Midwest travel: Monthly ACTIVATE pop-ups return to Chicago
Chicago
Get this arty started
Kids who grow up in the city of Chicago are familiar with playing in the alley, so as adults they might like to attend the first monthly ACTIVATE event of the year titled TOUCH. Taking place in the 8th Street alley, expect to encounter an adult ball pit filled with 100 large gold inflatables; a Braille art installation; free massages courtesy of Bliss Spa; cuddles from professional cuddlists; a DJ; and a live performance by artist Claire Ashley. This year's series (check the website for upcoming dates) of pop-up urban experiences explores the five senses - touch, sight, taste, smell and sound - through dynamic art, music and lights. RSVP in advance on the website to get a complimentary drink ticket for beer or wine at the event, with additional beverages available for purchase. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 13, at 205 E. 8th St., between State Street and Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Get details at loopchicago.com/activate/dates or call (312) 782-9160.
Zoom zoom
It's a kids' zest fest at Zoom Room, a play-filled physics laboratory for kids at the Chicago Children's Museum that lets them send toy cars hurtling through curves, loops, dips and crash sites of a colossal, multilevel racecourse. Adults will love this, too. There are track courses designed to encourage exploring many aspects of physical science and physics challenges, such as timing cars to crash into each other in huge bi-level crash sites or knocking cars off the track. Opens Saturday, May 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Admission is $13-$14. chicagochildrensmuseum.org/ or (312) 527-1000.
Show of hands
If you think the best trinkets and gifts are not machine-made but crafted by hand, get to Handmade Chicago in the West Loop. It's a browser's paradise filled with handmade items like jewelry, art, soaps and lotions, candles and more. The festival showcases live music by Cirrus Falcon and food from Fresh and Fruity Concessions, Home Bakery and Festivals, Dumpling House, The NutMan Co. and Tiki 2 Nite. Bring the kids to dabble in the youth art tent to create clay works of art. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago. Admission and parking are free. amdurproductions.com/handmade-chicago-art/.
Midwest
Oye Como Va
Celebrate cultures from many different Latin American countries including Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay at the Cinco de Mayo fiesta in Darlington, Wisconsin. The festival grounds are right by the river on Main Street where food vendors will be hard at work whipping up authentic Latin and American cuisine. Kids can enjoy inflatables, rides, face painting, piñatas, and watching soccer and basketball tournaments; adults can learn how to salsa dance to mariachi music, get tips on making salsa and more. Noon to 1 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in Darlington, Wisconsin. (608) 776-3067 or cincodemayowi.org/.
Mushroom fun
May is about tulips, mothers and mushrooms, so perhaps a visit to "Wisconsin's Morel Capital" is on the menu. The Morel Mushroom Festival is held annually the weekend following Mother's Day. And it offers activities for the whole family: lower Wisconsin Riverway walking tours; buying and selling morels; kids' activities; a flea market; arts and crafts; geocaching; helicopter rides; Wisconsin and mushroom bites; plus tournaments and live music. Starts at 5 p.m. Friday, May 13, and runs 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 14, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15, in downtown Muscoda, Wisconsin. Get the full schedule at muscoda.com/ or call (608) 739-3182.
Open wide
Don't miss the debut of the free Open House Racine County, a countywide celebration of more than 40 interesting places in Racine, Wisconsin. Get in on behind-the-scenes tours; stroll the Wind Point Lighthouse grounds; visit the Racine Art Museum (RAM) and RAM's Chas. A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts for free; and get into history at the Racine Heritage Museum and the Burlington Historical Society. Meet alpacas at Earthcare Suri Alpacs in the Town of Burlington, see historic churches, tour the fire stations in downtown Racine and Kansasville, get rare inside looks at the Racine mayor's office and the Racine County Courthouse, and take behind-the-scenes tours at The Journal Times and WRJN/92.1. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at most locations on Saturday, May 21, in Racine, Wisconsin. openhouseracinecounty.com/