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Balloons will color Green County sky

Monroe's 23rd Annual Balloon Rally, Monroe, Wis., June 12-15. Hot-air balloonists from around the world lift into the sky over the Green County Fair. As many as 40 inflated and tethered hot-air balloons light the night sky during the annual Friday "Nite Lite." Saturday and Sunday, be sure to visit the Taste of Monroe with an annual craft fair and car show near historic downtown Monroe. (112 miles from O'Hare, (608) 325-7648, www.monroechamber.org)

Plan a rendezvous in Wisconsin

Prairie Villa Rendezvous, Prairie du Chien, Wis., June 12-15. Rendezvous with history and learn about life during the fur-trading days. Re-enactment participants from all over the country come to display furs, demonstrate period tools and guns, and prepare foods common in that era. Ongoing demonstrations feature basket-weaving, bead-working, and plants and medicines. With more than 600 lodges and tepees, this is one of the Midwest's largest trading rendezvous. (226 miles from O'Hare, (608) 822-6916, www.prairieduchien.org)

Go see Thomas the Tank Engine

Day Out With Thomas, Green Bay, Wis., June 11-15. Thomas the Tank Engine and Sir Topham Hatt visit the National Railroad Museum. Ride along with Thomas on his train, enjoy a full lineup of children's entertainment and explore the entire museum. (191 miles from O'Hare, (920) 437-7623, www.nationalrrmuseum.org)

Enjoy that old-time music in Morris, Ill.

Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival, Morris, Ill., June 14 and 15. Features concert performances, workshops and jam sessions plus an evening of Old Time Dance with a caller at Gebhard Woods State Park. Musicians will come from throughout the U.S. to celebrate the sound of hammered and mountain dulcimers and to share songs of their local folk regions. (62 miles from O'Hare, (815) 942-0796, (708) 331-6875, www.gwdf.org)

Door County town honors Scandinavia

Fyr Bal Festival, Ephraim, Wis., June 13-15. Celebrate the summer solstice at this Scandinavian festival in Door County. Includes ethnic food and music, traditional Scandinavian dancers and singers, a community fish boil, crafts, Ephraim Historical Walking Tours, village chieftain ceremony, sailboat regatta, Viking ship, bonfires and fireworks. (261 miles from O'Hare, (920) 854-4989, www.ephraim-doorcounty.com)

Visit Michigan's little Bavaria

Bavarian Festival, Frankenmuth, Mich., June 12-15. This is the 50th anniversary of this taste of Old Bavaria, with traditional music played by German bands, colorful costumes, hearty Bavarian foods, homemade pretzels and a festive parade. (316 miles from O'Hare, (800) 386-3378, www.frankenmuthfestivals.com, www.frankenmuth.org)

Let the kids throw ˆ½a pot in Wisconsin

17th Annual Cambridge Pottery Festival & U.S. Pottery Games, Cambridge, Wis., June 14 and 15. Watch world-famous potters compete; walk through the displays of pottery vendors. Bring the kids to try their hand at throwing a pot. (113 miles from O'Hare, (608) 423-3780, www.cambridgepotteryfestival.org)

Film festival ranks among top rated

10th Annual Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck, Mich., June 12-15. Named among the top five favorite film festivals by Screen Actors Guild Magazine, the program includes film premieres, seminars and socializing with industry types. (159 miles from O'Hare, (269) 857-8351, www.waterfrontfilm.org)

Love that big band music in Iowa

Glenn Miller Festival, Clarinda, Iowa, June 12-15. Visit Glenn Miller's hometown to hear big band music from bands from across the U.S. and abroad. Also includes a parade, Big Band Breakfast and picnics. (456 miles from O'Hare, (712) 542-2461, www.glennmiller.org/festival.htm)

Gain an appreciation for round barns

Round Barn Festival, Rochester, Ind., June 12-14. Round barn tours daily. Crafts, food, entertainment, sporting events, twilight parade and newlywed game. (134 miles from O'Hare, (574) 224-4436, www.icss.net/~fchs)

Swedish Americans celebrate heritage

Midsommar, Minneapolis, Minn., June 14. Celebrate the coming of summer with fiddling, dancing, colorful Swedish folk costumes, arts and crafts and the raising of the midsummer pole at the American Swedish Institute. (391 miles from O'Hare, (612) 871-4907, www.americanswedishinst.org)

Far

Virginia park will return to Civil War

Civil War Weekend at Pamplin Historical Park & the National Museum, Petersburg, Va., June 21 and 22. The rattle of musketry and the roar of cannon rally visitors to this commemoration of the Civil War era. Try your luck at a 19th-century game of chance and meet a Civil War surgeon. Living-history demonstrations, lectures and book signings, storytelling and musical performances engage all your senses. ((877) 726-7546, www.pamplinpark.org)

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