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Midwest heritage showcased in Indiana

Indiana Festival, Fishers, Ind., June 7 and 8. Enjoy a variety of dance, music, food and art showcasing the diverse cultures and heritage of Indiana. At Conner Prairie living-history attraction, you will see demonstrations from skilled artisans and craftsmen representing the artist's cultural heritage in areas of painting, jewelry, basketry, furniture, glass, woodworking and textiles. (205 miles from O'Hare, (800) 966-1836, www.connerprairie.org)

Be a buckaroo in Carson City, Mich.

Carson City Frontier Days, Carson City, Mich., June 5-8. An annual celebration since 1973, the family-friendly event features hot air balloons, a carnival, softball tournament, talent show, arts and crafts, car show, lawnmower races and parades. (247 miles from O'Hare, (989) 584-3515, www.carsoncityfrontierdays.com)

Go fly a kite in Kenosha

Outta Sight Kite Flight, Kenosha, Wis., June 7 and 8. Offers stunt kite demonstrations by professional fliers, giant show kites, stunt kite-flying lessons, kite contests, kite-making workshops and kite-flying fun for all ages. Bring your own kite or purchase one at the festival. Free admission. (49 miles from O'Hare, (262) 653-4005, www.kenoshaevents.com)

Get a taste of Greece in Kalamazoo

Dionysos Greek Festival, Kalamazoo, Mich., June 5-7.

Enjoy food, dance and music with a festive Greek flavor. Family-friendly activities on Saturday fill downtown's Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Children's program Sunday afternoon. (164 miles from O'Hare, (269) 345-4471, (800) 888-0509, www.kalamazoogreekfest.com)

Pack your eye patch for Port Washington

Port Washington Pirate Festival, Port Washington, Wis., June 6-8. A dance, a pirate ship, music, entertainment, refreshments, re-enactors, a pirate costume contest and a parade. Free admission. Takes place downtown and along the marina. (104 miles from O'Hare, (262) 284-6652, www.portpiratefestival.com)

Spend a day tasting Indiana wine

Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival, Indianapolis, Ind., June 7. The festival is expected to attract more than 10,000 people who will enjoy samples of more than 100 wines from 20 of Indiana's wineries. The day's lineup also includes live music, a variety of foods from 10 of Indianapolis' top restaurants, an interactive KidZone sponsored by Radio Disney and the Wine and Food Experience Pavilion with live cooking and wine demonstrations. Admission prices: adults (age 21 and older) $20 in advance, $23 day of event; designated driver $10 advance and day of event; youth $5. Children age 5 and younger are free. Food and wine by the glass/bottle are not included in admission price, but are available for purchase. (204 miles from O'Hare, (800) 832-9463, www.vintageindiana.com)

Don't chicken out at this festival

Gizzard Fest, Potterville, Mich., June 6-8. There's a gizzard-eating contest on this festival's packed schedule that includes amusement rides, live entertainment, kids' activities, antique tractor and car shows, fireworks, a craft fair and parade. (221 miles from O'Hare, (517) 645-2313, www.gizzardfest.com)

Go for walleye in Fond du Lac

Walleye Weekend Festival, Fond du Lac, Wis., June 6-8. The community's signature event lures more than 100,000 people to Lakeside Park with family entertainment, national and local music acts on five stages, sporting events, including Mercury Marine's National Fishing Tournament, and hundreds of other attractions. Admission, parking and shuttles for the yearly celebration are free. (139 miles from O'Hare, (920) 923-6555, www.fdlfest.com)

Arts festivals draws crowds to Michigan

Detroit Festival of the Arts, Detroit, Mich., June 6-8. Performing and visual artists, a juried art show, Children's Fair and food and beverage booths fill Detroit's Cultural Center. (308 miles from O'Hare, (800) 338-7648, www.detroitfestival.com)

Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Mich., June 6-8. Visual, performing and culinary arts are the focus of this free feast for the senses. The streets of downtown Grand Rapids and indoor and outdoor stages showcase West Michigan artists and a wide range of live performances, while food booths dazzle the taste buds. (196 miles from O'Hare, (616) 459-1300, www.festivalofthearts.org)

Have a 'dairy' good time in Wisconsin

Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival, Little Chute, Wis., June 6-8. The festival started in 1989 as a response to Rome, N.Y.'s claim of having the best cheese in the nation. Little Chute invited the mayor of Rome to the Cheese Festival for a cheese-tasting competition to settle the dispute. (Festival goers chose Wisconsin cheeses in taste tests.) Today, the festival trumpets this victory with three days of "cheesy" fun, including a cheese breakfast, parade, cheese-carving demonstrations, a cheesecake contest and, of course, plenty of cheese tasting. (192 miles from O'Hare, (920) 788-7390, www.littlechutewi.org)

Tour log cabins in Southern Indiana

Brown County Log Cabin Tour, Nashville, Ind., June 7 and 8. Take a self-guided tour through the back roads of Brown County to visit private log homes. Tickets are $15 adults, $7 children, younger than 2 free. (253 miles from O'Hare, (800) 753-3255, www.logcabintour.com)

Wisconsin rolls out the red carpet

Free Fishing Weekend, throughout Wisconsin, June 7 and 8. This observance reminds those who haven't been fishing in a while of what they're missing and introduces the sport to a new school of anglers. Free fishing in all state lakes and streams, including rivers bordering Wisconsin. Licenses are not required. ((800) 432-8747, (608) 266-2161, www.travelwisconsin.com)

Wisconsin State Parks Open House Day, throughout Wisconsin, June 8. No admission stickers are required on this day at any Wisconsin State Parks. Many parks have special events and refreshments for the occasion. ((800)432-8747, www.wiparks.net)

Visitor Appreciation Day at Wisconsin Historic Sites, throughout Wisconsin, June 8. Wisconsin history comes to life as historic sites throughout the state (Circus World Museum excluded) open their doors for a day of discounted family fun. Stroll through the villages and farms of Old World Wisconsin, travel back to 1860s Wisconsin at the Wade House, visit the Victorian-era hallways of Villa Louis and much more. Children younger than 5 are free. ((608) 264-6586, www.wisconsinhistory.org)

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Ribs and jazz go hand in hand in KC

Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival, Kansas City, Mo., June 13-15. Blending two of Kansas City's richest traditions, jazz and barbecue, Rhythm & Ribs creates an exciting recipe for family fun with an amateur barbecue competition and national jazz acts in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District over Father's Day Weekend. ((816) 221-1719, www.kcrhythmandribs.com)

Bonnaroo draws campers, music fans

Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, Tenn., June 12-15. Camping and music festival on 700-acre farm includes more than 100 bands, comedians, art, activities, workshops and vendors. This year's lineup includes Pearl Jam, Metallica, Widespread Panic, Chris Rock, Phil Lesh & Friends, Willie Nelson and B.B. King. (www.bonnaroo.com)

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