The last weekend in May, boy how time flies! Memorial Day weekend is here now and it's the unofficial start of summer. Pools are opening, schools are wrapping up the year, and lots of fun stuff is going on. This weekend my gang is headed to the PA Renaissance Faire grounds to the Great PA Flavorfest. This event runs both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. It's a free event with free parking, can't ask for a better deal. This isn't a traditional wine and food fair, oh no. This is a food and wine fair that exhibits the best Pennsylvania has to offer. Everything there has ties to the great state we live in and the smells say PA knows how to do it up with their food and wine. While there check out my two favorite wineries, The Winery at Wilcox (Try the peach sparkling wine.) and Franklin Hills Vineyard (there is no favorite here, it's all excellent). Now you may be thinking that sounds great for you but what about the kiddies. No worries, they have a great kid area with all sorts of activities that run all day. Most activities are free, like the hex sign plates and the noodle art, but there is one activity that cost $5, the produce print tee shirt. Not a bad deal. There is also bands around the whole area living it up. If you are there on Sunday check out my favorite performer, Steven Courtney and the Suitcase Musicians. He is known far and wide here in PA as a great kid entertainer but I must say his grown up shows are awesome! Over all it's a fun time to be had. Be prepared though, it's a lot of walking. Get out the tennis shoes! Also if you plan on doing the wine tasting don't bring your own glass, the wineries will provide a sample cup at each stand or you may purchase a Flavorfest Glass when you arrive. They do have food to buy as well but it may not be your kids favorites. No hot dogs and chicken nuggets here so bring a lunch for the kids. I did not see any information on their policy of outside food on their website but you can always hike back out to the parking lot for a car picnic if needed. Do bring bottle water and a wet face clothe to keep the kids and yourself cool. There is hardly any shade here and it gets hot. And as always have lots of fun!

What was that? Flavorfest doesn't sound great to you? That's okay there is plenty of other events this weekend. Check it out!

Dutch Wonderland will be opening their water park this weekend, Duke's Lagoon. This is a perfect sized water park for the younger kids but it still has cool stuff for the older kids as well. Check out their website for rules about swimwear and don't forget the sunscreen.

Oregon Dairy is having their 7th Annual Fireman's Festival and Country Cruise this Saturday from 8am to 1pm. There is no cost to check out the car show but there is a $2 fee for a fire truck ride around the area. We did this last year and had a blast on the truck. That is pretty much all there is to do as far as the special event goes but the Oregon Dairy Farm Market (nothing fancy, it’s a family owned grocery market) has a ice cream shop there and a great playground for the kids. Check it out!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents Fully Charged at the Giant Center in Hershey this weekend. It runs until May 30th and ticket prices start at $80 for Circus Celebrity to $16 for the nose bleed section. The circus is always a great time to be had (I'm a little biased since I used to travel with the greatest show on earth) but it does get costly. Even after you buy the tickets you will have to bring the credit cards for some souvenirs. Get to the show early for the preshow. This is where you get to walk the three rings and visit with the performers. A little side tip: Get a program first to have performers sign them and don't forget a sharpie. Most performers will have a pen but some don't. Ask anyone that is with the show for a picture and autograph. They may not look important but they are since everyone helps out with the pre show. I was told they do the animal open house at Hershey now as well. This is where you can go outside the arena and check out the circus animals up close and personal. Don't let PETA tell you anything bad either, these animals are well taken care of by all circus employees. If they weren't well treated why would they do all those tricks? May All Your Days Be Circus Days and have fun.

Cherry Crest Farms in Ronks, PA is officially opening this weekend and will even be open this Memorial Day from 12-5pm. They are celebrating Farm Fun Days this weekend. They have 50 farm fun activities to enjoy but once again take a water bottle to keep cool because there is no shade. From now until June 25th admission is only $9 per person ages 3 and up. Although the maze doesn't open until July there is still plenty to do.

If your in the Harrisburg area ArtsFest is at Riverfront Park on North Front Street. Included with the art festival that is very popular is KidFest 2011 hosted by the Popcorn Hat Players. I am still unsure of everything going on this weekend so it's best to look up details before going.