We are in the belly of summer and it is a fine place to be. Gardens starting to burst with ripe tomatoes, green beans, corn, dill, basil, squash, zucchini. Fire up the grill, have a campfire out back, make some s'mores while the fireflies flicker and dance. Take in a country fair, enjoy an ice cream cone, sit awhile to soak up a summer evening and simple pleasures. Take a cruise by the shoreline, inhale the aromas of salt and sea and hot tar. Better yet, go for a swim and let the waves rock you – a sensation that lingers way past exiting the water.

Beach rose TW/MDP

Just look at the smile on the young child's face in the middle of this draft horse driving competition photo (below) from last year's Goshen Agricultural Fair. Priceless. Two capable women hold the reins and direct the team of horses around the ring. All hail from Maple Hill Farm, West Cornwall, Connecticut.

Now, you'll have to wait until Aug. 30, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 to see the draft horses hitch up and compete (plus all the other ag exhibits and shows in Goshen), but meantime the New London 4-H Exposition is ongoing through Sunday, July 27 at the North Stonington fairgrounds. A smaller fair, yes, but with a full roster of exhibits and livestock, competitions, fun contests, ice cream sundaes in the pavilion, hay toss contest, sheep show – horse, pony ox pulls – much more. Draft horse show on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. The dog show is on Sunday, with entries accepted at 8 a.m.; judging at 9 a.m. The image below is from a previous year's competition and is connected to the site to learn more about the rules and how to get in the contest.

Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, keeps going strong until Aug. 3, Mount Snow Valley, Vermont. Blueberry or blue-themed events – no kidding – include a Big Blue Parade, a Blue Street Fair, a blue car auto show, blueberry bake sales, blue beer, pick your own blueberries. Everything you need to know to go – linked here. One day in this community effort for family fun: Sunday, July 27, Doggie Palooza, 9 a.m. to noon, canine dancing (yes, you read that right), agility, blessing of the dogs, dog show, nose work, vendors. Farm.o.l.o.g.y at 11 a.m. means learn how to plant blueberry bushes to later cultivate (maybe) a patch of your own. Hike to the top of Haystack Mountain with “Mr. Haystack” Jake White, 9:30 a.m. to noon. And lots more free family fun. For information contact the chamber of commerce at (802) 466-8092. This sure sounds like fun; wear blue.

Love to watch teamwork in action? Plan ahead to go to the Draft Animal Power annual gathering, Sept. 26 through Sept. 28, at the Cummington Fairgrounds in Cummington, Mass. Note: Top photo is linked to site for all the how-to-get-theres.

Festival on the Green, Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Colchester Town Green. Arts and crafts show, fife and drum muster, concert by the Colchester Regional Chamber Orchestra and a food court. Here is the link for more details.

Mill of the Month tour with Windham Textile & History Museum, Saturday, July 26. Fee is $8; seniors, students, members, $6. Rain or shine. Highlights include buildings, water- and steam-powered factories, textile and other products, mill re-use and preservation issues. Call (860) 456-2178 for more information. Description includes “South Coventry Village, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is significant for its well-preserved houses and early industrial landscape. The Coventry Mill Trail includes sites of a surprising number of 19th century industries that produced a variety of goods.”