The dog days of summer are upon us. The heat and humidity are oppressive. Stay indoors? No, get out there and have some fun.

This weekend kicks off the merriment with July Fourth celebrations. Along with parades and fireworks come politicians, incumbent elected officials and their challengers. Don't be put off and see this as an intrusion on your family outing; instead, take advantage of face-to-face meetings with your choices for the September primary or November general elections. You'll see them in a relaxed atmosphere, and they'll be handing out goodies.

Who couldn't use a new pen, pencil, emery board, key ring or ruler? Don't those balloons, pinwheels, paper hand fans and yo-yos add to your enjoyment of the event? How about fortune cookies, magnets and potato chip clips? Can't wait to see what new gimmicks are offered.

For this weekend, no doubt, the traditional flag pins will be a big item. As we commemorate the day that Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, it is only fitting that politics be a part of the festivities.

So head to Frederick for its Independence Day Celebration, where not only will you have music, a volleyball tournament and a kids' zone to choose from, but there is a chili cook-off, a Starvin Marvin Pizza eating contest, and on Saturday there's the Great Frederick Float boat parade on Carroll Creek.

Or, how about Kent County's Waterman's Day at the Rock Hall Bulk Head, where there are contests for the most patriotic boat, the longest anchor toss and best work boat docking.

Baltimore city hosts perhaps the grandest celebration with its Ports America Chesapeake event at the Inner Harbor, featuring live entertainment, including the Naval Academy's Electric Brigade band. What sounds the most playful, though, is Bel Air's America the Beautiful Celebration at the new high school, with a blueberry pancake breakfast and a watermelon-eating contest. They offer a frog-jumping contest, horseshoe pitching, hamster races and a turtle derby. Now this is what it's all about, folks.

As the summer moves along, try the Caribbean Carnival Festival on July 9-12, with authentic island cuisine, at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore city and a costume parade the last day. Or, how about this: the National Lawn Mower Race, with "racers from across the country" in St. Mary's County at the Bowles Farm on July 9-10? Most communities across the state have weekly outdoor concerts nearby where you can relax on your blanket and enjoy. Ocean City is renowned for its Sundaes in the Park and Wednesdays' Boogie on the Beach affairs. Sure, while you're waiting for the entertainment to start, candidates come by wanting to shake your hand and passing out their literature. There is a teachable moment for children, here, and I hope it is a positive one tied to the history of our democracy in America.

All 23 counties in Maryland have a county fair each year (including a combined Caroline and Dorchester fair), with 10 in July, seven in August and five in September. Visit www.gazette.net/links for details. These are fun, fun, fun. Not only are there cows, goats, chickens, bunny rabbits and llamas, but so much good food, too. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, cakes and pies, and all that sinful junk food we love.

But you also have to go to the baking contests, the animal judging, the greased pig race, the duck run, the tractor pull and demolition derby. And stop by the political party tents, if they are there, and register to vote, sign a petition, pick up literature on the elections and meet the candidates in person. For most of these fairs, the people must come to the politicians, not the other way around, a savvy way to handle the situation. Remember, though, if you want one of those balloons or pinwheels or whatever, that's where you have to go.

The biggest must-attend event of the summer for every statewide candidate for elected office is the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield on Wednesday, July 21, 12:30-4 p.m. As the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce notes, "listed in Frommer's travel guides and other national event directories it is described as ... ‘an outdoor all-you-can-eat affair featuring crabs, clams, fish, corn on the cob, and watermelon, and in election years, lots of politicians.'" It is a mob scene and you have to buy your tickets ahead of time. All you can eat and drink for $40 in hot, hot, hot, rugged surroundings at the Somers Cove Marina. The public and groups sit under tents at picnic tables.

Valerie Howard, executive director of the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, tells us that 55 tents have been sold to politicos, businesses, lobbyists and advocacy organizations. You wait in lines for every bit of the food you want. But it is really good food. This is where the candidates schmooze, glad-hand, joke, talk serious talk and size up each others' attendance numbers based on how many people show up in the candidates' T-shirts or wearing their stickers. Rather than the light, easygoing atmosphere of most summer happenings, this event is serious business in the political realm. However, it is still one heck of a good time for us regular folk.

That's it. Enjoy the summer and have a ball, y'all.

Gail Ewing of Potomac is a retired at-large Montgomery County Council member. Her e-mail address is gewing73@comcast.net.