Let's short-hand this: Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival. Arts. Entertainment. Friday and Saturday. All along Lyme Street in Old Lyme.

And now a little expounding: There is too much going on to list absolutely everything here, but we'll give you some highlights:

The Mighty Soul Drivers play their classic Southern soul from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday outdoors at the Florence Griswold Museum, overlooking the Lieutenant River.

Canines line up for the Parading Paws Dog Show on Saturday at Flo Gris. Registration runs 9 to 10 a.m., with judging at 10:30 in categories ranging from best smile to best trick to best costume.

With "Crafted-by-Hand: The Midsummer Artisan Fair" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for adults, Flo Gris is also the site for the "Hands-On, Minds-On Education Area" for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bestselling author and part-time Old Lyme resident Luanne Rice talks and signs books - her latest is "The Lemon Orchard" - at 11 a.m. at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.

Tony Award-winning animal trainer Bill Berloni will sign his book, "Broadway Tails," and will talk about rescue dogs that ended up starring on stage from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

The Lyme Garden Club exhibits and sells its wares from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Lyme Art Association. Also at the association, the oxen of Cranberry Meadow Farm are on view from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Lyme Academy also hosts vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday "The Plein Air Fence Show Artists" display their works from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the Center School lawn.

- KRISTINA DORSEY

Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival, Friday and Saturday, various locations on Lyme Street, including Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and Lyme Art Association; most Friday events are in evening, and most of Saturday's happen between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; for a complete schedule, visit oldlymemidsummerfestival.com.