What are you doing with your 3-day weekend? Here are a few ideas close to home

The State Fair opens

What many know as the “Puyallup Fair,” because, well, it’s in Puyallup and has been since it long before it was the state fair, opens this weekend for a run that lasts through Sept. 25 (although it will be closed Tuesdays and Sept. 7). This weekend’s hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2; 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, and 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday, which is Labor Day. Admission varies by age and weekdays/weekends, and is discounted if you purchase tickets online in advance — but this weekend is BECU Free Kids Weekend, and everyone 18 and younger gets in free. This year’s event includes 20 nights of concerts, plus animatronic dinosaurs, a miniature livestock show, and an interactive exhibit will take you through the Fair’s more than 120 years. All the information you could want about the food, the farm and the fun can be found at thefair.com. The fair events center is at 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup.

Yee haw

If you can’t wait until next week to see some barrel racing or bull riding at the State Fair, or you just want a smaller production, head to 8710 Higgins Greig Road in Roy Saturday or Sunday for the Roy Pioneer Rodeo. Gates open at noon both days, and the rodeo starts at 1:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets at the gate; adults pay $13, those 60 and older pay $7, kids 6-12 pay $5, and children 5 and under get in free. There is a military discount for active service members. Parking is free on the rodeo grounds. Only service animals are welcome.

If music be the food of love, play on

This weekend is your last chance to catch Animal Fire Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” which you can see for free at the freshly renamed Squaxin Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia. The bard’s “rousing tale of love, music, and madness ... oh ... and copious amounts of booze,” according to Animal Fire, will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the lower loop field of the city park. The play lasts about 2-1/2 hours, so bring what you need to be comfortable.

Summer concerts haven’t wrapped up yet

The Hinges will return to West Central Park, along with Gary Allen May, for a 7 p.m. Saturday performance as the park heads into the final weeks of its summer concert season. Bring your own chairs, picnic blankets and food. The park is at 1919 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia.