Try These Cool Summer Festivals

Don't just sit around in the heat this summer! If you're going to burn up, you might as well have some fun by enjoying the outdoors, food and maybe some live music at a local festival. Check out these summer festivals in the area and add your own favorites in the comments section.

• in Pasadena hosts a variety of concerts throughout the summer, including performances by several Navy bands. Genres range from Top 40 music to Motown to acoustic rock.
• June 17-19: Baltimore Pride Celebration. This is a program run by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore held in Mount Vernon. It's one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country and has been taking place in some form since 1976. Special guests this year include award-winning singer-songwriter Deborah Cox.
• June 20-26: Silver Docs. This film festival, hosted by the American Film Institute, focuses on documentaries. Films on a variety of topics from electric cars to terrorism will be screened.
• Aug. 20: Chesapeake Pride Festival. This pride festival in Edgewater includes a car show, live music and other events.
• Aug. 26 through Sept. 5: Maryland State Fair. This popular state fair includes special guest musicians Selena Gomez, Blake Shelton and All Time Low.
• Aug. 27, 28, September 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23: Maryland Renaissance Festival. Who hasn't heard of the Maryland Ren Fest? Thousands of people visit every year. There is food, music, shows and all sorts of other activities available.
• Sept. 16: Anne Arundel County Fair. A number of country-themed events, such as tractor pulls and crafting, take place at this fair each year. The fair also hosts a number of other attractions, including a performance by country music artist Rodney Atkins.