Illinois
Sept. 8-10: Ellnora: The Guitar Festival, Urbana. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois is the site for this biennial celebration of the guitar. Among this year’s performers are Taj Mahal, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Luther Dickinson. Fees vary; 217-333-6700; ellnoraguitarfestival.com. Miles from Chicago: 145
Sept. 16-18: 117th Big Rock Plowing Match. This Welsh competition was begun here by two farmers in the late 1800s. There will be antique steel and rubber plow matches, plus a Western & English Horse Show. A variety of other contests too. Free; 630-556-3171; bigrockplowingmatch.com. Miles from Chicago: 50
Indiana
Sept. 16-18: Wizard of Oz Festival, Chesterton. There’ll be Munchkins on hand along with others with ties to the classic movie. Also a parade, contests and other activities. Free; 219-926-6283; ozfestivalchesterton.com. Miles from Chicago: 50
Sept. 17-18: Koh-Koh-Mah & David Foster Living History Encampment, Kokomo. Re-enactors from the era of the French and Indian War set up camp, stage battles and put on demonstrations. Fee varies; kohkohmah.com. Miles from Chicago: 160
Iowa
Sept. 17: WQPT Brew Ha Ha, Davenport. Beer and cheese tasting in LeClaire Park on the Mississippi River. Sample ales, lagers, porters and pilseners from a variety of brewers. Live entertainment too. Fee varies; 877-413-2424; wqpt.org/brew. Miles from Chicago: 175
Michigan
Sept. 9-11: Michigan Schooner Festival, Traverse City. Tour a variety of beautiful sailing vessels, or take to the water on one. Food and entertainment too. Fees vary; 231-946-2647; michiganschoonerfestival.org. Miles from Chicago: 320
Minnesota
Sept. 15-18: Unplugged X: The Northern Harvest featuring National Public Radio’s “Mountain Stage,” Grand Marais. The NPR program “Mountain Stage” is making its first trip to the Midwest in this annual gathering, which includes live music performances by internationally known acts. Fees vary; 888-387-9762; northhouse.org. Miles from Chicago: 575
Ohio
Sept. 16-18: IngenuityFest 2011, Cleveland. Billed as one of the country’s largest art and technology festivals, the event on the lower level of the Veterans Memorial (Detroit-Superior) Bridge has a large lineup of artists, dancers and bands. Free; 216-589-9444; ingenuitycleveland.com. Miles from Chicago: 345
Wisconsin
Sept. 16-17: Great Lakes Brew Fest, Racine. Sample more than 250 craft beers and sodas from a large number of breweries. Also live music, including performances by the Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, which gets the proceeds from the fest. Fee varies; 800-272-2463; greatlakesbrewfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 75
Sept. 17-18: Wine & Harvest Festival, Cedarburg. Sample wine from the Cedar Creek Winery, along with steamed corn, caramel apples, kettle corn, apple cider, homemade ice cream, turkey legs and brats. Also live music, an art fair and lots more. Free; 888-894-4001; cedarburgfestivals.org. Miles from Chicago: 110
