Midwest travel: Family Fun Fest returns to Chicago's Millennium Park
Chicago
Summer in the city
Thanks to the return of the Family Fun Festival, every trip downtown is a no-brainer with kids in tow. Enjoy the eye-popping architecture of Millennium Park, then stay to take part in all of the hands-on activities and performances that the Family Fun Festival has to offer every day - for free. Peek in the tent to get in on singing and musical games, arts and crafts, live performances and activities presented by the Lurie Garden, the Chicago History Museum and the Art Institute, among other Chicago institutions. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily from June 20-Aug. 21 in Millennium Park, under the tent at Chase Promenade North, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Free. (312) 744-3315 or cityofchicago.org.
What's the password?
Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel invites guests and locals to a fun event in a speak-easy setting. Expect 1920s-themed cocktails and live entertainment from the Kurt Lubbe Trio in the historic Barbershop, which was once a hangout for notorious gangsters. Enter via the back alley rumored to have been one of Al Capone's hidden passageways. You'll have to share a secret password for entry (hint: the password will be mentioned on the hotel's blog at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 15). Post a photo during the event on social channels tagging the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel and using the hashtags #renhotels and #DayofDiscovery and you'll be entered for a chance to win an overnight stay (blackout dates apply). 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, Barbershop, 636 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 447-0955 or blackstonerenaissance.com/.
Do Lakeview Live!
There's a new outdoor concert series coming to the Lakeview neighborhood featuring live music from Chicago musicians, craft beer and local food. Lakeview Live!, taking place on three Thursday nights this summer, offers free concerts open to all ages. Attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the show. Also, shops will be offering special promotions and giveaways at the events and in storefronts along Lincoln Avenue and Paulina Street. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18 on Paulina Street, between Roscoe and Henderson, Chicago. www.concertsonthecurb.com.
Midwest
Sweet and sauer
The Kraut Music Fest returns to the Racine, Wisconsin, area celebrating sauerkraut with Kraut Queen and Kraut Princess competitions and the not-to-miss kraut-eating contest. In addition to vats of kraut, the fest focuses on music plus food, carnival rides and family activities. Evening headliners include Candlebox, Firehouse, Bella Cain and Modern Day Romeos. Bring lawn chairs and blankets as seating is limited. 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 16; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, June 17; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 18; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, in Caledonia-Mount Pleasant Memorial Park, 9416 Northwestern Ave. (Hwy. K), Franksville, Wisconsin. General admission is $10, free for kids 10 and younger; parking is $5. Dads get in free on Father's Day when accompanied by kids. For tickets and details, visit krautmusicfest.com/.
Berry, berry good to you
Summer Fest, a revamped version of the Long Grove Strawberry Fest, includes live bands, art, shopping, family activities, food and plenty of strawberries. Downtown streets will be closed to traffic so visitors can enjoy three stages of nonstop tunes and an assortment of summer barbecue and fruity summer treats from an anticipated 70-plus vendors. A Kid Zone will offer carnival rides, arts and crafts and DIY gardening demos as well as family competitions, such as three-legged races, potato sack sprints, tug-o-wars and water balloon tosses. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, June 24; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 25; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission is $5 per day, free for kids 12 and younger. Free admission for all from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Free parking in all public lots. visitlonggrove.com.
Airy tunes
This year marks the 16th annual Music By The Lake outdoor entertainment series on summer weekends in the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, area. The lineup includes Broadway music for show tune fans, classical performances, pop vocalists and interactive family shows. See Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees, the Lake Geneva Symphony and the Chicago Philharmonic, among others. All performances occur rain or shine at the Ferro Pavilion overlooking Geneva Lake on the George Williams College Campus. June 26-Aug. 20 at George Williams College, 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Reserved seating in the pavilion is $15-$90; terrace seating is $45; lawn admission is $15-$25. For tickets and the schedule, call (262) 245-8501 or see musicbythelake.com/s/1512/musicfest/start.aspx.