Farm Aid, a non-profit that raises both funds to sustain farming families and awareness of the plight of America's farmers, is based in New England, but the Farm Aid concert, the organization's signature annual event since Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid in 1985, has never been held here in New England. That will change this fall, when the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts, hosts Farm Aid 2008 on September 20 from noon until 11 p.m.

Nelson, Young, Mellencamp and Dave Matthews are confirmed to play, and additional performers will be announced. Tickets are on sale now to supporters who join the FarmYard, Farm Aid’s fan club, for $40. Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 28 via Ticketmaster.

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Visit These New England Farm Attractions

• Hike with Llamas at Pinetum Farm in Massachusetts
• Take Your Camera to New England's Most Photographed Farm
• Meet Your Meat at Alta Vista Bison Farm
• See How Cheese is Made at Cabot Creamery
• Pick Your Own Fruits and Veggies at Connecticut's Pickin' Patch

_{Farm Aid 2008 logo provided to the media by Farm Aid.}

The diversity of summer festivals in New England is nothing short of remarkable. Check my A to Z guide for festivals throughout the summer, including two interesting events coming up this weekend in Maine: the 61st annual Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield featuring a parade, fireworks and mashed potato wrestling (Ayuh!) and the Yarmouth Clam Festival featuring clams, crafts, clams, a carnival, clams, concerts, and, uh... clams!

_{Clam Festival press photo © 2005 Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce.}