serious fans and aspiring practitioners can learn more about everything from publishing to paleontology at Balticon 57, an annual science fiction and fantasy convention (through Monday, online and at several locations in and around Baltimore).

The post Fun stuff: sci-fi gets real first appeared on Federal News Network.

Go north of the Mason and Dixon Line to enjoy a top-tier lineup of the nation’s folk music artists at the semi-annual Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival (today and tomorrow, on the grounds of the Granite Hill Camping Resort).

The post Fun stuff: the grass is bluer at this address first appeared on Federal News Network.

come to Maryland’s Carroll County to see colorful flowers, smell fragrant herbs, eat delicious food and enjoy live big band music, among other genres, at the Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival (in the city’s historic downtown district, today, until 4:00 p.m.).

The post Fun stuff: hues and blues first appeared on Federal News Network.

don’t be sheepish as you spin a yarn or two, literally, at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds (West Friendship, today and tomorrow).

The post Fun stuff: not so wild, but quite woolly first appeared on Federal News Network.

Meet the Easter Bunny as you hunt for Easter eggs at the Green Meadows Petting Farm (Ijamsville, Maryland, today and tomorrow, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.).

The post Fun stuff: I think you’ll see a rabbit first appeared on Federal News Network.

• catch any number of the more than 40 concerts happening at this year’s Berks Jazz Fest (various venues, Reading, Pennsylvania, through April 2).

The post Fun stuff: Reading rhymes and rhythm first appeared on Federal News Network.

• learn about the land and water habitat needs of our slimy and slithery pets during this Reptiles and Amphibians Weekend at the Virginia Living Museum (Newport News, today and tomorrow).

The post Fun stuff: a different kind of surf’n’turf first appeared on Federal News Network.

• Virginia’s Highland County celebrates its mountain forests with an annual Maple Festival, beckoning visitors into the hills west of Staunton to enjoy that magical time of the year when America’s favorite breakfast syrup begins to flow from maple trees (various locations, this weekend and the next).

The post Fun stuff: dancing around the maple first appeared on Federal News Network.

• Maryland’s Home and Garden Show now also bills itself as a craft show yet charges but one admission per person (at the Timonium Fairgrounds, this weekend and the next).

The post Fun stuff: threefer madness first appeared on Federal News Network.

• join in the celebration of the 196th anniversary of the founding of one of America’s great railroads, the Baltimore and Ohio, at the B&O Museum’s Big Birthday Bash. (Baltimore, till 3:00 p.m. today).

The post Fun stuff: train yourself to celebrate first appeared on Federal News Network.

• find unique gifts and great deals from over 80 vendors at the Merchants’ Attic, which advertises itself as Delaware’s “largest indoor garage sale.” (Lewes, till 2:00 p.m. today).

The post Fun stuff: they have everything but a garage band first appeared on Federal News Network.

• find a thoughtful gift for your sweetie that is as unique as your love at the Makers Market
  , at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, in Solomons, Maryland (till 2:00 p.m. today).

The post Fun stuff: handmade ways to show your love first appeared on Federal News Network.

• you don’t have to sacrifice your love of summer to enjoy mid-winter merriment at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania’s Ice Fest, featuring a double-wide ice slide (through Jan. 29 at 4:00 p.m).

The post Fun stuff: cold as ice first appeared on Federal News Network.

• this is the time of the year for restaurant weeks to occur, including in Howard County, Maryland (through Jan. 29).

The post Fun stuff: when a week can be as long as a fortnight first appeared on Federal News Network.

• you can find just about anything – but not exactly everything – at the indoor flea market at the Carroll County Ag Center (today, through 2:00 p.m.).

The post Fun stuff: no, they don’t sell fleas first appeared on Federal News Network.