The Knit and Crochet show has stitched together dozens of classes with registration starting on Wednesday and continuing through the weekend. Purl and loop the weekend away with expert advice and instruction, or shop the day away with aisle after aisle of fiber, stitching tools, finishing accessories, patterns and books. 

Drive by the Natural History Museum later this week and you will likely see the biggest quilt you’re ever to encounter. The Aids Memorial Quilt is being laid out and assembled on the green. Come down and help assemble the quilt at the Quilting Bee, visit the Kids’ Create! Tent, or explore any of the other countless activities happening at three different “campuses” of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. 

Hark! Thou should’st attend the Great Bend Renaissance Festival e’er it’s over if it please thee. Ahem, pray pardon me, but that is mostly the extent of my knowledge of Elizabethan language — but, verily, not the end of the fun to be had at the festival. Dozens of skilled artisans will be in costume featuring their wares, and as many performers will be demonstrating their archaic talents yonder at the festival. 

Drawing over 150,000 people, the WSAL Fine Arts and Craft Fair must be a big deal. Let the kiddos go to the Children’s Art Tent for a $5 admission and they can pick out their own collector’s items donated by generous artists from around the Midwest. Pick up some delicious carnival food from local vendors. Whatever you do, don’t miss out! 

Bring the family to the Italian American Summer Festival and get some great food. Bada bing, bada boom, all of a sudden everybody’s having a good time. Capish? 

Prescott is the home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Embrace your inner cowhand and gallop on over for the annual Rodeo Days, where bull riding and specialty acts continue every day of the weekend. Peruse the fine art and original pieces by talented artists in between the heart-pounding excitement. Yee-haw!