Travel Calendar

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Wine festival debuts in Lake Geneva

In the planning stages for more than two years, the Lake Geneva Wine Festival uncorks its inaugural schedule of events showcasing the talents of nationally and locally recognized vintners and chefs Sept. 6-9 in Lake Geneva, Wis. A highlight will be a series of intimate dinners presented in lakeside estates and fine dining establishments. The chef of Chicago's Opera will preside at the 36-acre Dreihaus estate and the chef of Milwaukee's Ristorante Bartolotta will show off his culinary skills at Green Gables, part of the original P.K. Wrigley estate. Other events include wine seminars, culinary demonstrations, a Grand Tasting and wine sampling. (61 miles from O'Hare, (262) 245-8635, www.lakegenevawinefestival.com)

Watch out for Carry Nation's hatchet

This 34th annual Carry Nation Festival in Holly, Mich., commemorates the 1908 visit by temperance crusader Carry Nation and her hatchet. A BBQ cook-off, parade, classic car show, pancake breakfast and performances by the Yellow Submarines Beatles tribute band round out the weekend of Sept. 7-9. (302 miles from O'Hare, (248) 634-1900, www.carrynation.org)

In Michigan, this spud's for you

Potato displays and dishes are just part of the fun at the annual Posen Potato Festival in Posen, Mich. The community's Polish heritage shines Sept. 7-9 in the polka dances and Polish Polka Folk Mass. Polish sausage is served at the VFW breakfast and Potato Pancake Dinner. (444 miles from O'Hare, (989) 766-8128, www.posenchamber.com/potato.html)

Fondue goes big time in Fond du Lac

The annual fall festival in Fond du Lac, Wis., sports a new name, the Fond du Lac Fondue Festival. Scheduled Sept. 8, the event will feature the World's Largest Fondue in an attempt to break a world record. Representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand. A local manufacturer is producing the fondue pot measuring 8 feet across, as well as fondue forks measuring more than 3 feet long. Visitors can enjoy their cheese fondue while taking in the Kids' Talent Show, crafts and food vendors, Kids Zone children's activities, workshops at Windhover Center of the Arts, a farmers market and two Main Street stages featuring live bands. (139 miles from O'Hare, (920) 921-9500, visit www.downtownfdl.com)

Check out the purple feet

Yes, there's a Grape Stomp competition at the Wine & Harvest Festival in Paw Paw, Mich. From Sept. 7-9 you can sample local wines, take vineyard and winery tours and enjoy entertainment on three stages, a classic car show, craft fair, carnival, kids' area, parade, bicycle tour and fireworks. (143 miles from O'Hare, (269) 655-1111, www.wineandharvestfestival.com)

Have a Highland fling in Indiana

Learn all about Scotland in Columbus, Ind., at the Columbus Scottish Festival Sept. 8 and 9. There will be sheep herding, authentic Scottish food, music, storytellers, Highland dancers, bagpipers, children's activities and British cars. (246 miles from O'Hare, (800) 468-6564, scottishfestival.org)

Tour historic homes in Marshall, Mich.

The Marshall Historical Society's 44th annual Marshall Historic Home Tour in Marshall, Mich., showcases eight historic homes and a half dozen additional sites on Sept. 8 and 9. Visitors will see unusual architecture, antique home furnishings, Civil War memorabilia, a restored antique post office, Michigan's largest collection of magic memorabilia and two art centers. In addition, there will be an antique show, art fair and live music. (197 miles from O'Hare, (800) 877-5163, www.marshallhistoricalsociety.org)

Wausau weekend is devoted to art

Wausau's Artrageous Weekend celebrates several forms of art media at three venues in Wausau, Wis., Sept. 8 and 9. Pottery, painting, photography, woodcrafts, weaving and stained glass are just a few of the presentations. There will be live demonstrations, entertainment, food, a juried art show, ethnic food stands, a children's art area with hands-on activities and demonstrating artists. (264 miles from O'Hare, (715) 845-7010, www.visitwausau.com/index.cfm?ID=151)

Try a blueberry brat in Plymouth

The 41st Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 in Plymouth, Ind. Blueberries in many tastyˆ½ forms will be featured in treats such as blueberry doughnuts, blueberry brats, blueberry ice cream or just a simple dish of blueberries. Along with the berries, the festival features both youth and adult sports activities including the Blueberry Stomp 5K/15K run, a garden tractor pull and softball, tennis and volleyball competitions. Guests can also watch a balloon glow, balloon launches and one of the largest fireworks shows in the Midwest. (112 miles from O'Hare, (888) 936-5020, www.blueberryfestival.org)

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Elbows up in Telluride, Colo.

The 14th annual Telluride Blues & Brews Grand Tasting will take place Sept. 14-16 in Telluride, Colo. Savor more than 100 beers from 50 microbreweries from the Southwestern United States and beyond while listening to the blues. From ales to lagers, nut browns to I.P.A.'s and everything in between, the Grand Tasting has it all. All of the breweries compete in the Best of Fest competition with festival attendees choosing the winner. ((866) 515-6166, www.tellurideblues.com)

Fleet Week is month of military tributes

Visitors to San Diego, Calif., a city known for its beaches, zoo and idyllic weather, are in for an unusual experience when the city pays homage to the U.S. military with a month-long celebration called Fleet Week San Diego. Heralded as the largest military appreciation event in the nation, the event offers civilians an opportunity to experience fighter jet demonstrations, tour Navy ships and take part in military traditions. From Sept. 17 through Oct. 28, Fleet Week San Diego will feature a variety of events and activities including the Port of San Diego Sea & Air Parade when aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, frigates and Coast Guard vessels parade through San Diego Bay; the Marine Corp Recruit Depot Bootcamp Challenge, when visitors can sign up to be Marine recruits for a day and face the drill fields and obstacle course; Navy Ship Tours; the SRT Coronado Speed Festival when vintage cars take over the runways of Naval Air Station North Island, whipping around military hardware displays and aircraft hangars; and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show featuring vintage biplanes to the latest in aviation technology. ((619) 858-1545, www.fleetweeksandiego.org)

• Event details are subject to change; contact organizers for updated information.