No horsing around

USA vs. Egypt polo match USA vs. Egypt (above) is the highlight of the Newport, R.I., polo season. The ponies take the field on Saturday at 5 p.m. , and a lobster bake will be served field-side following the event. Feeling dandy? The International Polo Ball at Rosecliff on Friday benefits the Newport Polo Education Foundation. See website for complete schedule and pricing. Glen Farm, 715 East Main Road, Portsmouth, R.I.; 68 miles from Boston. 401-846-0200. glenfarm.com

61st annual Maine Lobster Festival The folks in Rockland dish out such consistently delicious lobster-themed fun every year. The crate race is back (you run over a line of lobster pots lined up across the bay), as is the main stage with the Lou Gramm Band on Thursday (oh, there will be Foreigner hits sung), country songwriters Suzy Bogguss and Jamie O'Neal on Friday, and a "Remember When" concert on Saturday filled with oldies but goodies such as Little Anthony and the Imperials ("Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop"). See website for complete schedule. $7-$10. Harbor Park, One Harbor Park, Rockland, Maine; 181 miles from Boston. 800-562-2529. mainelobsterfestival.com

Live viewing of solar eclipse in China The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium offers a free, live viewing of the full solar eclipse in China. It starts early, at 6 a.m. Clearly the sun doesn't care about your beauty sleep, but seeing a full eclipse on the big screen is an even trade. Plus, the planetarium is serving Chinese tea and pastries. 6-8:30 a.m. Free. The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, 2 Institute Drive, Concord, N.H.; 68 miles from Boston. 603-271-7827. starhop.com

Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival Dragon-boating is kind of like canoeing . . . except it takes 20 paddlers to handle the dragon boat's 40-foot length and don't forget the decorative dragon head and tail and the drummer at the front who creates the beat that sets the rhythm of the strokes! The third annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival this weekend supports Dragonheart Vermont (the breast cancer survivors hosting the annual race) and the Cancer Patient Support Program's Emergency Fund. Starting ungodly early (7:30 a.m.), five to six boats will launch onto a 250-meter spring every 12 minutes until the champion is determined at 4:30 p.m. Watching the races is just part of the fun - there will be food vendors, entertainment, and a silent auction, too. 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Donations gladly accepted. Waterfront Park, Burlington, Vt.; 217 miles from Boston. 802-434-4423. ridethedragon .org.

The Capitol Steps If you're wondering what a Capitol Steps show will be like, take a look at the lyrics that open their song "Hillary Survive" (sung to the tune of "I Will Survive"): "At first I was ahead/ I was satisfied. Kept thinking you could never win/ you're too unqualified . . ." The group was founded by Senate staffers to satirize the people around them now singers come from all walks, but they still hold 62 years of House and Senate staff experience among them. Catch them at the Great Waters Music Festival on Saturday to see for yourself why they claim they put the mock in democracy. 8 p.m. $27-$71. Great Waters Music Festival, North Main Street, Wolfeboro, N.H.; 102 miles from Boston. 603-569-7710. greatwaters.org

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