On the road: Let Brat Days begin
Midwest
How bratty
Sheboygan, Wis., on the shores of Lake Michigan, is wienie heaven during Brat Days. Expect wall-to-wall free musical performances, a carnival and all kinds of beer to wash down brats and tons of other specialty items available in the Bratxotic Food tent. Festival goers can watch or enter the Brat Eating Contest. There are also lots of handmade crafts and bargain shopping.
4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, and 4 to midnight, Friday to Saturday, Aug. 3-4, at Kiwanis Park, Kiwanis Park Drive and North 17th Street, Sheboygan. Admission is free. Tickets for food and beverages are 10 for $5. Visit brat-days.com.
Sail on
Attend the 88th Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich., for nightly entertainment on the waterfront, a downtown carnival and fireworks. Visitors can enjoy See Sunshine Stitches along the Lakeshore with more than 150 member quilts, a guild boutique and demonstrations, Circus Amongus with unicycling, juggling and magic, a car show, and kids activities and entertainment. Watch the fleet sail into the port of Grand Haven and tour several ships and watch the water thrill show. There also will be the Coast Guard Festival Bike Tour along the west Michigan lakeshore.
Event times vary from Sunday, July 29, to Sunday, Aug. 5, at 113 N. 2nd St., Grand Haven, Mich. Many events are free, but some concerts require tickets, which cost $5-$20. Call (616) 846-5940 or coastguardfest.org.
Chicago
A winner at Wrigley
There hasn't been much to celebrate within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field for more than 100 years, but outside the stadium things just keep hopping along. The 10th annual Wrigleyville Summerfest serves up tasty food and beverages from local eateries, music courtesy of Chicago bands and a Kids Zone with interactive games and family-friendly activities. Enjoy the live tunes of Mike & Joe, Dot Dot Dot, Trippin' Billies and Mr. Blotto. Come by on Sunday to worship in the middle of Seminary Street and listen to a live choir that will perform during a free gospel brunch.
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at 3300 N. Seminary St., Chicago. Admission is $5. Call (773) 665-4682 or wrigleyvillesummerfest.com.
Jazz pizazz
Jazz fans will be in their element Thursdays in August for the Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz series in Millennium Park. All concerts begin with a short set by young, aspiring musicians from Chicago-area high schools as part of the Jazz Institute of Chicago's Jazz Links Student Ensembles. Joining the lineup will be international pros such as global jazz impresario, Makaya McCraven, and bassist/composer Matt Ulery, who plays everything from film-inspired orchestral compositions to small group jazz.
6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 2-30, in Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago. Free. explorechicago.org.
Land of Hotel Lincoln
Recently named Best New Hotel by Chicago Magazine, Hotel Lincoln offers a popular, seasonal package to enjoy the Lincoln Park neighborhood action. The Bed to Beach Package comes with overnight accommodations, two beach towels, bottles of water, snacks and sunscreen. The hotel also just introduced new bikes with helmets that are complimentary for guest use.
The package is available through Sept. 3 at 1816 N. Clark St., Chicago. The rate is $184 per night with a two-night minimum stay. Call (855) 514-8112 or hotellincolnchicago.com.
Worth the trip
There's more to Denmark than Danish if you attend the Copenhagen Cooking Food Festival, which is northern Europe's biggest food festival. The 10-day extravaganza boasts over 125 gastronomic experiences, including oyster cruises, chocolate lunches and dinner at Copenhagen City Hall. During the festival, Copenhagen's finest restaurants offer menus at discount prices.
Aug. 24 to Sept. 2. Visit copenhagencooking.com.