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Midwest travel: Fest celebrates Good Food in Chicago

Chicago

Mmm … mmm … good

There are foodies, and then there are those who find local and sustainable aspects of food just as essential as taste and presentation. The 11th annual Good Food Festival & Conference is for food lovers from around the country who can attend panel discussions, cooking demos, workshops and Localicious, a premier food and drink tasting event. Presented by FamilyFarmed, the event brings together farmers, chefs, food entrepreneurs and policymakers for the longest-running sustainable and local food trade show in the nation. Don't miss Saturday's Good Food Festival, a family-friendly day of speakers, tastings, DIY workshops, chef demos, an interactive Kids' Corner and more. Thursday to Saturday, March 19 to 21, at UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. All events are ticketed and are available in advance or at door. To purchase and see a schedule, visit goodfoodfestivals.com.

Springy thingy

It's time for a Spring Awakening at Mars Gallery. The event will feature wellness product and services vendors and practitioners, workshops, discussion panels and meditation, ballet stretch and movement instruction. Panelists include nutritionists, life coaches, energy workers and vegan advocates. Mini services include acupuncture, massage, facials, manicures and intuitive readings. You'll get your own BeHealthful Box filled with food and beverage to snack on for the day, as well as exclusive deals and products. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Mars Gallery, 1139 W. Fulton Market, Chicago. General admission is $60. Purchase at eventbrite.com.

Alive and kicking

Swissôtel Chicago hosts an interactive Vitality Day that includes a Vitality Challenge where teams visit stops around the city to complete different tasks. You might have to do yoga in front of The Bean or complete a puzzle in the Chicago Cultural Center. Stations will also contain different charity bonus features, which benefit SOS Children's Villages Illinois. The day concludes at Swissôtel Chicago, where a specialty suite becomes a Vitality Lounge offering Vitality cocktails, bites, hands-on healthy cooking and fitness demonstrations, drawings for prizes and more. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Swissôtel Chicago, 323 East Upper Wacker Drive. Registration is free at swissotel.com/vitality-day

Midwest

Time for me to fly

The National Eagle Center holds live-bird programs, field trips and nature presentations throughout each day of Soar with the Eagles, a celebration honoring the spring migration. Visit the eagle education ambassadors of the National Eagle Center and witness special weekend events, such as live bird of prey education programs, area naturalist talks, nature photographers' and authors' presentations, programs geared toward kids, and more. Saturday to Sunday, March 21-22 and 28-29, at the National Eagle Center, 50 Pembroke Ave., Wabasha, Minnesota (60 minutes west of Eau Claire, Wisconsin). (877) 332-4537 or nationaleaglecenter.org.

How Blu can you get

Radisson Blu Mall of America is turning two, but there's nothing terrible about it #8212; quite the contrary. The Minneapolis hotel invites travelers to enjoy specials during March at the only hotel connected to Mall of America. Book the Family Fun with Marty the Moose package and get up to four free breakfasts; four tickets to SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, or two unlimited-ride wristbands to Nickelodeon Universe; a $10 per person SkyDeck game card; and children's tents that they get to keep. There are dining and spa specials during March, too. Through March 31 at Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. radissonblu.com/hotel-mall-of-america

Heidel hops

Adults may find the craft beer weekend coming up at Heidel House Resort Spa an appealing winter weekend getaway. The third annual Brew Fest is a Wisconsin beer experience that offers a Homebrew How-To workshop and beer spa services. Brew Fest attendees receive a souvenir tasting glass, appetizers, live entertainment and unlimited sampling from 100 different Wisconsin microbrews. In addition, Vines Rushes Winery will offer tastings of its local wines from Wisconsin-grown grapes. Friday to Saturday, March 27-28, at Heidel House Resort Spa, Green Lake, Wisconsin. Brew Fest is $35 per person; Homebrew How-To event is $20 per person; spa service prices vary. Get advance tickets by calling (800) 444-2812. For room reservations, visit heidelhouse.com.

Radisson Blu Mall of America offers specials during March to celebrate its two-year anniversary.
Sip it up at Brew Fest at Green Lake's Heidel House Resort & Spa, March 27-28.
Soar with the Eagles is an annual event held at the National Eagle Center in Minnesota, March 21-22 and 28-29.
Swissôtel Chicago hosts an interactive Vitality Day, March 21.
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