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John Deere Commons gets holiday glow
The 11th annual Lighting on the Commons in Moline, Ill., is a celebration of community spirit. Join thousands of participants on Nov. 17 as they enjoy this annual tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks display. The John Deere Commons and Moline Centre will be a bustling, festive destination filled with Victorian characters, free refreshments, MidCoast Fine Arts, children's activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, a trolley tour, holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa and his elves. (176 miles from O'Hare, (563) 823-8131, http://visitquadcities.com/for_visitors/calendar.html?date=2007-11-11)
Get into Christmas mood in Racine
The Historic Masonic Center Mansion in downtown Racine, Wis., sparkles with holiday cheer when the Festival of Trees takes residence. The annual event, Nov. 11-18 this year, features more than 80 meticulously decorated holiday trees, wreaths and stockings. On the final day, everything is raffled off. Other festival highlights include Santa's Workshop, a hands-on holiday activities area for children; a holiday gift shop; and the Christmas Cafe that provides holiday sweets. The festival also features numerous ticketed events including The Princess Ball, Mother/Son Night, Senior Day, Sugar Plum Ball and Breakfast With Santa. (60 miles from O'Hare, (262) 634-6002, www.visitracine.org)
View the work of Wisconsin artists
The Winter Art Festival in Madison, Wis., features 140 Wisconsin exhibitors with a wonderful selection of pottery, watercolors, fiber, wood, glass, photography, jewelry, graphics and sculpture. It is held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Nov. 10 and 11. (130 miles from O'Hare, (800) 373-6376, (608) 261-4000, www.artscraftwis.org/winter.html)
Put your best foot forward in Cairo
The oldest footrace in Southern Illinois is held in November each year on the Mississippi River levee in Cairo, Ill. On Nov. 10 the Levee Footrace will draw competitors in 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs. (388 miles from O'Hare, (618) 734-4400, www.southernmostillinois.com/events.php?function=events&mID=11)
Civil War band holds dance
Join Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln in the Grand March at the Harvest Ball in Racine, Wis., Nov. 10. Wisconsin's First Brigade Band, the oldest re-created Civil War brass band in the nation, will perform dance tunes Civil War style on original antique instruments. Brass band members, wearing Civil War uniforms and fancy ball gowns, teach dance steps to everyone who attends. Dancers twirling around the ballroom might catch a glimpse of Gen. Grant or do-si-do with Gen. Lee. (60 miles from O'Hare, (608) 527-4222, www.1stbrigadeband.org)
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'Sooner State' will celebrate 100 years
The state of Oklahoma turns 100 next month and is marking the occasion with more than 400 events across Oklahoma in a 14-month time span. A highlight is Statehood Day on Nov. 16. Events celebrating the creation of the 46th state will be held in the 1907 capital city, Guthrie, Okla. Minute-by-minute re-enactments of the original Statehood Day will begin the day's events. Descendants of many key figures in the original Statehood celebrations will join in and a parade will draw the crowd into Mineral Wells Park where a barbecue will serve the same food that was served 100 years ago in the same location. ((405) 228-2007, www.oklahomacentennial.com)
San Diego throws food and wine bash
Southern California's largest wine and culinary event will be held Nov. 14-18 in San Diego, Calif. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival will feature 160 wineries, 60 fine dining restaurants, gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, wine dinners, 15 cooking and wine-tasting classes, an olive oil competition and live and silent auctions. New events include the San Diego Wine Rave at a downtown nightclub and Bling & Bubbly showcasing champagne and sparkling wines. ((619) 342-7337, www.worldofwineevents.com)
• Event details are subject to change; contact organizers for updated information.