YARMOUTH CLAM FESTIVAL YARMOUTH, MAINE
Think your toddler has what it takes to win a 50-foot dash? Then enter the Diaper Derby and find out. During the race, parents do all they can to coax crawling toddlers across the finish line. “There’s always one or two that take off for the finish line,’’ said Carolyn Schuster, managing director of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and festival co-organizer. “They go, go, go and they get within 10 inches and they stop. It’s so much fun to watch.’’ Same goes for the Maine State Clam Shucking Contest. The events are all part of the packed, fun-for-all-ages schedule that also includes a parade, road races, and firefighters’ muster competition. And, of course, you can get clams every way imaginable. 162 Main St., 207-846-3984, www.clamfestival.com; July 16-18;check website for daily events, free. VAN OTIS CHOCOLATE FACTORY MANCHESTER, N.H.
For kids who can’t get enough of chocolate-covered treats, tours offer a chance to see factory operations, sample Swiss fudge, and create Van Krispie pops. At the end of the tour, children dip Rice Krispies bars on sticks into chocolate, then decorate the coated pops with candy. “They’re always laughing,’’ said Sara French, business development manager. “Everyone wants their own special candy to make their Van Krispie pop unique.’’ All the action takes place in a factory perfumed by chocolate. Maybe it’s just the aromatherapy parents need as their kids delight in candy-making. Recommended for children 8 and older and groups of 12 to 25 people. 341 Elm St., 603-627-1611 ext. 10 for tours, www.vanotischocolates.com; check website for tour availability, $5 a person includes candy-making and samples.
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY COOKING CLASSSES PROVIDENCE
