Midwest travel: Richardson Adventure Farm salutes 'Star Trek' in corn
Chicago
Made in the Windy City
A celebration of all of the great things being made in Chicago, the Andersonville City Made Fest features an array of Chicago-based musicians, brewers and artisans. Hear folk, blues, indie rock, hip-hop, world and Latin music, and enjoy a diverse roster of local beer and a Chicago-made artisan marketplace. Plus, the neighborhood is made up almost entirely of locally owned, independent businesses to browse. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18, on Clark Street between Argyle and Carmen, Chicago. Suggested donation is $5. (773) 728-2995 or andersonville.org/events/andersonville-city-made-fest/.
Foodie fantasy
Bon Appétit presents the ninth annual Chicago Gourmet taking place in Millennium Park. This year's celebration welcomes its first official host chef, Rick Bayless, who is joined by a well-known lineup of celebrity chefs including Todd English, Stephanie Izard, Jose Garces, Art Smith, Lorena Garcia, Jeff Mauro, Takashi Yagihashi, Tony Mantuano, Edward Lee and many more. Join in wine seminars, book signings and seminars like "The Art of Plating." And meet designers behind some of Chicago's most stunning restaurants, see art installations, wander Gourmet Pavilions, and attend the Hamburger Hop, The Tao of Tacos or the Grand Cru. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, at Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago. For pricing and tickets, see chicagogourmet.org/.
Midwest
Vulcan salute
This year, the corn maze at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of "Star Trek." Wander the trails of the 33-acre corn maze, which depicts the "Star Trek 50" logo, portraits of Capt. James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, the Starship Enterprise and various planets, asteroids, comets and stars. Peruse 16 acres of pumpkins, ranging from two pounds to 150 pounds in orange, white, blue, smooth and warty, to purchase and tote home. Bring the kids for 30 other activities including a 1950s carousel, a zip line, orb rides, paintball, a tube slide and concessions. Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Columbus Day, closed Monday and Tuesday, now through Oct. 30 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Admission is $16 for ages 13 and older, $13 for kids 4-12 and free for kids 3 and younger. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com/index.htm.
Start spreading the moos
The oldest and largest food fest in the Midwest (dating back to 1914), Green County Cheese Days, takes place in Green County, Wisconsin, which is home to the largest concentration of cheese makers in the country and the most certified Wisconsin Master Cheese makers in the state. After a short drive, you'll enjoy cheese-making demonstrations, live music, dairy farm tours, cheesy parades, an "udderly" entertaining cow-milking contest, barn quilt tours, cheesecake on a stick, deep-fried cheese curds and local beer. Don't miss accordion players, yodeling, alphorns, polka bands and street dancing, too. 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, in Monroe, Wisconsin. (800) 307-7208 or cheesedays.com/.
Double your fun
It's a double bill of fun in the Racine, Wisconsin, area next weekend. Sample from more than 400 beers, ciders and meads and rare and limited release beers at the Saturday. Visit a cider cellar, get a souvenir pint glass and watch the Kilties Drum & Bugle Corps perform. If beer isn't your cup of tea, head to Fall Harvest Days, which features vintage threshing, hay baling, sawmill, shingle mill and homemaking demonstrations. There are also indoor and outdoor flea markets, crafts, kids' activities and a daily tractor parade. Don't forget to enter the raffle for a chance to win prizes.
• Great Lakes Brew Festival: 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Racine Zoological Gardens, 200 Goold St., Racine, Wisconsin. $50 general admission, $17 designated driver; $89 VIP fest pass, VIP designated driver. See greatlakesbrewfest.com/main.html.
• Fall Harvest Days: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16-18, at the Racine County Fairgrounds, 19805 Durand Ave., Union Grove, Wisconsin. $7 adults; free for kids 12 and younger; free parking. (262) 878-3895 or fallharvestdays.com/.