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Cast your line for a whopper
The walleye are running (and so are the fish stories) as anglers take to the waters of the Wolf River in pursuit of that monster catch during Big Whopper Weekend April 11-13. Compete for trophies while fishing for walleye, northern and black bass. Enjoy food, beverages, a giant raffle and live entertainment in New London, Wis. (192 miles from O'Hare, (920) 779-6346, www.newlondontourism.com)
See model train layout in Freeport
The Fever River Railroad Spring Open House on April 12 and 13 is for anyone who enjoys model trains. The Fever River Railroad in Freeport, Ill., is a 103-by-24-foot HO scale model of a hypothetical railroad running from Duluth, Minn., to St. Louis, Mo. The railroad intersects with models of "real" railroads, each of which can be operated independently. Up to 20 trains can be operating at one time. Industries along the railroad right-of-way duplicate either actual facilities or are typical of the industries found in the Upper Midwest. Railroad memorabilia and pictures are also on display. (97 miles from O'Hare, (800) 369-2955, (815) 262-1602, www.feverriver.org)
See syrup making in the North Woods
During the Northern Wisconsin Maid Sugarbush Open House in Park Falls, Wis., visitors will see some of the 200 acres of maple trees being tapped for the production of 2,500 gallons of maple syrup. On April 12 and 13, visitors can tour the sugarbush and visit the Sugar Cabin filled with maple syrup products. (370 miles from O'Hare, (715) 762-4796)
Experience slavery at living-history park
Play the role of a fugitive slave and encounter a wide range of people and events during Follow the North Star, a program at Conner Prairie living-history attraction in Fishers, Ind., on April 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26. You might be part of a slave sale or meet a belligerent transplanted Southerner, a reluctantly helpful farm wife, a slave hunter or a Quaker family. The program is for ages 12 and older and reservations are required. (205 miles from O'Hare, (800) 966-1836, www.connerprairie.org)
Traditional musical tattoo comes to NIU
The annual Heartland International Tattoo Music & Dance Festival is the only musical tattoo of its kind in the Midwest. This traditional tattoo on April 12 and 13 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., will honor U.S. and Canadian military music units as well as international civilian entertainers. Patterned after the great Edinburgh Music Tattoo in Scotland, the show will feature more than 250 musicians, singers and entertainers that include both military and civilian brass bands, drum and bugle corps, wind bands, bagpipe bands, drill teams, flag corps and an array of dancers. (63 miles from O'Hare, (815) 756-1263, www.heartlandtattoo.org)
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Nation's biggest tattoo is in Norfolk
The Virginia International Tattoo, held annually in Norfolk, Va., draws thousands of spectators. The largest tattoo in the U.S., it features more than 850 performers from eight countries and includes musicians, dancers, marching bands, vocalists, military drill teams, color guards and massed pipes and drums. The 2008 tattoo, April 18-20, will salute the Netherlands, this year's most-honored NATO member nation. The tattoo is held in conjunction with Norfolk's International Azalea Festival April 14-19. ((757) 282-2800, (877) 741-2787, www.vafest.com)
Art festival ranks tops in Texas
The Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival celebrates its 23rd year April 17-20 in Fort Worth, Texas. More than 500,000 people converge for this free visual arts, entertainment and cultural event that has been rated the leading arts festival in the state. It showcases a nationally recognized fine art and fine craft juried fair, live concerts, performance artists and street performers and covers nine blocks of downtown Fort Worth. ((800) 433-5747, www.fortworth.com, (817) 336-2787, www.MainStreetArtsFest.org)
Travel the world in Houston
The Houston International Festival shrinks the world down to a few prime blocks in downtown Houston, Texas. Running April 19, 20, 26 and 27, the festival features food from around the world and an international arts market including one-of-a-kind juried arts. The culture of a different region is spotlighted each year. Africa will be featured in 2008. ((713) 654-8808, www.ifest.org)
Garden tours held across Virginia
Historic Garden Week, April 19-27, throughout Virginia, is known as "America's Largest Open House." On this, its 75th anniversary, the event will open more than 250 of the state's finest private homes, gardens and historic landmarks. More than 30 tours across the state spotlight four centuries of Virginia history and include the Colonial era, American Revolution, Civil War, Victorian period and 21st century. ((804) 644-7776, www.vagardenweek.org)
April visitors have pick of Keys events
Events next month in the Florida Keys showcase the spirit of this colorful region.
From April 18-27 the 26th Conch Republic Independence Celebration will be observed in Key West, Fla., with parades, bed races, parties and a wacky "drag race." All the fun commemorates the founding of the Conch Republic on April 23, 1982, in response to a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock that halted traffic in and out of the Florida Keys. ((305) 294-2298, www.conchrepublic.com)
Join an estimated field of 1,500 runners in an annual foot race across the longest segmental bridge in the world. The 27th Annual Seven Mile Bridge Run steps off from Marathon, Fla., on April 19. ((305) 743-8513, http://fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=2058)
During the 13th Annual Taste of Key West, scores of area restaurants present mouthwatering samples of their cuisine to benefit AIDS Help Inc. The culinary celebration takes place April 21 at the Truman Waterfront overlooking Key West Harbor in Key West, Fla. ((305) 296-6196, www.keywest.com/calendar/kwpevents.cfm)
• Event details are subject to change; contact organizers for updated information.