A good time for all at the Big Apple Circus and Nassau Fair this weekend

Circus Fun

Big Apple Circus
The circus ends its extended visit to Long Island, under its famous Big Top tent, at Eisenhower Park this weekend. It’s the last chance to see the playfully elegant Bello Nock, the daredevil clown, the star of the latest production, “Bello is Back!” with his gravity-defying hair, trademark tuxedo, white gloves and spats. Bello delights audiences with thrilling feats of derring-do and stylish sense of whimsy. The show features the “Welcome Back Bello” committee: the lovable star clown Grandma, the spirited Big Apple Circus Band, and winning new ringmaster Kevin Venardos. They are joined by acrobats from Italy, Russian wizards of the trampoline and the flying trapeze, a graceful flight on the aerial silks, fiery steeds and cavorting canines, playful Chinese contortionists, and Picaso Jr., the sensational Spanish juggler.
Thursday and Friday, July 1-2, 12 and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 3, 12 p.m.; Sunday, July 4, 12 and 4 p.m. $12-$52. Eisenhower Park, Stewart Ave./Merrick Ave. or Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow Ave; the Big Top is located in Parking Field 6A. (888) 541-3750 or www.bigapplecircus.org.

Fair Days

Nassau Fair
The long-standing tradition known as the Nassau Coliseum Fair celebrates Independence Day weekend with fun and games – and fireworks – for all ages. Nassau Coliseum’s south parking lots are filled with entertainment, rides, food, and games. Enjoy the many special events, including the Lance Gifford Magic and Illusion Show, an illusion show with audience participation; the Vaudeville Dog and Pony Show, a cute show for kids where trained dogs and ponies are the stars, and the Great American Frontier Show, with an award- winning horse rider performing death defying feats on a galloping horse, along with an Arabian stallion who walks 60 feet on his hind legs, and more. In the spirit of the holiday weekend, there’s a fireworks display on Saturday night.
Friday, July 2, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, 3 p.m.-midnight. Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale. (631) 920-2961 or www.nassaufair.com.

Stepping Back In Time

Early Life On L.I.
Explore a very different Long Island at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve this weekend. Discover the life and times of prehistoric Long Islanders at a lecture program, “The Prehistoric Native American Village: Early Life on L.I.,” led by docent Peter Ramon. The lecture is accompanied by a film, “Early Americans: From Nomadic Hunter to Empire Builders.” The film provides an overview of Native American cultures beginning in the Paleo era and examines ancient hunting and farming techniques and pottery and architectural traditions discovered at significant archaeological sites.
Saturday, July 3, lecture, 1:30 p.m.; film 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. $3, $2 ages 5-12. Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, 50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove. (516) 571-8010.