The Maryland State Fair, Brian Wilson and more of the top Baltimore-area events this week

Maryland State FairWelcome to the joys and marvels of the Maryland State Fair, for the 135th time showcasing the Free State's greatest vegetables, finest farm animals, loudest carnival barkers (seems like it, at least), funnest rides and all those other earmarks of summer. Nowhere else this week can you gape in astonishment at a giant pumpkin, down a fried turkey leg, chew on some bulk-purchased saltwater taffy, ride a Ferris wheel and check out the pig races, all the while reveling in the joy of being a Marylander. Oh yeah, and you can check out a concert or two — this year's performers include Charlie Puth (8 p.m. Sept. 3, $50) and Jana Kramer (8 p.m. Sept. 4, $40). The fair itself opens Thursday with a ride preview from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. and runs through Sept. 5; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, although some parts of the fair open later. $3-$8, free for kids 5 and under. marylandstatefair.com.Harrison Ford starred in &quot;American Graffiti,&quot; which will be shown Thursday at the American Visionary Art Museum.Outdoor Film fests ending for seasonMost of the area's free outdoor movie showcases are ending their seasonal runs this week. That includes the Flicks from the Hill series at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. (&quot;American Graffiti,&quot; 9 p.m. Thursday, avam.org); Little Italy's Cinema al Fresco series at High and Stiles streets (&quot;Cinema Paradiso,&quot; sundown Friday, littleitalymd.org); Fells Point's Films on the Pier series, near the foot of Broadway (&quot;Everybody Wants Some,&quot; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, facebook.com/FilmsOnThePier) and Summer Movie Nights in Bel Air's Shamrock Park, Lee Way and McCormick Street (&quot;Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens,&quot; sunset Friday, belairmaryland.org).Baltimore Art, Antique &amp; Jewelry ShowTons of art, antiques and jewelry, all for sale to the discerning among you. And for $175,000, you can even buy a pocket watch Abraham Lincoln once bought for (but never gave to) his future wife, Mary. Noon-8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at the Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. $20 (good for all four days). baltimoresummershow.com.Miranda LambertOne of country's premier female performers, with supporting acts Kip Moore and the Brothers Osborne. 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. $45-$125. merriweathermusic.com.North Point State Battlefield Walking TourNaturalist-led tours of the 9-acre site, where local forces took on the British in 1814 (you know, during that war made famous by &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot;) and helped keep Baltimore from being raided and possibly captured. 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday at North Point State Park, 2878 S. North Point Road (intersection of North Point and Trappe roads) in Dundalk. Free, Info. 443-252-1141.The founding member and guiding force behind The Beach Boys performs Tuesday at the Hippodrome.Brian WilsonThe founding member and guiding force behind The Beach Boys performs the group's 1966 classic, &quot;Pet Sounds.&quot; With help from fellow original Beach Boy Al Jardine and later band member Blondie Chaplin. &quot;Wouldn't It be Nice,&quot; indeed. 8 p.m. Tuesday at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome, $68.50-$208. france-merrickpac.com.Wine &amp; CanvasLearn to paint, and sip on a glass of wine or two while doing so. Ah, the pleasures of art. 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway. $40. wineandcanvas.com.'Throw'This short film from directors David Larson and Darren Durlach, an award winner at this year's Telluride Mountainfilm festival, will introduce you to the astonishing talents of West Baltimore's Coffin Nachtmahr — what he can do with a yo-yo! Bet you didn't even know that Baltimore had a subculture of yo-yo &quot;throwers.&quot; Followed by a demonstration from Nachtmahr and a Q&A with the directors. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. $15. Tickets through eventbrite.com.Orioles vs. NationalsThe battle for Beltway supremacy is enjoined, with both teams fighting to stay near the top of their respective divisions. Come on out and support the O's — especially when they go up against that squad from D.C., it's a matter of civic pride. 7:05 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. $15-$72. (And if you're a real fan, you'll head down to Washington for the 7:05 p.m. games Wednesday and Thursday at Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE.) orioles.com.Charm City Baroque: 'The Garden of the Violin'Sonatas by Fontana, Frescobaldi, Uccellini, Schmelzer, Walther and Biber, performed by a chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Featuring Baroque violin, harpsichord, theorbo and Baroque lute. A little something different. 2 p.m. this afternoon at An Die Musik Live, 409 N. Charles St. $10-$15. andiemusiklive.com.

The Maryland State Fair, Brian Wilson and more of the top Baltimore-area events this week

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