State Fair Every year, the Maryland State Fair promises the "11 best days of summer." This year, they might just mean it. First off, of course, there's the midway, one that includes a carousel for the kids and gravity-defying thrill rides for the kid in everyone, plus games of chance that look real simple until you try them. Add to that tons of food and all sorts of vendors, throw in the myriad politicians being as personable as can be while trolling for votes (it is an election year, after all) and don't forget all the barnyard animals making Timonium their home for the next week or so. There's the horse racing, Friday through Sunday and Sept. 3-6. And don't forget the concerts: Gretchen Wilson today, Bret Michaels on Wednesday and Justin Bieber on Sept. 5 (hope you already got your tickets for this one, since it sold out almost immediately). So, is there any kind of fun that can't be had in Timonium over the next 11 days? The fair opens today and runs through Sept. 6 at the state fairgrounds, 2200 York Road. Information: 410-252-0200 or marylandstatefair.com .
Baltimore Comic-Con Superman, Batman, Spider-Man and the X-Men — whatever your preference when it comes to comic-book superheroes, their exploits will be available all over the 11th annual Baltimore Comic-Con, a gathering of comic-book dealers and aficionados dedicated to enjoying themselves one panel at a time. Almost 100 dealers will be on hand selling all things comic-related, from vintage books to brand-new costumes and accessories. Scores of artists, writers and other comic-book creators (including such genre heavyweights as Todd McFarlane, Adam Hughes and Marv Wolfman) will be on hand to talk about and demonstrate their craft. And for the more virulent fans, there's even a costume contest set for 1 p.m. Sunday, with a $1,000 grand prize. The con runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Tickets are $15 per day, $28 for a two-day package. Information: 410-526-7410 or comicon.com/baltimore
Maryland Renaissance Festival Squires and their ladies should make haste to Crownsville this weekend for the opening of the 34th annual Maryland Renaissance Festival. Spread over 25 acres, the festival re-creates a 16th-century Tudor village, complete with knights, noblemen, everyday folk and troupes of traveling entertainers. There's lots of food (check out the steak on a stake), plenty of good jousting, 130 period craft shops and pervasive Elizabethan fun. The festival runs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 24 (plus Labor Day, Sept. 6). Tickets are $8-$18. Information: 800-296-7304 or rennfest.com
Old-time baseball Orioles fans might wish they could take a trip back in time to the 1970s, when the O's were a contending team every year. But those who really like their baseball old-style should check out Sunday's Maryland 19th Century Base Ball Championship Tournament in Kingsville. Using the rules and customs of base ball from the mid-19th century, and wearing uniforms untouched by anything polyester, six teams, from Elkton, Glen Burnie, Rockville, Easton, Baltimore and Havre de Grace, will compete for the tourney crown. And wait until you get a load of the old-style bats they use. The competition begins at 10 a.m. at Historic Jerusalem Mill Village, at Jerusalem and Jericho roads in Harford County; the championship game is set for 4 p.m. Admission is free. Information: mavbbl.com
Blondie and Cheap Trick Blondie ("Heart of Glass") started off in the mid-'70s as punk rock's sexiest band, thanks largely to the allure of lead singer Debbie Harry, while Cheap Trick ("I Want You to Want Me") delighted in being power-pop oddballs, powered by the fierce riffing of guitarist Rick Nielsen and the pounding drums of Bun E. Carlos (neither of whom looked remotely like rock stars). Both ended the decade as critical and popular faves, with songs that were among the best power pop of the era, but faded as the '80s wore on. Sunday at Pier 6, these two rock 'n' roll survivors take to the stage in a show that should be as rocking as it is nostalgic. Showtime is 7 p.m. at the Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. Tickets are $30-$85. Information and tickets: piersixpavilion.com
Rock the Bells Hip-hop's greatest traveling show, Rock the Bells, returns with a lineup that seems to include just about every rap and hip-hop act, new or established, to ever perform in front of an audience. With legends Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill and Wu-Tang Clan leading the charge, is it any wonder hip-hop fans have been waiting all summer for these Bells to start tolling? Other performers include A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick, Rakim, KRS-One, Street Sweeper Social Club, Murs & 9th Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Clipse, Immortal Technique, Brother Ali, Jedi Mind Tricks, Supernatural, DJ Muggs and Ill Bill, DJ Rocky Rock…and maybe a few surprises. The party starts at 11 a.m. Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. in Columbia. Tickets are $66-$150.50. Information and tickets: 410-730-2424 or merriweathermusic.com
'The Last Exorcism' Poor Ashley Bell plays the demonically possessed Nell Sweetzer in "The Last Exorcism," a cautionary tale of what happens when veteran exorcist Cotton Marcus ( Patrick Fabian) allows a film crew to record him at work. Opens in theaters Friday.
Chris Kaltenbach