Travel calendar
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
Grease is good.
Whether you're a beauty school dropout or were born to hand jive, gather the lawn chairs, blankets and munchies and snag a good spot to see "Grease" at the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park. Sing along and say goodbye to "Summer Nights" as the 1978 hit musical is the final outdoor movie of the season, screening on Aug. 26 at 8:03 p.m. Butler Field, Grant Park. 100 South Lake Shore Drive. For details about the free event, call (312) 744-3315 or bop by www.cityofchicago.org.
Taste of Polonia
Jedzcie, pijcie i popuszczajcie pasta" - Eat, drink and loosen your belt
You'll be reciting Polish like a pro after an hour or two at the Taste of Polonia, the largest Polish festival in the United States. Nonstop live entertainment, rock, blues and polka music courtesy of Polish and American stars, dance, folk art and games galore round out the eating portion of the event. Sample bigos (hunter's stew), golabki (stuffed cabbage), beet soup, breaded pork cutlets, sweet poppy seed cake and the morsel that keeps 'em coming back for more - pirogi - stuffed with everything from mashed spuds to plums. August 29-September 1st at the Copernicus Foundation Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. - Chicago (Jefferson Park). Stew about it at www.copernicusfdn.org or call (773) 777-8898.
The Nike+ Human Race
Da-Do-Run-Run
OK - so maybe we can't have world peace, but perhaps we can commiserate on fallen arches as an ambitious global 10K running event steps off in Chicago's Soldier Field at 6:30 p.m. (and in cities all across the world) on Aug. 31. Runners select one of three global causes that their registration fees benefit including: World Wildlife Fund, Lance Armstrong Foundation and ninemillion.org. Chicago's registration fee is $35 and participants are treated to a post race concert by Fallout Boy. Sprint to www.Nikeplus.com to register.
Midwest
Rock Island Grand Prix
Go, Speed Racer!
With thousands of dollars in prize money and 15 class divisions, the annual Rock Island Grand Prix is no carnival ride but rather a go-kart race that attracts over 300 drivers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, France, Italy and Colombia. The world's best drivers come to the Quad Cities to compete in the largest and safest go-kart street race on the globe, and it's truly a one-of-a-kind experience for spectators. In addition to food and merchandise booths, kid's activities and other race-related activities, the area offers restaurants, pubs, a comedy club, galleries, a dinner theater, casino and live entertainment clubs all within walking distance of the race. For the 411 on the free admission race, contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800 or www.visitquadcities.com. Aug. 30-31, 2008.
The North American Festival of Wales
Gathering of Wales
And you thought Catherine Zeta-Jones was Wales' only export of import! The largest Welsh gathering in North America sails into Oakbrook with current and traditional Welsh music, speakers, workshops, a film festival and more. For details on the North American Festival of Wales, go to www.nafow.org or call (810) 632-7850. Aug. 28-31, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel, Oak Brook, IL.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
See you in September
You say the kids are glum about the summer of '08 coming to a close? There's nothing like a good, old-fashioned family festival to quash visions of homework-hungry teachers, and Schaumburg Septemberfest gets points for proximity, plenty of rides and food and dynamite entertainment like Lonnie Brooks and Richard Marx. Sample items from Bang Bang Shrimp to deep-fried Oreos, prepared by 24 of the village's top restaurants, watch the two-mile-long parade and wave bye-bye to summer. Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, Schaumburg; Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Call (847) 923-3636 or breeze by
Worth the Trip
Autumn Dude Ranch Vacations
Hey, Dude! Sweet horse!
With cool mountain air and spectacular colors drifting in (and little varmints back in school), autumn may be the best time of the year to get away to a Western dude ranch. Factor in lower rates, flexible duration of stays and hundreds of ranches from which to choose and you've got a dreamy, ready-made vacation. Some ranches reserve fall exclusively for adults, others host Women Only retreats and many offer special classes for painters, shutterbugs, knitters and writers. Go to the Dude Rancher's Association Web site, www.duderanch.org, for details.