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Elizabethan England rules rural Wisconsin

Bristol Renaissance Faire, Kenosha, Wis., Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day July 5 through Sept. 1. A 16th-century village celebrates the food, games and crafts of Elizabethan England. Hundreds of costumed performers offer continuous entertainment on 16 open-air stages and in the village streets. Highlights include a joust on horseback, Queen Elizabeth I and her court, Robin Hood, a festive kids' kingdom and craft demonstrations. (49 miles from O'Hare, (847) 395-7773, www.renfair.com/bristol)

See action in the air and on the ground

Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival, Battle Creek, Mich., July 2-6. Lift off in a colorful hot air balloon or just watch the daily evening balloon launches. Activities on the ground include custom car and motorcycle shows, carnival, arts and crafts, concerts and fireworks. (187 miles from O'Hare, (269) 962-0592, www.bcballoons.com)

Things will be just ducky in Wisconsin

Ducktona 500, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., July 6. See 4,500 plastic ducks race down the Sheboygan River for cash prizes. Classic car show, arts and crafts, live music, climbing wall, games for kids, pony rides, petting zoo and Big Wheel Race for ages 3-7. (133 miles from O'Hare, (920) 467-6206, www.sheboyganfalls.org)

Get your fill of quilts in Arcola, Ill.

32nd Quilt Celebration, Arcola, Ill., July 4-13. See a display of more than 200 quilts at Rockome Gardens along with a marketplace of supplies and notions. (183 miles from O'Hare, (217) 268-4106, www.rockome.com)

Relive Indiana's only Civil War battle

Battle of Corydon Re-enactment, Corydon, Ind., July 5 and 6. Witness the sights, sound and tales from the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. (331 miles from O'Hare, (888) 738-2137, www.thisisindiana.org)

It's party time ȯˆ¿Ã‚ˆ½in cherry country

National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, Mich., July 5-12. The precision-flying U.S. Navy Blue Angels launch the 82nd celebration of cherries -- the region produces 75 percent of the nation's crop. More than 150 events include parades, sporting events, orchard tours, music shows, culinary contests, carnival rides and games. (333 miles from O'Hare, (800) 968-3380, www.cherryfestival.org)

Help Stevens Point mark 150 years

Riverfront Rendezvous, Stevens Point, Wis., July 3-6. Community celebrates its 150th anniversary with live music, food and refreshments, fireworks and a boat parade. Highlights include a concert by the BoDeans and a carp fishing classic. (234 miles from O'Hare, (715) 346-1531, www.stevenspoint.com/rr)

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Have a grape of a time in Taos

Third Annual Toast of Taos Food and Wine Festival, Taos, N.M., July 4-12. The best wines of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado will be featured along with food and dining programs. ((575) 751-5811, www.toastoftaos.com)

Celebrate folk ȯˆ¿Ã‚ˆ½culture of America

National Folk Festival, July 11-13, Butte, Mont. Free performances and demonstrations by more than 250 of the nation's finest musicians, dancers and craftspeople; 25 artists/groups on seven stages, several themed festival areas, marketplaces and food courts. ((406) 497-6464, www.nationalfolkfestival.com)

Napa Valley brings classical music home

Festival del Sole, Napa Valley, Calif., July 12-20. Celebrate the finest in music, food, wine and art in Napa Valley. Returning guest artists include violinists Joshua Bell and Dmitry Sitkovetsky, French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and 13-year-old piano prodigy Conrad Tao. Artists making their festival debut include Andre Watts and Simone Dinnerstein, oboist Alexei Ogrintchouk, soprano Measha Brueggergosman, opera favorite Jill Grove and mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca. Featured ensembles are the Dallas Symphony, UBS Verbier Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Opera Festival Orchestra and the Napa Valley Symphony. ((707) 226-8742, www.festivaldelsole.com/napavalley)

Art fair goes annual in Santa Fe, N.M.

ART Santa Fe, Santa Fe, N.M., July 10-13. Contemporary art fair goes annual this year after a turnout of 5,000 last year. Galleries from around the world will exhibit. ((505) 988-8883, www.artsantafe.com)

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