Illinois
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Hardin County Fluorspar Festival, Rosiclare. The fest celebrates the once-thriving industry of mining fluorspar (a mineral used in manufacturing many products) with a barbecue; quilt show; an open house at the American Fluorite Museum; a car, truck and motorcycle show; rides on the Shawnee Queen River Taxi and more. Fee for some events; 618-285-3445; tinyurl.com/3wqpsts. Miles from Chicago: 365
Oct. 1: Guided Barn Quilt Tour, Kankakee. This bus tour visits historic barns throughout the county. Fee applies; 800-747-4837; tinyurl.com/3fvtufg. Miles from Chicago: 60
Indiana
Oct. 7-9: Mississinewa 1812, Marion. This is billed as the largest War of 1812 living history event in the country. There will be American and British encampments, battle re-enactments and more. Fee applies; 800-822-1812; mississinewa1812.com. Miles from Chicago: 180
Oct. 8: Kokomo-Con. Comic book fans gather at the Kokomo Event Center for a comics convention that includes comic book notables and lots of vendors. Fee applies; kokomocon.com. Miles from Chicago: 160
Iowa
Oct. 7-9: U.S. Cellular World Food Festival, Des Moines. A variety of cultures will be represented in this culinary sampling. Free; worldfoodfestival.org. Miles from Chicago: 335
Michigan
Oct. 7-8: Fort Fright, Mackinaw City. As darkness settles over the Straits of Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac becomes Fort Fright, with haunted characters filling the historic site with tales of life in the 18th century. Fee varies; 906-847-3328; tinyurl.com/5uqycf2. Miles from Chicago: 410
Oct. 8: Indian Art & Frontier Antiques Show, Ann Arbor. This show offers Native American art from the 18th and 19th centuries, period antiques and Indian fur trade goods. Fee applies; 248-840-7070; tinyurl.com/63okgmw. Miles from Chicago: 245
Missouri
Sept. 29-Oct. 2: St. Louis International Salsa Congress. There are dance workshops and seminars teaching Latin history and culture, salsa, cha-cha and bachata, and later dance performances, live bands and social dancing. Fee varies; 314-651-2908; stlsalsacongress.com. Miles from Chicago: 300
Ohio
Oct. 8-9: Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival, Jefferson. This is the 28th year for this self-guided driving tour of 17 covered bridges, including the Smolen-Gulf Bridge, the longest covered bridge in the nation. Also includes a quilt show, entertainment, antique engines and cars and more. Fee applies; 440-576-3769; coveredbridgefestival.org. Miles from Chicago: 405
Wisconsin
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Oshkosh Oktoberfest. Enjoy traditional German food, German entertainment, a polka Mass and more. Fee varies; 920-233-0543; oshkoshoktoberfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 170
Oct. 6-9: Driftless Film Festival, Mineral Point. Independent films are shown in historic theaters throughout the area. Fee varies; driftlessfilmfestival.org. Miles from Chicago: 180
