There are those of us that take on the challenge to travel on a long three day weekend. I am not one of those people. I prefer to do local events and keep the road rage to a minimum.

So if you live in New England, here are some ideas to get you outside and enjoying the last few remaining days of what the calendar calls ‘summer’. I would like to challege the calendar as it has not been over 90 degrees for more than 5 days this ‘summer’.

Mass Brewer’s Fest: Join us for the 5th Annual Mass Brewers Fest on Friday, August 29, 2014 from 6:30pm. We will be sampling 100+ different beers from 30+member breweries, including a special collaboration brew! What: Local beer, live music by Three Day Threshold, and a great way to spend one of the last nights of summer! Where: The World Trade Center Head House Concourse – a beautiful indoor/outdoor venue on Boston’s historic waterfront. Cost: $40.00 advance purchase with beer samples included! RAIN or SHINE

Portland Brew Fest: The fourth annual Portland Brew Festival is set for August 29 and 30, and event organizers promise more brewers, additional activities and expanded food options. The 2014 event, which returns to the Portland Company Complex at 58 Fore Street in Portland, will feature more than 40 brewers with more than 120 brew products along with home brewing equipment, a Maine Brewers Guild fundraiser, and more.

Gloucester Schooner Fest: Aug 29-30 The Gloucester Schooner Festival celebrates the impact of the fishing schooner on the history of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Featured are the last remaining great Gloucester schooning vessels competing in the Mayor’s Race for the Esperanto Cup, a trophy from the first International Fishermen’s Race sailed in 1920. See schooner masts fill the harbor’s skyline, a lighted boat parade and fireworks over the harbor.

King Richard’s Faire: Aug 30 – Sept 28, Carver MA.  New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance Festival, opens its 2014 season on August 30th and runs eight consecutive weekends thru October 19th including Labor Day and Columbus Day Mondays. Tucked away on 80 acres of beautiful, enchanted forest off Rt. 58 in Carver, Mass., the Faire is open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. (This place is a blast! I highly recommend going! Don’t forget your Groupon and visit the House of Torture..insert evil laugh here)