On the road: Annual Greek festival

Chicago

Get them to the Greek

Over the last 62 years, the annual Greek Festival at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood has served up tons of homemade shish kebab and geniality. While chickens spin on outdoor grills, visit the Agora marketplace and browse jewelry, toys, bags, scarves, Greek imports and the Myrovlitis Book & Icon store with items in Greek and English. There also will be Greek and American music and entertainment areas and a carnival. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday, Aug. 19-20; 1 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Aug. 21, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 W. Winona St., Chicago. Admission: $2, free for kids under age 12. Call (773) 561-5992 or visit stdemetrios greekfestchicago.com.Air or water sign?Flying in an airplane is fun again #8212; when you're a spectator at the 53rd annual Chicago Air and Water Show. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Air Force Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs will perform heart-pounding stunts along Chicago's lakefront. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to Sunday, Aug. 20-21, at North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. Call (312) 744-3370 or visit chicagoairandwater show.us.MidwestWant fries with that?Over 120,000 hamburger fans can't be wrong when they flock to the National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio, to enjoy family fun, live entertainment and one of the largest assortments of burgers you can shake a ketchup bottle at. There will be children's activities, entertainment, competitions and live music all weekend long. Proceeds benefit Akron Children's Hospital.Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday Aug. 20, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday Aug. 21, at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. Visit hamburger festival.com. Fair playA diaper derby, outhouse races, mullet contest and butter sculptures will be part of the fun at the Iowa State Fair. Entertainment will include Sugarland, Def Leppard, Maroon 5 and Janet Jackson. There will be free performance by Josh Kelly, The Lovin' Spoonful and the Oak Ridge Boys. Fair food ranges from turkey tenderloin and fruit cups to things on a stick ranging from pork chops to hot bologna to fried butter. The parade will features 200 floats, animals, vehicles and performing units. The fair will offer an agricultural extravaganza of animals, cooking, contests, cars, auctions, craft shows and flea markets. Sunday, Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 21 in Des Moines, Iowa. Admission and event times vary. Regular gate admission is $10 for adults, $4 for ages 6-11 and kids 5 and younger are free. Call (515) 262-3111 or visit iowastatefair.com. Venetian festival The 49th annual Lake Geneva Venetian Festival makes a fine last hurrah of summer. The five-day festival offers a carnival, craft fair, musical entertainment, firefighter water fight, water ski show and lighted boat parade followed by a fireworks display over Geneva Lake. 6 p.m. to midnight Wednesday to Friday, Aug. 17-19; and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday Aug. 20-21, at Flat Iron Park and Seminary Park in Lake Geneva, Wis. Visit http://tinyurl.com/3o28z4q. Worth the tripVisit Orlando is offering 45 days to experience the best rates of the year with up to 65 percent off on accommodations and special offers on theme parks, dining, golf and more. Visit Orlando's Magicard, a free and downloadable savings card, offers additional deals on car rental, golf, spa, outdoor activities and more. September is Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month when more than 65 Orlando-area restaurants offer three-course dinners for $30. Monday, Aug. 15, through Friday, Sept. 30. Visit VisitOrlando.com/deals.