August is here — a time for kids to enjoy a few more weeks of summer before they must return to the classroom.

It’s also a time to have some fun at the Howard County Fair, which starts Saturday and runs through Saturday, Aug. 10.

The 78th annual Howard County Fair celebrates agriculture and its impact on the county. Community members can learn more about where their meat, milk and wool come from, as well as showcase their green thumbs in farm crop competitions.

There are also midway rides, fair food and magic shows.

Tim Feaga, president of the Howard County Fair Association, said the fair’s mission is to promote agriculture and educate the public, but also to show people a good time.

“It’s really, truly one of the best times,” for kids who said goodbye to their school friends in June to reconnect, Feaga said. “There’s a lot of people who say this is the one time of year they see their neighbors.”

Each day will feature different events, including pig racing, a sheepdog herding performance, a live honey bee colony tour and a lawn mower contest. A different band will close out each day with a 7:30 p.m. performance.

The animal showcases and competitions are for adults and students who are in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, both agricultural education programs.

“The greatest treat is the kids,” Feaga said. “When you see the kids who put in months and months and months of preparation to raise their animal, and the reward of them showing their animal through the show ring is terrific.”

There are three pig races each day, pony rides from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and a daily equine exhibit from 2 to 7 p.m.

Opening day on Saturday is Armed Forces Day. There is free entry with a valid military ID, which extends to spouses and children under 18.

The fair’s hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Amusement rides are open from noon until 11 p.m. on the weekend and 2 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Here are some other goings-on for the week ending Thursday, Aug. 7:

Sugar high

6:30 p.m. Friday

Beat the heat with milkshakes and cookies at a Maryland-themed cookie decorating class at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Old Ellicott City. The event is being offered in partnership with Live and Love Cakes. There will be supplies for decorating five Maryland-inspired cookies with instruction from an experienced cookie decorator.

Class participants will also get one Crazy Mason Milkshake.

Tickets are $60.54, and the sale ends before the event on Friday.

Free outdoor yoga

9-10 a.m. Saturday

Start the weekend feeling refreshed at a free outdoor yoga session on the lawn at the Village Center in Columbia. High school teacher and yoga instructor Neha Singhal will lead the class.

Register for free to secure a spot in the class, and child care is available for $5.

The class will move inside in case of inclement weather or extreme heat.

Goat yoga

2-3 p.m. Saturday

Can’t get enough yoga this weekend? You’re in luck.

Head to Reckless Shepherd Brewery in Columbia to twist into yoga poses alongside baby goats. The class is open to participants of all levels.

Tickets are $30 plus fees, and complimentary drinks are provided after class. Event organizers ask that participants arrive 15 minutes before class starts and to bring a towel or mat.

Hootie & The Blowfish at Merriweather

5:30 p.m. Saturday

Take a trip back to ’90s with blues, soul and rock band Hootie & The Blowfish at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Sing along to classics such as “Hold My Hand” and “Let Her Cry,” with Darius Rucker, now a popular country singer, on lead vocals; Mark Bryan on guitar; Dean Felber on bass; and Jim “Soni” Sonefeld on drums.

Members of the band met in the 1980s at the University of South Carolina and built their presence playing at frat parties and local bars. They’ve since sold 25 million records.

Single tickets are available from $51 up to $436.30.

Sip and paint at Belle Patri

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday

Bring your favorite drink and get creative at Belle Patri, a furniture and home decor store in Columbia. Instructors will guide guests as they paint wine glasses during an art-filled afternoon.

Store purchases will be 10% off.

Tickets are $23.18, and the sale ends before class time.

National Night Out

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday

Leave behind the stress of the workday and head to Clarksville Commons for National Night Out. Clarksville Commons partnered with the Howard County Police Department for a free evening with the local band Out of Order playing all evening, with kid-friendly activities, games and giveaways.

There also will be police and fire department displays and food vendors, including Mission BBQ and Manow Thai.

No registration is required for the free evening.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the end date of the Howard County Fair. The fair runs through Saturday, Aug. 10.