Summer fun in Chicago's Chinatown, Riverwalk
Chicago A (chic) room at the innNear the Chicago Riverwalk, Navy Pier, theaters, Michigan Avenue and museums, Hotel 71 offers a "Summer in the City" package that includes complimentary overnight parking and an offer of 30 percent off a second room. The 39-story downtown tower offers a 24-hour fitness center and great city views. Available through Sept. 6, rates begin at $169 per night at Hotel 71, Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. Book online at hotel71.com and to reserve the second room, call (312) 346-7100.Summer fun in ChinatownHave the family immersed in another culture, minus the 15-hour flight and expense, at Chicago's Chinatown Summer Fair. The neighborhood festival features a colorful Lion Dance procession plus Asian cultural entertainment from music to dance. Have a taste of Chinatown's many restaurants and browse the unique gift shops, Chinese arts and crafts exhibits and the children's area. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 18, in Chinatown at Wentworth Avenue from Cermak Road to 24th Place in Chicago. Visit chicagochinatown.com.Call of the wildNow in its 17th season, Jammin' at the Zoo offers concerts in Lincoln Park Zoo. This year Chicago alt-rockers Lovehammers and Collective Soul will headline concerts on the zoo's south lawn. Bring a blanket or small chairs because it's first-come, first-serve lawn seating. Arrive early and enjoy dinner from Park Place Caf#233; or stop by the Kovler Lion House and Kovler Sea Lion Pool, which will be open during the event. 2001 N. Clark St. Gates open at 6 p.m. with music starting at 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 23. Tickets in advance cost $23 for adults, $12 for children ages 4-12; day-of-event tickets cost $28 for adults, $14 for kids, children younger than 3 admitted free. Call (800) 919-6272 or visit lpzoo.org/eve jammin.php.Midwest Blowin' in the windWhere have all the flowers gone? They're in Woodstock for its 25th annual Folk Festival. The outdoor main stage features contemporary acoustic performers, folk circuit mainstays and plenty of bluegrass, Americana, country and Southern blues tunes. Bring your guitar for a hands-on, interactive guitar workshop with a teacher from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music and tote your nerve for the open-mic session. There also will be a kids' area full of music and activities. The historic Woodstock Opera House presents Chicago folk legend Bonnie Koloc in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 17. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 18, in Woodstock's square. Entrance to the event is by donation. Tickets for the Koloc concert are available at (815) 338-5300. Visit woodstockfolk music.com/folkfestival.Hoptacular MichiganJuly is Michigan Craft Beer Month, so consider drinking in the 13th Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town. More than 50 Michigan craft breweries will showcase 300-plus craft beers while alternative rock, blues, funk, Americana, Motown and swampy blues are played on stage. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 23, and 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24. Admission tickets include 15 drink tokens and cost $30 in advance ($35 at the gate) on Friday and $35 in advance ($40 at the gate) on Saturday. Riverside Park, Ypsilanti, Mich. Call (877) 772-5425 or visit michiganbrewersguild.org.Indiana wants youSoul Asylum, Jon Secada, Clint Black, En Vogue and Boyz II Men are just some of the performers doing sound checks today for Festival of the Lakes next week. The Hammond, Ind., festival features free admission to music events. There will be fireworks, a carnival, kids' activities, food, free pontoon boat rides and roving performers.5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Thursday, July 14-15; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 16; and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, 2938 S. Calumet Ave., Hammond, Ind. Free admission, but parking is $15. Visit festival.gohammond.com.Worth the tripNo place celebrates American literary icon Ernest Hemingway like Key West, Fla. The 30th annual Hemingway Days Festival honors the life and works of the former Key West resident with quirky entertainment: see more than 125 burly, bearded contestants compete in the "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and the annual Running of the Bulls, featuring beer barrels on wheels. Enjoy readings and book signings by authors, a one-man play exploring the literary legend's life; a museum exhibit of Hemingway memorabilia; and a three-day marlin fishing tournament. Tuesday to Sunday, July 20-25, in Key West. Free admission, but certain events have fees. Call (800) 352-5397 or visit fla-keys.com.