Midwest travel: Experience hip music, art at Wicker Park Fest
Chicago
Highway to hipsville
If you've yet to explore the continually hip neighborhood of Wicker Park, consider doing so during the 12th annual Wicker Park Fest, featuring some of the best in current and emerging music on three stages. Plus, there are eclectic art installations and an area just for the youngest hipsters. Nosh on food from some of the area's venerated restaurants while taking in American funk/soul/R&B of Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Veruca Salt, White Fence and many others.
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, on Milwaukee Avenue, from North Avenue to Paulina Street, Chicago. Admission: $5 donation. (773) 384-2672 or wickerparkfest.com.
Say what?
Remember those old school pursuits of reading and speaking face to face with another human? Revel in them during the Newberry Library's annual Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates. Find tons of inexpensive used books - more than 120,000 donated books will be sorted into 70 categories, from antiques to zoology. In addition, there will be 45-rpm recordings; collectible currency; and modern Russian literature in Russian. Admission is free and many books are priced at $2. Then, see the First Amendment in action when orators and debaters get up on their soapboxes and tell us what's on their mind. Feel free to orate or throw in your two cents. There will be cool refreshments, too.
Book Fair: Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 23-24, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, at 60 W. Walton St., Chicago. Bughouse Square Debates: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25, in Washington Square Park, 901 N. Clark St., Chicago. (312) 943-9090 or newberry.org.
Some like it hot
There are garlic festivals, celebrations dedicated to ribs and bacon and more than a few testicle festivals around the country. Chicago Hot Sauce Fest adds to the list of specific food festivals as hot sauce representatives from around the country hawk the hot stuff. Brave souls can numb their tongues during a contest of Carolina Reaper eating - it's officially the world's hottest pepper. Expect live entertainment, spicy and mild food and lots of drinks to cool those scorched pipes.
Noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Belmont and Elston avenues, Chicago. Entry is a $5 suggested donation. ChicagoHotSauceFest.com.
Midwest
Ship shape
Take the short drive to Racine, Wisconsin, to see replicas of Columbus' ships - the "Pinta" and the "Nina." The "Nina" is the most historically correct Columbus replica (according to Archaeology Magazine) and was built entirely by hand. The "Pinta" is a larger version of the classic caravel, which was an extremely maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century in Portugal. While in port, you can visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 24, through Monday, Aug. 3, at the Rooney Pugh Recreational Area in Racine, Wisconsin. thenina.com.
Dumpling days
Give grandma and her stew pot a rest and take her to Pierogi Fest, a celebration of the yummy Eastern European dumpling and the hardworking ancestors who rolled out the handmade dough. Get ready to meet Mr. Pierogi and enjoy nonstop entertainment from polka bands and international dancers, plus watch clown antics and magic shows. Join in the Polka Dance Off, hosted by Polkahontas; the Halupki contest; the pierogi toss and pierogi-eating contest; and watch the Mr. Pierogi Songfest. A beer garden and other various food vendors will help you refuel for a round of "Who Stole the Kishka." A 25-minute drive from downtown Chicago, Whiting, Indiana, offers a number of budget-priced hotels, too.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday July 24-25, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at 119th Street at Indianapolis Boulevard in Whiting, Indiana. (219) 659-0292 or pierogifest.net.
Hot schnitzel, cold beer
German Fest Milwaukee celebrates its 35th anniversary, and it's still considered the largest authentic German ethnic festival outside of Germany. Of course there will be oodles of oompah music and traditional food like Spanferkel, Bienenstich, potato pancakes and beer. Meet Veronika Hummel and have your Hummel figurine personally autographed. Plus, see the Milwaukee Air & Water Show's world-class performers demonstrate an exclusive Twilight Air Show. Expect fireworks Friday and Saturday nights; activity at the Culture Pavilion includes European train Enthusiasts, German-language games, Sheepshead, craftsmen and genealogists; and don't miss the 10th annual Dachshund Derby.
3 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 24; noon to midnight Saturday, July 25; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at the Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Friday is Fan Appreciation Day, with $3 admission. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $7-$15. germanfest.com.