Editor's note: The Brooklyn Fair can claim the distinction of being the oldest continuously active agricultural fair in the United States – and fair organizers have faced storms, hurricanes and world wars over the years. They have announced that the fair will be closed on Sunday, but a full schedule is on for Saturday. Check their Facebook page for hour-to-hour updates due to the impending hurricane. The annual open air market at Long Hill in Middletown on Sunday has been rescheduled for October.

The weigh-in for draft horses at the Brooklyn Fair in Connecticut is Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. with the first pull at 1 p.m.

Look for the Eugene Rainville trophy, donated by Dan and Gail (Rainville) Tarryk, in memory of “Gene” Rainville, an outstanding teamster of Baltic, Connecticut, who for many years participated in the Brooklyn Fair Horse Pull. Any teamster who wins the trophy three years in a row will retire the trophy and a new one in memory of “Gene” will be provided by the Windham County Agricultural Society.

Admission is $10, children (under 12) free.

Squeeze in a little more summer, because – let's face it – families everywhere are getting ready for that first day of school. (Bus stops and college being back in session do ripple out into changed lifestyle patterns for the whole community.)

The last gasp of summer (along with a hurricane) is heading our way. Next weekend, Labor Day is here and the season of freedom is officially over. The daylight hours are shorter as the earth tilts on its axis and take us all along for the ride.

In Middletown, the impressive Long Hill estate is the setting for an open air festival and market, rain or shine. But this year, the approach of Hurricane Irene means the event has been rescheduled to Oct. 23.

The Chester Fair, which started in 1877, is still on for Friday, Aug. 26, Saturday, Aug. 27 in Connecticut.

An opportunity to walk with a knowledgeable guide and “see” life differently is coming up this weekend.

A two-hour walk, “Gathering Mushrooms with Connie Borodenko,” steps off Saturday Aug. 27, 10 a.m. at Goodwin Forest Center. Free, but pre-registration is suggested as the walk is limited to 28 participants.

Borodenko is an active member of the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society, a dedicated group whose members leads walk around the state during the year. Specimens (not to eat) will be collected and identified. Note: A small open basket or collecting container and a trowel are helpful to bring along; samples from your own yard or walks may be brought in. Recent rains have insured a wide variety of mushroom and fungus should be available. For details call (860) 455-9534.

The Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center and the Goodwin State Forest were gifts to the people of Connecticut from James L. Goodwin, one of Connecticut's first professional foresters. Together the Center and Forest include 2,000 acres of forests and habitats, 14 miles of hiking and multi-purpose trails, three large ponds and a nature museum managed jointly by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Inc.