Golf, fairs and festivals highlight a busy August Calendar

1 Anacortes arts festival. The annual three-day festival brings together more than 250 arts and crafts dealers, 30 food vendors and two stages, with live music. Call (360) 293-6211 for more festival information.

2 Anacortes farmer’s market. Come to the Depot, 7th & R, and choose from the vendors selling the lush bounty of the Skagit Valley. The market opens at 9 a.m.

6 Skagit County Fair. The 108th fair is themed “Rockin’ in 2003” and features a final night tribute to 50s rock. Other musical events include a night of music for seniors, including bluegrass and a Rat Pack retrospective, and a program of salsa music. In addition, there will be a full slate of agriculture events involving both 4H and the Future Farmers of America, llamas, a hypnotism show, and the ever-popular commercial building. Fairgrounds are on Hazel Street, south of downtown Mount Vernon. It runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Aug. 9. For fair information, call (360) 336-9453.

6 Western Washington Shakespeare Festival. The summer theatre event begins its third season in Mount Vernon’s Edgewater Park. This year, they present Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet in repertory. Festival patrons can bring a picnic and have dinner before the plays. For information or tickets, call (360) 336-8955 or (877) 754-6284 or visit their Web site at http://www.wwasf.com/index.html. The season runs through Aug. 24.

7 La Conner pioneer picnic. Find out what it was like to live and eat in olden times. Event takes place at the Pioneer Park beginning at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call the Chamber at (888) 642-9284.

11 Island Hospital golf classic. Join in the annual fundraiser for the Island Hospital Health Foundation. Join fun at Whidbey Golf and County Club. For information, call the hospital foundation at (360) 299-4021.

12 Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce board meeting. All are welcome to attend the monthly chamber board meeting. It begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Orcas Island Fire Station. For more information, call (360) 376-2273.

15 Anacortes Eagle BBQ. Join the Eagles Club downtown for their annual shindig. For more information on the event, call (360) 293-3012.

17 Just for Fun — Poker Run. Starts and stops in front of the Hometown Cafe. Runs through Concrete, Rockport, Darrington, Arlington, Lake Cavanaugh, Big Rock and Clear Lake. Record cards are available to track your progress. Skagit Hospice receives 100 percent of all entry fee funds. For more information, contact J.B. Bryson at jbcbryson@cs.com or (360) 856-5522

20 Burlington Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Join with your fellow Burlington business people to eat and talk about the city’s business. Begins at 11:45 a.m. at the Burlington Chamber Office, 600 East Victoria Avenue. For more information, call the Chamber at (360) 757-0994.

20 Burlington Chamber of Commerce marketing committee. Meeting begins at 1:30 p.m., following the luncheon. For more information, call the Chamber at (360) 757-0994.

22 Hands Across the River golf tournament. Join the Mount Vernon and Burlington Chambers of Commerce for the Annual Golf Spectacular at Avalon Gold Course. The day includes both lunch, sponsored by Skagit River Brewery, and dinner, sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. Golfing begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start and a scramble format. Hole sponsorships are going fast. Register to play as an individual or team and receive 18 holes of golf, range balls, a cart with GPS, lunch, dinner, a beer sampling and a goodie bag. For more information, or to register, call the chamber at (360) 757-0994 or visit the tournament Web site at http://www.encore events.net/golf.html.

23 Skagit Classic Boat rendezvous. Join other cool, classic boat owners for a get-together on the water. For information, call the La Conner Chamber of Commerce at (888) 642-9284.

28 Concrete Chamber of Commerce meeting. Join with other Concrete business people. Meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. at the North Cascade Inn. For more information, e-mail the chamber at ccofc@nwlink.com.