50 things to do this summer

Good old-fashioned fair fun

Brockton might have a reputation for being a place where no one wants to go, however this fair gives you plenty of reasons: how about Stock Car Football? Demolition derbies? Comedian/Hypnotists? Lumberjack contests? Throw in fireworks, a circus and amusement rides and you’ve got a serious destination for fun (June 29–July 10; brocktonfair.com). Want more? The Marshfield Fair throws in professional wrestling, truck pulls, a beekeeping demonstration, stilt walkers, puppets and farm animals, and you may never go home again (Aug 19-28; marshfieldfair.org).

Henna Night  

Have a decadent Arabian Night fantasy and pretend to get a real tattoo while smoking something exotic. It’s just like The Hangover movies except that the body art fades off harmlessly and you won’t have to confess to loved ones any lewd drug-addled acts (well, unless you go somewhere else afterwards and marry a hooker). It’s called the Koullshi Lounge at Tangierino Restaurant and you will also find it outfitted with belly dancers, a subterranean cigar humidor, Bedouin Cave and seven flat screen TVs. Sundays at 8pm, 73 Main Street, Charlestown (617-242-6009, tangierino.com)

Wilco Solid Sound at Fest Mass MoCA

If you’ve considered going to Mass MoCA but thought there wouldn’t be enough to see, this festival should put your fears to rest. Members of Wilco have combined their various interests and connections to come up with a stellar lineup: The Levon Helm Band, Thurston Moore, Neil Finn, as well as comedians Eugene Merman and Morgan Murphy. There’s also the cultural attraction of the spacious and beautiful art museum and of the artsy old mill town itself. $125 for the weekend; Friday $65, Sat $78, Sunday $65; June 24-26 (solidsoundfestival.com)

Stroll Memorial Drive on Sunday

Celebrate your right to thumb your nose at frustrated motorists as you blithely cruise down the double yellow on your in-line skates or sprint down the middle of the street pushing the screaming contents of your baby carriage. Every summer, Cambridge poses the question “Why don’t we do it in the road?” and answers by blocking off Memorial Drive to automobile traffic along the Charles River on Sundays, and so abandoning the highway to pedestrians, bikers, lovers and Frisbee enthusiasts. And every summer reams of distraught motorists forget this fact and pull up to the police barriers fuming audibly, which is all part of the fun, unless it’s you. 11am–7pm through November, Memorial Drive, Cambridge.