NEW ENGLAND

Kick off the summer season at the Killington Stage Race on Memorial Day weekend (May 26 -28). Set against the cool, lush landscape of Vermont’s Green Mountains, the KSR kicks off Saturday at the Killington Skyeship on Route 4, with a circuit race featuring an exciting sprint every lap at the Sunrise Base Area on Route 100. Sunday's stage 2 features an 11-mile individual time trial starting near the Long Trail Brewery. On Monday, the 62-mile "Queen Stage" begins, featuring challenging climbing with the brutal climb up East Mountain Road and finishing at Killington's K-1 Base area. Watching is a must as cyclists ‘Race the Legend’! For more race details, volunteer opportunities or photos from previous years follow our website link above.

Balloon launches, balloon rides, Hometown Parade on Sunday, art fair. Admission is free; parking if $5. Information and schedule: www.balloonfestival.org.

Legacy of the Arts Festival celebrates Bar Harbor's rich history of art, music, Native American culture and much more. Activities include live music, art exhibits and demonstrations, workshops, and historic tours. The week opens with our traditional Father's Day concert at Agamont Park and ends with our Annual Art Show on the Village Green June 23-24.

The largest free folk festival in the nation is happening once again this summer. The Lowell Folk Festival has brought an international array of folk music, ethnic foods, craftspeople and artisans to New England every summer for more than 20 years. Don’t miss the lineup of top-notch performers this year. Time: Friday, 6:45 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon – 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: www.lowellfolkfestival.org.

The annual Maine Swedish Colony Midsommar Celebration takes place in New Sweden, Stockholm, Woodland and Caribou at various venues. Events all weekend long. There is also a Maypole, great Swedish food, dancing and fun for all. Information: visit www.maineswedishcolony.info.

One of the East Coast's most prestigious blues music festivals has a waterfront stage overlooking beautiful Rockland harbor. 2012 performers include Randy Oxford Band, Albert Castiglia, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Cyril Neville, Mike Zito, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton and Mean Willie Green, , Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Tribute to Koko Taylor, With The Blues Machine, Nora Jean Wallace, Melvia “Chick” Rogers and Jackie Scott, Tab Benoit, Charlie A’Court, Anthony Gomes, Ana Popovic, John Mayall, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Mark LaVoie and Dave Keller.Information: 207-596-6055 or visit www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com.

The festival attracts over 40,000 people to experience some of Portland, Maine's greatest offerings such as retail, restaurants, arts, and entertainment. The festival has something for everyone, including 8 music stages, children's participatory programs and entertainment, a parade, outdoor adventure and more. Location: Old Port on the waterfront. Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 207-772-6828 or visit www.portlandmaine.com/event/old-port-festival/

The “Something Different” you’ve been looking for is closer than you might think. Escape to the past with family & friends to experience a romantic age lost to time at the 13th annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Thrill to a full day of continuous entertainment on eight stages including jousting, armored combat, fire eaters, comedy, magic, chivalrous knights, and the best variety entertainment of any New England Festival – all included with your admission! New acts and old favorites return to chase they cares away with smiles and laughter.

Explore New England’s LARGEST Medieval Marketplace featuring handcrafted and unique items you won’t find anywhere else. Dine on turkey legs, bread bowl stews, apple crisp and a variety of other delectable foods and desserts in our food courtyard. Learn about this enchanted period in time and perhaps even a bit about your own heritage. You’ll have so much fun you’ll be looking for reasons to come back again and again! And as always, costumes are encouraged but not required.

Hear sea chanteys from many cultures and learn how they helped coordinate work on ships during this one-of-a-kind sea song event that has been a Mystic Seaport tradition since 1979. The 33rd annual Sea Music Festival features performances at various locations throughout the grounds of this living history maritime museum. Time: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday concerts begin at 7 p.m. Admission: Concerts admissions are $20-$30, depending on age; two-day passes are $56 to $75, depending on age. Information: www.mysticseaport.org.

Enjoy a weekend of wine tastings, food pairings, gala dinners, cooking seminars, and auctions while taking in the beauty of Stowe in summer. Major events are the Kickoff Wine Tasting, June 22, 5-7 p.m.; the Grand Tasting & Silent Auction, June 24, noon to 4 p.m.; the Gala Dinner & Auction, June 23, 6-11 p.m.; and the Demos, Seminars & Tastings, June 23 and June 24. Information and event schedules: visit www.stowewine.com.

Enjoy over 500 beautiful new and antique quilts including the Gerald Roy antique quilt exhibit and the Nancy Halpern Retrospective. Great vendors, wonderful workshops and lectures with nationally renowned teachers, appraisals, free gallery talks and demos await all quilt enthusiasts. Time: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday,9 a.m.-3 p.m. Champagne and Chocolate Preview is June 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m. View contest and special exhibit quilts, congratulate winners, and shop at more than 80 vendor booths while enjoying champagne, ginger ale, and chocolates. Tickets are $12.
Show admission: One-day pass: General, $12 and seniors (age 65+), $10; two-day pass: $21 and seniors, $19; three-day pass: $28 and seniors, $27; children under age 14 admitted free with paying adult. All admissions include free parking. Information: www.vqf.org

Acadia's birding community invites you and your family to celebrate the ecological wonders of the birds of the Gulf of Maine at the Acadia Birding Festival. Explore Mount Desert Island and its birds through numerous events and venues. Greet our warblers on early morning birding walks, visit with puffins and pelagic birds at sea, and observe Peregrine Falcons at an active breeding site in Acadia National Park. Our combination of lectures, walks, and adventures will connect you to Downeast Maine’s many bird species, diverse habitats and local birding experts. Information and schedule of events: http://acadiabirdingfestival.com/