Illinois
May 13-15: Bishop Hill Quilt Show. Area quilters from this historic Swedish village display their work at the Colony School. Fee applies; 309-927-3851; bishop
hill.com/cal.php. Miles from Chicago: 165
May 13-15: Art on the Square, Belleville. This show is consistently ranked as one of the top art festivals in the country; it was ranked No. 1 by the Art Fair Source Book in 2010. More than 1,000 artists apply each year for one of the 105 spots available. There’s also entertainment, artist demonstrations and a food/wine court. Free; 800-677-9255; arton
thesquare.com. Miles from Chicago: 300
Indiana
May 20-22: Ohio River Valley Folk Festival, Madison. Nationally known folk musicians perform on Madison’s Riverfront. Also storytelling, traditional crafts, food, regional wines and beer. Fee varies; ohiorivervalley
folkfestival.com. Miles from Chicago: 275
May 21-22: Civil War Days, Fishers. Horses charge across the open field and cannons roar as re-enactors from across the Midwest bring the Civil War era to life at Conner Prairie Interactive Historic Park. Special programs will highlight the stories of Indiana regiments that fought in the war. Fee varies; 317-776-6006;
connerprairie.org; Miles from Chicago: 190
Iowa
May 19-21: Orange City Tulip Festival. A celebration of Dutch heritage with traditional Dutch dancing and games, two daily parades, thousands of tulips, Dutch costumes and food. Fees vary; 712-707-4510; octulipfesti
val.com. Miles from Chicago: 495
Michigan
May 14: Ann Arbor Juggling Festival. You don’t have to know how to juggle to attend. This event includes workshops, lessons, prop vendors and open juggling. Fee applies; 248-990-8084; tinyurl
.com/6zfdwuo. Miles from Chicago: 245
May 20-21: World Expo of Beer, Frankenmuth. More than 250 beers from Michigan and around the world are available for sampling. Also music, food and a companion beer school (separate registration). Fee varies; 888-805-1504; worldexpoofbeer.com
/expo. Miles from Chicago: 300
May 20-22: Great Lakes Kite Festival, Grand Haven. Test the latest kites, watch kite ballets, an indoor kite fly and an illuminated kite fly Saturday night. Also, kites and gear at the outdoor store on the Lake Michigan beach at Grand Haven State Park. Free, but admission charge for state park; 800-622-4655; mackite.com/glskc.htm. Miles from Chicago: 175
Missouri
May 21-22: Chinese Culture Days, St. Louis. This annual event at the Missouri Botanical Garden includes a parade, martial arts, Chinese calligraphy, painting and food. Fee varies; 314-577-5100; tiny
url.com/3zc2fwo. Miles from Chicago: 300
Ohio
May 21: 4th Annual Wheels-N-Wings Heritage Festival, Van Wert. Car show; show exhibits; skydiving performances on tap. Fee applies; 419-238-9378; visit
vanwert.org/may.html. Miles from Chicago: 205
Wisconsin
May 14-15: Morel Mushroom Festival, Muscoda. Sample and purchase mushrooms prepared by local vendors at this 29th annual festival. Also contests, a parade, arts and crafts, a flea market and wine tasting. 608-739-3182; musco
da.com/event-morels-2011.
html. Miles from Chicago: 205
May 20-22: Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival, Ashland. Highlights for this year’s festival include field trips, workshops, guest speakers and youth programs. Fees vary; 800-284-9484; birdandnaturefest.com. Miles from Chicago: 430
