LYNDEN, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – If you think you smell grilled corn, fried food and new-mown hay in the air, your senses are not deceiving you. It’s mid-August in Whatcom County and that means it is time for the Northwest Washington Fair. There’s plenty else to do this weekend in our neck of the woods too. We have it all for you in this week’s Lifestyle Lookout.

The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden runs through Sunday, Aug. 22 with a demolition derby, rodeo, live music, a stock show, exotic animals, a carnival, food, libations and a whole lot more.

Huge acts like Stone Temple Pilots, Maoli, Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Brantley Gilbert and more will grace the Grandstand Stage all week long. The Lynden PRCA Rodeo runs two nights. Plus, attendees can explore the Farm Pavilion, Expo Building and Phillips 66 Center to learn about farming and agriculture in Washington state.

There is so much on the docket this year, so make sure you plan a trip for the whole family.

If you are looking for a good book to read this summer, you are in luck. Village Books in Fairhaven is hosting two author talks this weekend.

First up, Robert Burns will discuss Rebels in the Wild on Friday, Aug. 14. It is a book that tells the story of the rise and fall of an experiment in socialism in the Pacific Northwest. The Equality colony was a failed Skagit County community full of radicals, rabble rousers and agitators. It is a story of PNW locals trying, and failing, to promote the common good.

Then on Saturday, Aug. 15, Calial McCarty will discuss Naturally Divergent, a book exploring neuro-affirming frameworks for differing neuro-types as they navigate a neurotypical society. If you are interested in learning about autism and ADHD, this is the book for you.

Fans of art are in for a real treat in Bellingham this weekend. Paper Whale presents the Noisy Waters Mural Festival. Artists will have three days to create murals on portable walls. Attendees will then vote and three winners will earn contracts to paint larger murals around Bellingham.

The festival also includes workshops and mural tours all centered around Bellingham’s iconic waterfront. Noisy Waters Mural Festival runs Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Our featured live show is an all-ages event at Blue Room in Bellingham on Saturday night.

California-based singer songwriter Sean Hayes is coming to town to perform his gritty blend of folk and soul.

Opening for Hayes is John Courage. For tickets, go to blueroombham.com.