food and sports returns to Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. The annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21, according to nhscot.org. See events such as stone lifting and caber toss, historical reenactments of life in the Highlands, “Try It” classes, kids’ events and more. Purchase tickets for a single day or the weekend on the website along with tickets for special musical performances and food events, such as the Cape Breton dinner and whisky master classes.