On the road: AirVenture to land in Oshkosh
Chicago
Winning at Wrigley
There hasn’t been much to celebrate within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field for more than 100 years, but outside the stadium things just keep rocking and rolling along. The 11th annual Wrigleyville Summerfest serves up plenty of food and beverages from local eateries, music courtesy of Chicago bands and a kids zone with interactive games and family-friendly activities. Enjoy the live tunes of Hairbanger’s Ball, Hey Jimmy and Too White Crew. Come by on Sunday and worship in the middle of Seminary Street and listen to a live choir, which will perform during a free Gospel Brunch
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at 3300 N. Seminary, Chicago. Admission is $5. (773) 665-4682 or wrigleyvillesummerfest.com.
Edge Fest
This relatively new festival in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood will include live music on two stages, wares from more than 40 local artists and food from neighborhood eateries. This year Edge Fest’s focus is bacon, so expect lots of goodies highlighting crispy pork.
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at 5900 N. Broadway, Chicago. Admission is $5. Call (773) 665-4682 or starevents.com/festivals/edge-fest.
Midwest
How bratty
Sheboygan, Wis., on the shores of Lake Michigan, is wienie heaven during Brat Days. Expect wall-to-wall free musical performances, a carnival to thrill the kids, crafts, shopping and a variety of beer to wash down the brats and tons of other specialty items available in the Bratxotic food tent. Watch or enter the Brat Eating contest with a grand prize of $1,000 and a year’s supply of Johnsonville products.
4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1; 4 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2; and 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Kiwanis Park, Kiwanis Park Drive and North 17th Street, Sheboygan. Free admission. Food and beverage tickets are 10 for $5. brat-days.com.
Eat and greet
Indiana Landmarks Farm-to-Fork Feast features views, history and the edible creations by chef Daniel Orr. The event includes a tour of the historic Civil War-era Ben Owens Farmstead in the Maple Grove Road Rural Historic District. Artists will be painting landscapes and buildings on-site. The main event takes place among the grapevines of Oliver Winery’s Creekbend Vineyard on a hilltop overlooking the Bean Blossom Creek Valley. A family-style dinner will feature a menu crafted with produce and meats from the chef’s family farm.
5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Oliver Winery’s Creekbend Vineyard, 7508 N. Woodall Road, Ellettsville, Ind. Cost is $65 per person, and reservations are required. (812) 232-4534 or farmtoforkfeast.eventbrite.com
Oshkosh air show
AirVenture 2013, a weeklong event held in Oshkosh, Wis., is the world’s largest fly-in and boasts scads of activities to amaze and entertain. The band Chicago rocks opening night. There also will be a special screening of the new Disney film “Planes,” air show performers and a rare nighttime air show. Aircraft from around the world will be on hand. Kids can earn loggable flight instruction on a simulator, earn FAA credit toward an A&P certificate through hands-on building projects and learn how to fly a radio-controlled airplane.
Monday, July 29, through Sunday, Aug. 4, at the EAA Aviation Center, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, Wis. Tickets cost $43 for adults, $32 for veterans or active military, $22 for students (6-18 years old), free for kids 5 and younger. (920) 426-4800 or www.airventure.org.