Midwest travel: All directions meet at Albany Park's World Fest
Chicago
We are the World Fest
There may not be a neighborhood in the city that's more diverse than Albany Park (more than 70 languages are spoken there), which is why calling the event World Fest is perfect. Expect global music, out-of-the-ordinary cuisine and crafts and a carnival for the kids. Brazilian, East and West African, Arabic, Central American, Asian, Mexican and Eastern European music will waft through the air while exotic aromas attract you to the various food booths. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Lawrence and Kimball, Chicago. For details, see tinyurl.com/k6s5663.
Athena and Apollo approved
It's like a big, fat Greek wedding and you needn't bring a gift. Get in on the fun, food and dancing of the 26th annual Taste of Greektown held in Chicago's own Greek neighborhood. Browse crafts and goods from the Greek Isles, stroll the fine arts area, enjoy Greek bands and games for kids and families. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample food from the area's famous Greek restaurants including Artopolis, Athena Greek Restaurant, Parthenon, Greek Islands, 9 Muses Bar & Grill, Roditys, Santorini, Zeus and more. Count on gyros, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, seafood, sweets and pita filled with Greek delicacies. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, at 400 S. Halsted St., Chicago. Visit greektownchicago.org/.
Art full of soul
Now hitting the big 3-0, the Bucktown Arts Fest has matured into a premier gathering of hundreds of painters, sculptors, photographers, craftspeople, jewelry makers, musicians, actors, poets and dancers. That it takes place in what is considered one of the hippest neighborhoods in Chicago and has neither a gate, entry fee nor donation request are added bonuses. Bring the young artists for fast, fun make-and-take projects at the Kids Tent. Plus, don't miss the live main stage entertainment. There are food and beer vendors, but you might want to take the opportunity to try some of the neighborhood's au courant restaurants, too. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, in Holstein Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave., Chicago. Free. See bucktownartsfest.com/.
Midwest
Sol train
Three days of fun, food and celebration awaits as the Mexican Fiesta rolls into Milwaukee's Summerfest grounds. The event honors culture, tradition and family through Mexico's rich history, art, music and food. The Midwest's largest Hispanic festival features a Cultural Pavilion with more than 100 artisans displaying art work and merchandise from various Mexican states. Expect lots of entertainment from Latin America, soccer tournaments, midway rides, kids' activities, colorful folkloric dancers, cultural exhibits and authentic Mexican cuisine. Noon to midnight Friday through Sunday, Aug. 21-23, at Henry W. Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Adult presale tickets online cost $13 (for ages 9 and older); kids 8 and younger admitted free with an adult. (414) 383-7066 or see mexicanfiesta.org.
Quills and all
In the setting of the spectacular Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on Lake Superior, the 11th annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival features more national and regional blues, folk and bluegrass acts than you can shake a walking stick at. Expect music from top-class nationally touring artists, as well as up-and-coming regional artists including The Dead Pigeons, Wild Ponies, Ragbirds and Ruthie Foster. Located in the state's Upper Peninsula, the festival is held on the Ski Hill and Chalet Area. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 28-30, in Silver City, Michigan. A three-day pass costs $90; a one-day pass is $35; seniors (60 and older) and teens (13-17) get a 10 percent discount; $10 for kids 7-12. (906) 231-1589 or porkiesfestival.org/.
Corny but amazing
There are corn mazes, and then there's the country's largest at 30 acres (that would be around 25 football fields) at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. This year the main maze honors Chicago's hockey team with the Blackhawks' logo in the center, the Chicago skyline behind it, two hockey players and the word “Champions.” There's easy access to and from 11 miles of trails, and you can traverse between mazes on wooden bridges or climb the five-story observation tower to eyeball the whole thing. Even if you're not keen on doing the lab-rat activity, you can still try some of 30 other activities, including wagon rides, pig races or a park train that runs on real tracks. Private picnic sites and campfires are available by reservation. And there's lots of free parking. Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 29-Nov. 1 (plus Labor Day and Columbus Day), at Richardson Adventure Farm, 9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove. For details and activity pricing, see richardsonadventurefarm.com/.