Special American Girl package at Affinia Hotel

Chicago

She's an all-American

Many young girls love their American Girl dolls with names like Samantha, Molly and Kirsten. The Affinia Chicago hotel debuts a new affiliation with the American Girl Place store located just blocks from the hotel. The new American Girl Place Package includes an exclusive American Girl doll-sized travel bed, pillow and blanket for her doll, a special turn down "sweet treat" for her and her doll and a customized welcome note. The American Girl Place Deluxe Package includes everything from the regular package plus a keepsake (either sleeping bag or sleepover kit), bath toy, complimentary breakfast for a child in C-House, 20 percent discount to C-House or in-room dining, free Internet access to the Penpal Program and free local phone calls to friends and more.

Affinia Chicago, 166 E. Superior St., Chicago. Package valid through Dec. 31. Make reservations by calling (866) 246-2203 or visit affinia.com/americangirl and use the promotional code AMGIRL or DLXGRL.

Looking pugly

Dog lovers will love the upcoming Spring Pug Party. The kid and family-friendly event includes a Pug Parade (costumes encouraged) that will be videotaped at face level. Later you can watch it on YouTube for your Pug viewing pleasure. Hundreds of pugs are expected for the friendly, casual afternoon of pugly shenanigans including a large Pug-pen for free-range romping, food and drinks for purchase and new Pug merchandise for sale (with proceeds from sales going to benefit "Pughugs," a Pug Rescue Organization). PugParty.com, founded 1994, is a for-profit organization.

Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 22. Adults are $7, kids are $4 and Pugs are free at Joe's, 940 W. Weed St. Chicago.

Moving and grooving

Shake your groove thing at the seventh annual Chicago Moves Day rally, a fitness initiative featuring instructors from local fitness clubs and organizations leading workouts for the general public. Fitness instructors will be on hand to lead workouts, get you motivated and offer tips on how to maintain a healthy fitness regimen. All ages and abilities are invited to participate in the workouts that include Bhangra dance, yoga, cardio dance boot camp conducted by the U.S. Army, arthritis exercise, Latin dance, kids' fitness and more. Admission is free and be sure to pick up a passport at the event. Passports will be stamped after participants take a class or visit an information booth. When you have five stamps, you're eligible to receive a goody bag while supplies last.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 10, at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. Directions and details at chicagoworksout.com.

Midwest

Beacon for the weekend

Be among the first to see the new Southport Light Station in Kenosha, Wis., as the Kenosha History Center welcomes visitors to the opening of the new lighthouse and maritime museum. View historic harbor maps, an authentic Fresnel lens, lighthouse keepers' tools and learn about Kenosha's harbor history. The first floor of the building has been restored to a 1907-08 time period, complete with historic paint colors and a period kitchen. Entertainer David Drake will sing maritime songs throughout the day and re-enactors will be present, portraying lighthouse keepers who worked the light station. Be sure to take a tour to the top 55 feet above the lighthouse grounds, to see Kenosha, Lake Michigan, Illinois and Racine

Grand opening will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Southport Light Station Museum, 5117 4th Ave. on Simmons Island in Kenosha. Tours to the top of the 1866 lighthouse cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 8 to 12 years old. There is no charge for touring the keeper's house, but a $2 per person donation is suggested. After May 15, the Southport Light Station Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31. Call (262) 654-5770 or visit kenoshahistorycenter.org.

Source of Norse, of course

Stoughton, Wis., (just south of Madison) celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day during the annual Syttende Mai (May 17th) festival, one of the largest fests of its kind in North America. Held on the weekend closest to that date, the event dates back to1868 when Norwegian immigration to the area was reaching its peak. You'll see lots of folks dressed in authentic Norse costumes, folk dancing performances by the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, exhibits of Norwegian painting and needlework, woodcarving, Norse costume style show, Norwegian church services, smorgasbord of Norwegian foods, a variety of musical performances and an Ugliest Troll Drawing contest. Visit the arts and crafts fair, quilt show, Viking encampment, sailboat race on Lake Kegonsa and enjoy the parade and local food stands everywhere along the way.

9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, in and around downtown Stoughton. Call (888) 873-7912 or visit stoughtonwi.com.

Under the yum yum tree

Foodies unite in appetites at the 17th annual Chefs' Fest when nearly 70 exhibitors offer food and drink samplings for three hours of fun. Wear elastic and appraise tastes from Italy and France to Mexico and China. There will be live entertainment from the Arlingtones barbershop choir and piano music to accompany the lip smacking and wine sipping. Lynfred Winery conducts a Wine 101 demonstration and be sure to bring some nonperishable food donations to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Get ideas about where to hold your special events and places you'd like to dine in the Northwest suburbs as the culinary festival showcases area restaurants, hotels and local businesses.

5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at Arlington Park, Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road in Arlington Heights. Individual tickets $35 the day of the event or $30 purchased in advance. Parking is free. Call (847) 490-1010 or visit ChefsFest.com.

Worth the trip

If you used to have a fear of hurdles, but got over it, you'll love the 331/3 Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships. Puns are celebrated with lots of live music, Texas BBQ, a vintage book and vinyl sale and participants hashing it out in timed contests like "punniest of the show" and "punslingers," a rapid-fire exchange of puns between contestants, until one is left speechless. Since 1977, punsters from around the world have gathered in Brush Square Park, behind the O. Henry Museum to entertain thousands in wordplay wars.

Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 23, at the O. Henry Museum, 409 East Fifth St., Austin, Texas. Free admission. Call (512) 472-1903 or visit punpunpun.com.