Midwest travel: Celebrate diversity at Holiday Folk Fair in Wisconsin
Chicago
That's a print
The first Chicago Printers Guild Publishers Fair is a two-day event that brings together guest speakers from publishing houses, curators from the Art Institute of Chicago and printmakers. More than 36 artists will sell their original print work at Elastic Arts in Logan Square. The majority of prints and posters being showcased are extremely limited, so come early. Also, a curated exhibition of selected work from the vendors will be on display in the gallery of Elastic Arts. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago. $5 suggested donation. chicagoprintersguild.org/fair/.
Old is in
Searching for classic holiday trees, ornaments and toys? Vintage Garage Holiday Market, Chicago's only all-vintage market that's housed in a covered parking garage, boasts 75 vendors offering colorful vintage decor, furniture, clothing, jewelry, art and lots of holiday items. If you have something that you think is vintage, bring it in and experts will help figure out what it is and what it's worth. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Vintage Garage Chicago, 5051 N. Broadway, Chicago. $5 admission. (312) 505-6373.
On the ball
In celebration of the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series victory, Thompson Chicago offers a Celebrate Like It's 1908 package, featuring a special $108 a night rate on select rooms and dates. The overnight stay package includes: a spin on "peanuts and Crackerjack" - Nico Osteria's trail mix and Popcorn Asylum baseball mix - and complimentary Lexus transportation to the Wrigleyville neighborhood and Wrigley Field, based on availability. Book now for stays between Dec. 1, 2016, and Feb. 28, 2017, at Thompson Chicago, 21 E. Bellevue Place, Chicago. There are a select number of rooms and dates available for the special rate; 72 hours prior advanced booking required. Lexus transportation is based on availability. (312) 266-2100 or thompsonhotels.com/hotels/thompson-chicago.
Midwest
You'll shoot your eye out, kid
The 1983 holiday classic "A Christmas Story" turns 33 this year and to celebrate, the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond is featuring the "A Christmas Story Comes Home" exhibit. See six animatronic window displays from Macy's in New York illustrate different scenes from the movie such as Higbee's Department Store Window, Flick's Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare, It's a Major Award, Santa's Mountain, The Bumpus Hounds and the Parker Living Room. Special events, photos with Santa and contests will be running all season. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through Dec. 31 at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, Indiana. (800) 255-5253 or see southshorecva.com/achristmasstory/.
Holiday folks
"Celebrate the Culture of Water" at this year's Holiday Folk Fair International, a multicultural festival with more than 50 ethnic groups represented. Sample exotic and familiar cuisine at the World Café; shop the wares of skilled artisans at the International Bazaar; take in music and dance performances; and browse ethnic cultural displays, arts and crafts displays, and educational exhibits and demonstrations. Stop at the Coffee House for beverages and to try a bevy of Arabian, Bavarian, Chinese, Czech, Egyptian, Filipino, Greek, French, German, Hawaiian and other ethnic treats. 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, Wisconsin. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door; $10 at the door for kids 6-12 and seniors 62 and older; free for military personnel (with military ID) and kids 5 and younger. (414) 225-6225 or folkfair.org/.
TGIF
Festive Friday Eves light up Cedar Creek Settlement with a series of five free family-oriented evenings during the holidays. The Settlement, 20 minutes north of Milwaukee, offers 25 gift and specialty shops, antique stores, galleries, three restaurants, artists' studios and the Cedar Creek Winery in a restored 1864 woolen mill. Festively adorned for the holidays with natural greenery, garlands, wreaths and thousands of tiny white lights, the first event is Feliz Navidad A Latin Christmas featuring live Latin music, dance, luminarias and food sampling. Subsequent Fridays focus on Home for the Holidays: The Settlement Christmas Showcase; Santa's Workshop; and A Taste of Christmas. 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 18 and 25 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16, at Cedar Creek Settlement, N70 W6340 Bridge Road, Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Free. (866) 626-7005 or cedarcreeksettlement.com/index.html.