On the road: Long Grove celebrates art and wine
Chicago
Art full of soul
The Bucktown Arts Fest is celebrating its 28th year and has become a premier gathering of 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, craftspeople, jewelry makers, musicians, actors, poets and dancers. Bring the young artists for fast and fun make-and-take projects at the Kids Tent. The Collaboraction Theater also offers the Dome of Doom where kids of all ages strut their stuff in dance battles inside a geodesic dome. Food and refreshments also will be on hand.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25, at Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave. Chicago. Free admission. bucktownarts fest.com.
Mangia, mangia
You might have had toasted ravioli here and an Italian ice there at fests across the area this summer, but this is the old neighborhood, so expect to be wowed by the possibilities. Chicago’s own Festa Italiana attracts more than 50,000 to the Taylor Street stretch of Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. Don’t miss the Turano Baking Company and Fontanini Meatball Eating Contest, grape stomping and bocce ball. Sway to crooners like Moreno Fruzzetti and Tony Spavone, reminisce with 1960s teen idol Bobby Rydell and enjoy a lineup of pop, rock and family entertainment on three stages. Bring your appetite and enjoy homemade Italian cuisine, from stuffed rice balls to beef sandwiches to gelato.
5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 22-23; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; and 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, on Taylor Street, between Racine and Ashland Avenue. Suggested donation is $5. festaitaliana chicago.org.
Zeus approved
Make like Zorba and live for fun, food and dancing at the 24th annual Taste of Greece held in Chicago’s own Greektown neighborhood. Browse crafts and goods from the Greek Isles, stroll the new fine arts area, enjoy Greek bands and games for kids and families. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample food from the area’s famous Greek restaurants. Count on gyros, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, seafood, sweets and pitas filled with Greek delicacies.
Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25, along 100 to 400 S. Halsted St., Chicago. greektownchicago.org.
Midwest
Long and short of it
More than 100 juried artists will exhibit at the 25th Annual Long Grove Fine Art and Wine Festival. Browse art created in oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, wood, photography, fiber, glass, paper, metal and mixed media. Kids can head to the arts and crafts tent and all will appreciate live musical entertainment and festival food. The large selection of fine wines rounds out the festivities.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25, at 343 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission and parking are free. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveart fest.com
Discover Columbus
If you’ve wanted to visit Columbus, Ind., to see its collection of cutting-edge architecture, pencil in a trip during the town‘s fourth annual ArtFEST. More than 100 local, regional and national artists will display mixed media, ceramics, fiber, leather, furniture, glass, jewelry, printmaking, sculpture and woodwork. Consider signing up for Meltdown, Iron Pour and Glass Forming Workshops where participants create their own art objects.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in the downtown Columbus Arts District. Free admission. columbus.in.us.
Delve into Delavan
Take the family to Lake Lawn Resort on the shores of Delavan Lake for a two- or three-night Labor Day getaway. The weekend includes family activity passes, a rock-climbing wall, live entertainment and a Sunday lawn party featuring a Biker’s Hog Roast. The three-night package includes lodging in a Lakewood or Lodges guest room, nightly lakeside bonfire with entertainment, admission to the Labor Day Lawn Party and Hog Roast, and a Family Activities Pass.
Available for arrivals Friday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Sept. 1, at 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, Wis. Three-night package is $599 for two adults and two children, tickets for the Biker’s Hog Roast are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. (262) 728-7950 or lakelawnresort.com.