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Other stories in "Festivals"

• Great spring festivals
  It's a good time to indulge in brews, birding and blooms.
• Great winter festivals
  Enjoy the chilly season with snow sculptures, ice castles, sleigh rides and lots of hot chocolate.
• Great fall festivals
  Here are the best of the fests in 2010.
• Big apples
  In Bayfield, a fall festival has grown to jumbo proportions.
• Celebrating roots
  No matter where you're from, there's a festival for you.
• Critter races
  In Minnesota resort towns, creatures great and small run for the money.
• Great holiday festivals
  In November and December, check out Santa, Scrooge and shopping markets.
• Toasting Oktoberfest
  Festive tributes to Bavarian tradition put the oompah into fall.
• A German Mardi Gras
  At New Ulm's Bock Fest, the good times roll in on a tide of beer.
• Owl aboard
  In southeast Minnesota, a live-wire named Alice is the star of a late-winter festival.
• Birding in spring
  When the birds return, festivals follow.
• Waking the dragon
  A sport inspired by ancient Chinese legend takes off on local waters.
• Tulip Time in Pella
  In central Iowa, the Dutch celebrate colorful origins.
• A feast of festivals
  At small-town shindigs, get your fill of strawberries and sauerkraut, kolacky and sweet corn.
• Home of the eelpout
  In February, a Minnesota fishing town lets loose.
• Polish for a day
  At Milwaukee's lakefront festivals, visitors get a big helping of another culture.
• The coolest days of winter
  Ditch the indoors to watch ski-jumpers, dog-mushers and snow-sculptors.
• Horror around the corner
  Spoiling for a fright? In October, ghouls lurk at historic forts, boats, mills and lighthouses.
• Jolly Cedarburg
  In southeastern Wisconsin, a historic village has perfected the art of the party.
• Cozying up to the Cornish
  A fall festival honors the miners who left their mark on Mineral Point.
• Great grape stomps
  At harvest festivals, compete with your feet.
• Bash on a bike trail
  Kick up your wheels at a small-town fall festival.
• Everyone loves a parade
  When a town marches, its entire history unrolls before your eyes.
• Agate stampede
  Every year, Moose Lake introduces budding rockhounds to the thrill of the hunt.
• Dancing on the Yellow Medicine
  In history-filled river valley, a wacipi celebrates Dakota culture.
• Nordic nirvana
  Every July, Decorah puts on one of the best fests in the Midwest.

Great summer festivals

Here are the best of the fests in the Upper Midwest.

When summer comes, there's no time to waste.

Everyone is throwing a party, and you're invited. 

For even more festivals, see Celebrating roots, a comprehensive list of ethnic festivals. For great places to pig out, see A feast of festivals. For outdoor art fairs, see Art al fresco. For dragon-boat festivals, see Waking the dragon. For beer festivals, see Best brew fests.

For events year-round, see the Events Calendar.

Here are some of the best in 2010. Always check before you go to verify dates and to make sure you catch the best parts of a festival, especially the parades.

Memorial Day weekend

BobFest in Spring Green, Wis. The Spring Green General Store in this artistic town on the Wisconsin River celebrates Bob Dylan's 69th birthday with free outdoor music from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 30. For more, see Wisconsin's birthday town.

Dylan Days in Hibbing, Minn. Bob's hometown celebrates with a film festival, singer-songwriter contest, jam session at Zimmy's and a Bobby Zimmerman bus tour. May 27-30.

Awake the Lakes and Heritage Fest in Alexandria, Minn. This western-Minnesota resort town will have a carnival, Rib Fest Cook-Off, fireworks, car show, fishing contests, World Paddleboat Challenge, concert and, on Memorial Day, a parade.

ChocolateFest in Burlington, Wis. This big festival in southeast Wisconsin features a battle of the chefs, a geocache treasure hunt, Project Yum-way candy-wrapper design contest and Chocolate Olympics, plus a crafts fair and carnival. May 28-31.

Memorial Day Powwow at the Mille Lacs Museum and Trading Post on the west side of Lake Mille Lacs in north-central Minnesota.

World's Largest Brat Fest, Madison, Wis. It's a music festival featuring the world's largest touring grill (a Johnsonville semi that can cook 750 brats at a time), the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile and brats; 208,752 were served in 2009.

There are also carnival rides and a Cut the Mustard high-school band competition. Admission is free. Outside the Alliant Energy Center. May 28-31.

Grand Marais Jazz Festival on Minnesota's North Shore. Tofte, Lutsen and Grand Marais will be venues for concerts plus jazz brunches and dinners. May 28-30.

Festival of Nature in Wisconsin's Door County. Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor hosts this annual festival, with field trips and programs on wildflowers, birds, trees and insects held around the peninsula.

Blues Bash in Trempealeau, Wis. Blues musicians from around the region play in the yard of the Trempealeau Hotel, on the banks of the Mississippi. May 29.

Kite Festival in Thunder Bay, Ont. Kite clubs from around the region will converge on Chippewa Park, on Lake Superior on the south edge of town.

First weekend in June

Buffalo Days in Luverne, Minn. This festival in the southwest corner of Minnesota features a cow-chip throwing contest, fire-truck ladder rides, duck races, an arts show and a big parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.

At nearby Blue Mounds State Park, admission is free on Sunday and free bison sandwiches are served from 11:30 a.m. until they're gone. June 4-6.

Pirate Festival in Port Washington, Wis. The festival in this Lake Michigan town north of Milwaukee (motto: "We love the smell of black powder in the morning'') includes a pirate invasion, cruises on the pirate schooner Windy, Saturday-night fireworks and a parade at noon Sunday. June 4-6.

Grand Old Day in St. Paul. When the weather's nice, crowds turn out for this street fair, during which Grand Avenue is divided into "districts'': entertainment, family fun, sporting, international and art. June 6.

Street Faire at the Lakes in Detroit Lakes, Minn. This western-Minnesota lake town knows what works: a juried arts show with music, fair food and a beer garden. June 4-5.

Gospel Festival in Chicago. The big summer festival season begins with this musical celebration in Millennium Park, Chicago's new favorite place. Admission is free. June 5-6.

Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, Minn. The festival in this southeast Minnesota hamlet is young but already beloved. There’s a Rhubarb Olympics, featuring the Rhubarb Stalk Throw and Green Eggs and Rhubarb, and a Rhubarb Rant Speakers Corner for opinionated folks. The Rhubarb Sisters will entertain. It's 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Sylvan Park. June 5.

Tour de Pepin from Lake City, Minn. This is an ingenious bike tour: Ride 72 miles around Lake Pepin, ride 32 miles and take the Pearl of the Lake paddlewheeler back, or ride 15 miles and return by bus. June 5.

National Trails Day around the region. Check for events near you. June 5.

Second weekend in June

Blues Festival in Chicago. This is the largest of Chicago's free music festivals, drawing 750,000 people to Grant Park. June 11-13.

Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island, Mich. Most of the events of this festival charge a fee, except for the closing-day grand parade, but the island really is gorgeous when its lilacs are blooming. June 11-20.

Irish Festival in Oshkosh, Wis. This festival in Riverside Park on the Fox River includes Irish music, food and dancing. June 11-13.

Butterfest in Sparta, Wis. There's the usual arts and crafts show, flea market and carnival but also a strongman contest, belly-dancing demonstrations, ventriloquism, a milking contest and butter-making demonstrations. The big parade is Sunday. June 10-13.

Stãmman Scandinavian Folk Festival in Nisswa, Minn. This festival in the Brainerd Lakes area features visiting musicians from Denmark, Sweden and Norway as well as many North American folk musicians. June 11-12.

Windsurfing Regatta and Unvarnished Music Festival in Worthington, Minn. This southern Minnesota town is a windsurfing hot spot and hosts the U.S. National Windsurfing Championships on Lake Okabena. There's an arts festival, too. June 11-13.

Steel Bridge SongFest in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Jane Wiedlin, Louise Goffin and 150 other musicians perform to benefit this town's historic canal bridge. June 10-13.

Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Ill. This town, which has statues of Lois Lane as well as Superman, holds a superhero costume contest, bike ride, game show and strength competitions. There will be many Superman sightings.

Gothic Days in Eldon, Iowa. There's a parade, craft show, bike tour and kids' games in this southeast Iowa town, but many go to pose with a pitchfork in front of the house Grant Wood made famous in "American Gothic.'' June 11-13.

Southwest Iowa Barn Tour, features restored historic barns and picnic in the Loess Hills. June 12-13.

Lighthouse Walk in Door County, Wis. The Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay offers tours of the peninsula's 10 lighthouses by foot, boat, trolley and minibus. Tickets go on sale April 1; some tours sell out quickly. June 11-13.

Judy Garland Festival in Minneapolis. After 34 years of making the annual pilgrimage to Grand Rapids, Minn., where Garland lived until she was 4, fans and original Munchkin Jerry Maren will gather in Minneapolis this year. June 10-12.

Third weekend in June

Fyr Bal Festival in Ephraim, Wis. It's the 46th annual Scandinavian midsummer festival in this Door County village. There's a regatta, historic walking tours, art fair, trolley rides, cake walk and, of course, a fish boil. The Fur Ball pet parade begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. June 18-20.

Bridgefest in Houghton and Hancock, Mich. There's a cardboard-boat regatta, water-ski show, seafood fest, rubber ducky derby and a 7 p.m. Friday parade in Hancock, linked to Houghton by the Keweenaw Peninsula's massive Portage Lift Bridge. June 18-20.

Stone Arch Festival of the Artsin Minneapolis. This festival around the scenic Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi features more than 250 jury-chosen artists and musicians on five stages. June 19-20.

Steamboat Days in Winona, Minn. The main event is the 12:31 p.m. Sunday parade, one of the region's largest. There's also a carnival, craft show, power-boat races and car show. June 16-21. For more, see Afloat in Winona.

Polish Fest in Milwaukee. This big festival on the lakefront features lots of rollicking, zydeco-laced polka and hearty food. Just down the shoreline at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Lakefront Festival of Arts brings in many of the region's best artists. June 18-20. For more, see Polish for a day.

Midsummer Fest at Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center in Coon Valley, Wis. This family festival in the coulees near La Crosse features the best of Scandinavian culture: food, music and crafts. For children, there will be a visit from the trolls by the bridge, fjord horses and a scavenger hunt. June 19-20.

Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minn. The harbor-side folk school on Lake Superior kicks off summer with food, dancing and displays. June 18-20.

Great Galena Balloon Race in Galena, Ill. Eagle Ridge Resort hosts two balloon races, two night glows and rides for the public. An Alefest Friday includes tastings of more than 100 beers. June 18-20.

Fourth weekend in June

River Rendezvous in Manitowoc, Wis. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum celebrates 40 years with a torchlight canoe flotilla Friday, free admission Saturday and fur-trade re-enactors, voyageur canoe rides and an art show.

Musky Fest in Hayward, Wis. A carnival, crafts, ice cream-eating contest and lots of festivities downtown, capped by the 1:30 p.m. Sunday parade. June 24-27.

Engineers Day, Tugboat Parade and Races and International Bridge Walk in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. It's the biggest week of the year at the Soo Locks. Friday is the Engineers Day open house (people can walk across the locks).

Saturday is the 2.8-mile International Bridge Walk to Canada. There's a tugboat parade and races. For more, see Locking through the Soo. June 25-26.

Water Ski Days in Lake City, Minn. A parade at 2 p.m. Sunday winds up this festival on Lake Pepin, where water-skiing was invented. June 25-27.

Summerfest in Milwaukee. They call this the world's largest music festival. Big-name musicians perform on 11 stages along Lake Michigan. June 24-July 4.

Taste of Chicago. There's free big-name concerts and non-stop family activities as well as cooking demonstrations and food from more than 65 restaurants at this huge festival in Grant Park. June 25-July 4.

Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg, Wis. During this popular event in an old mill town north of Milwaukee, you can get strawberries in everything — brats, wine, slush. June 26-27. For more, see Jolly Cedarburg.

Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn. The motto of this large cultural festival is "You have a date to play Nordic.'' It's based at Moorhead's Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, known for its full-size re-created Viking ship that crossed the Atlantic in 1982. June 25-27.

Heidi Festival in New Glarus, Wis. Performances based on the children's book are featured in this heavily Swiss town near Madison, where nearly every building is a chalet. Saturday is Taste of New Glarus. June 25-27.

Trekfest in Riverside, Iowa. This village just south of Iowa City calls itself the "future birthplace of Capt. James T. Kirk.'' "Star Trek'' actors Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei will appear on a Star Trek float in the 10 a.m. Saturday parade.

Gathering of Elizabeths in Elizabeth, Ill. Women named Elizabeth figured prominently in the history of this town, 15 minutes east of Galena, so every year it honors them and tries to set a world record. For more, see Calling all Elizabeths.

First weekend in July

You won't have to look far for fireworks and festivities over the Fourth of July weekend.

But for an old-fashioned celebration, go to Madeline Island in Wisconsin for A Day on the Green. At 10:30 a.m., there's a home-grown parade that ends with historical figures giving patriotic speeches at the museum. An art fair, barbecue and fireworks follow. July 4.

Near Milwaukee, an Old World Fourth of July includes a band concert, old-fashioned games and visits with re-enactors who portray the role of African-American soldiers in the Civil War at Old World Wisconsin, a large open-air heritage site. July 4.

Duluth claims to have the Minnesota's largest fireworks show, part of Fourth Fest in Bayfront Festival park. Watch from Skyline Parkway. July 4.

The Fourth also is a big weekend for powwows: at Red Cliff near Bayfield, the Red Lake Nation in northwest Minnesota, the Oneida Nation near Green Bay and in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., where the Sault Tribe holds a contest powwow. Grand entries generally are at 1 and 7 p.m. For more, see Powwow primer.

Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle, Ill. This large festival on the west edge of Chicago features a carnival, craft fair and daily hot-air balloon launches and fireworks shows. July 2-4.

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Mich. This town on Lake Michigan calls itself the Cherry Capital of the World and attracts half a million people to events that include many pie-eating and pit-spitting contests and the Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. July 3-10.

Second weekend in July

Bastille Days in Milwaukee. Look for minstrels, beignets, French lessons and a 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower in Cathedral Square Park. July 8-11.

Winnipeg Folk Festival in Winnipeg. For many people, this easy-going, family-friendly festival is the highlight of summer. Many camp on-site at Birds Hill Provincial Park. July 8-11.

Heart of the North Rodeo in Spooner, Wis. Look for the four R's in this western Wisconsin town: roping, bull riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing. A parade will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. July 8-10.

Blues Festival in Thunder Bay, Ont. This festival has a scenic location in Marina Park, on the Lake Superior waterfront. July 9-11.

Art Fair on the Square and Art Fair Off the Square in Madison. Nearly 500 artists from around the nation will be selling on Capitol Square and 140 Wisconsin artists around Monona Terrace, attracting more than 200,000 people. July 10-11.

Great Rendezvous at Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay. This is the big event of the year at North America's largest fur post, with a canoe brigade of more than 150 paddlers from across Canada arriving Saturday.

Wacipi at the Prairie Island Indian Community near Red Wing, Minn. This Dakota powwow is a competition, so expect lots of flashy dancing. Grand entries are at 1 and 7 p.m.

Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in Walnut Grove, Minn. The festival in this western Minnesota town revolves around the book "On the Banks of Plum Creek.'' July 9-10, continuing 16-17 and 23-24. For more, see Little pageants on the prairie.

Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in De Smet, S.D. The outdoor pageant in this eastern South Dakota town, the setting for most of the "Little House'' books, is based on "The Long Winter'' this year. July 9-11, continuing July 16-18 and 23-25.

Karl Oskar Days in Lindström, Minn. This festival honors the fictional heroes of Vilhelm Moberg's "Emigrants'' novels. There's a Snuff Box treasure hunt, tug of war, 6 p.m. Saturday parade and 6 p.m. Sunday water-ski show and fireworks.

Phelps Mill Festival east of Fergus Falls, Minn. There's a juried arts and crafts fair, children's activities and music in this bucolic, tucked-away park along the Otter Tail River, next to an 1889 brick and clapboard mill that's open for tours. The hamlet of Phelps is just west of Otter Tail Lake and north of Underwood. For more, see Otter trail country.

Third weekend in July

Agate Days in Moose Lake, Minn. See the beautiful stones on display, then dig for them at 2 p.m. Saturday during the Agate Stampede, when a load of rocks seeded with 350 pounds agates and $300 in quarters is dumped downtown. Kids get first crack.  For more, see Agate stampede.

German Festival in Cedarburg, Wis. This festival just north of Milwaukee features music and food plus goofy contests: outhouse-racing, wife-carrying, sauerkraut-eating and a German spelling bee. July 17-18.

Aquatennial in Minneapolis. Highlights are the Nicollet Mall block party, Lake Calhoun milk-carton boat races, Hennepin Avenue Torchlight Parade and Mississippi River fireworks show. July 16-24.

Stockholm Art Fair in Stockholm, Wis. This hamlet on Lake Pepin becomes a shopping mecca. July 17. For more, see Destination: Stockholm.

Bavarian Blast in New Ulm, Minn. "Das Fest Mit Fun'' features German music, food and beer at the Brown County Fair Grounds in this Minnesota River Valley town. The big parade is Sunday. July 16-18.

Twin-O-Rama in Cassville, Wis. Twins (and triplets and so forth) are honored in this Mississippi River town. There's music, food, carnival rides and a parade at 11 a.m. Sunday. July 16-18.

Woodstock Folk Festival in Woodstock, Ill. Music on the square in this town not far over the Wisconsin border from Lake Geneva. July 18.

Tall Ship Celebration in Bay City, Mich. This town on Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay will host many Great Lakes schooners and sloops that visitors can tour. There's also a Maritime Music Festival, arts and crafts, vintage baseball, pirates and storytellers. July 15-18.

Fourth weekend in July

Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa. Ole and Lena host this friendly, authentic, very fun and very large festival of Scandinavian culture. The parade, one of the region's best, is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.  July 22-24. For more, see Nordic nirvana.

Three lakeside festivals in Clear Lake, Iowa. They're all in the pretty City Park of this northern Iowa town: Iowa Storytelling Festival (Friday-Saturday), Art Sail juried show (Saturday) and DixieFest (Saturday-Sunday).

Kickapoo Country Fair in La Farge, Wis. The festival in this hotbed of sustainable living features music, food, children's activities and workshops. July 24-25.

Lumberjack Days in Stillwater, Minn. This massive festival takes over the pretty St. Croix River town with lumberjack and dog shows and big musical acts. The big parade is 1 p.m. Sunday. July 22-25.

Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Ind. This suburb of Chicago exalts the plump Eastern European dumplings, filled with cheese, mashed potatoes or sauerkraut, with pierogi eating and tossing contests, a Mr. Pierogi songfest and a Polka Parade at 7 p.m. Friday. July 23-25.

Waterama in Glenwood, Minn. This festival on the shores of Lake Minnewaska is famous for its lighted pontoon parade, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by fireworks. At 1 p.m. Sunday, there's a parade on land, followed by a 3:30 p.m. water-ski show. June 19-25.

Blueberry Arts Festival in Ely, Minn., Music, food and fun in the gateway to the Boundary Waters. July 23-25.

North Star Stampede in Effie, Minn. The rodeo in this town of 90 is a good excuse to explore the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, which winds through Chippewa National Forest north of Grand Rapids. July 23-25.

Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wis. You can't see this kind of thing just anywhere: cut-throat log rolling, boom running, springboard chopping and speed climbing in competitions between the best modern-day jacks and jills. July 23-25. For more, see Hayward's lumberjacks.

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport, Iowa. Since 1972, fans of this Jazz Age cornetist and composer have held this festival in his hometown on the Mississippi. July 22-25.

Great Folle Avoine Fur Trade Rendezvous near Danbury, Wis. Re-enactors will occupy the banks of the Yellow River at this re-created North West Co. fur post.

RAGBRAI, the Register's Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. The cross-Iowa bike ride is July 25-31.

TRAM Ride. This year's bicycle tour, sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of the MS Society goes through lakes country, starting in Alexandria and continuing through Little Falls, Pequot Lakes, Wadena and Fergus Falls. July 25-30.

Last weekend July-First weekend in August

Folklorama in Winnipeg. This Manitoba prairie town celebrates its heritage with pavilions representing 44 nationalities, offering music, dance and food at many venues. Aug. 1-14.

Tall Ships Duluth 2010. A fleet of international sailing vessels will arrive on the only Lake Superior port of call on the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010.There will be a pirate school for kids, tours Friday-Sunday and day sails Friday-Monday; reserve early. July 29-Aug. 2.

Festival of Arts in Bayfield, Wis. There are few settings better for browsing than this village on Lake Superior. On Saturday, Bayfield artists hold a Gallery Walk. July 31-Aug. 1.

Taste of Dorset in Dorset, Minn. Ride the Heartland State Trail to this tiny "burp in the road'' near Park Rapids, then eat your way down the street. And don't forget to vote (or run) for mayor. Food is served 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1. For more, see The dish on Dorset.

Boundary Waters Blues Festival in Ely, Minn. Hear the blues performed in a beautiful north-woods setting on Miners Lake. July 29-Aug. 1.

National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa. This giant hot-air balloon festival includes daily flights, rides for the public, music, night glows, fireworks and a parade. July 30-Aug. 7.

Second weekend in August

Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis. This large art fair in the Uptown neighborhood draws crowds. Aug. 6-8.

Swissfest in Berne, Minn. This southern Minnesota hamlet near Pine Island puts on an Old World festival, with Swiss guests to yodel and demonstrate such crafts as Scherenschnitte, or scissor cutting. Aug. 7-8.

Brat Days in Sheboygan, Wis. This town on Lake Michigan is sausage central. There's music, a carnival, beer and, of course, a brat-eating contest. The parade is Saturday. Aug. 5-7.

Powderhorn Art Fair and Loring Park Art Festival in Minneapolis. Powderhorn Park, in south Minneapolis, and Loring Park, on the edge of downtown, are not far from the Uptown Art Fair. All are easily reached by bus shuttle or by bicycle on the Midtown Greenway. Aug. 7-8.

Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, Wis. The fair in this Milwaukee suburb features lots of contests, including hog-calling, cookie-stacking and cream puff-eating. Aug. 5-15.

Fishermen's Picnic in Grand Marais, Minn. There's a lot going on at the North Shore's biggest festival, including loon-calling, log-rolling and rock-skipping contests; a boat parade Saturday; and the grand parade Sunday. Aug. 5-8.

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festivalin Richmond, Minn. This 30th annual family-friendly festival includes music on five stages and workshops at El Rancho Mañana Campground, 20 miles west of St. Cloud.

Fish Days in Lansing, Iowa. This village in northeast Iowa has one of the most picturesque settings on the Mississippi River. There will be train and pony rides, river cruises, Saturday-night fireworks and a parade Sunday. 

Buffalo Bill Days in Lanesboro, Minn. Ride the Root River State Trail then enjoy music, games and food in this bluff-country burg. Parade is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Aug. 6-8.

Pie Day in Braham, Minn. Minnesota's official Pie Capital near Cambridge holds pie-eating contests, a pie trivia contest and performances of the Pie-Alleuia Chorus. Aug. 6.

River City Days in Red Wing, Minn. In this Mississippi River town, there's music, food and games in Bay Point Park and an arts show in Levee Park. There's a Venetian boat parade at dusk Saturday and the grand parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. Aug. 6-8.

Nautical Festival in Rogers City, Mich. The festival in this Lake Huron town, not far from the Straits of Mackinac, features tours and cruises on the armed sloop Welcome, a replica of a boat built in 1774 by a Fort Michilimackinac merchant. There's also a voyageur encampment, a Saturday powwow of the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa and a grand parade at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Third weekend in August

Grand Portage Rendezvous and Powwow in Grand Portage, Minn. Re-enactors from across the continent gather at Grand Portage National Monument for the annual fur-trade rendezvous; next door, the  Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa holds a powwow. Reserve lodgings far in advance. Aug. 13-15.

Tall Ship Festival in Green Bay, Wis. A fleet of international sailing vessels will arrive on the only Wisconsin port of call on the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010. Tickets go on sale May 10 for tours and day sails; reserve early. Aug. 13-15.

Air & Water Show in Chicago. The 51st annual free show from North Avenue Beach features the Thunderbirds, Golden Knights and Leap Frogs, with aerobatics, extreme flying, wave riding, water-skiing and wakeboarding. Aug. 14-15.

Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. See a diaper derby, outhouse races and mullet contest, and don't miss the butter sculptures. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson will lead the parade through downtown Des Moines at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 12. Aug. 12-22. 

Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth. The 22nd annual music fest on the Lake Superior harbor showcases national and regional acts on three stages. Aug. 13-15.

Irish Fair on Harriet Island in St. Paul, Minn. This big heritage fest on the banks of the Mississippi includes an Irish Fair Idol contest, tugs of war, sheep-herding demonstrations, ceili classes, children's games and lots of music. Aug. 13-15.

Bud Billiken Parade & Picnic in Chicago. It's the 81st year for this big parade on the South Side, which draws 75,000 participants and 1.5 million spectators. Aug. 14.

Tug Fest between LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Ill. The two towns stretch a 680-pound, 2,400-foot rope across the Mississippi River for the ultimate tug of war. (Over 23 years, the score is Illinois 13, Iowa 10.) There's also a parade, fireworks, children's games, concerts and carnival rides. Aug. 12-14.

West Bend Cache Ba$h in West Bend, Wis. This town north of Milwaukee, which calls itself the Geocache Capital of the Midwest, hides 50 new caches and gives away $1,000 in cash prizes. Aug. 13-15.

Fourth weekend in August

Twin Cities Polish Festival in Minneapolis. The celebration of Polish culture is back on the St. Anthony Main riverfront across from downtown, with music, art, food and free polka lessons. Aug. 21-22.

Venetian Festival in Lake Geneva, Wis. In this southeast Wisconsin vacation area, the festival includes a carnival, arts and crafts fair, firefighter water fight and, on Sunday, a 6 p.m. water-ski show followed by a lighted boat parade and fireworks. Aug. 18-22.

Maritime Heritage Festivalin Port Washington, Wis. Four tall ships hold a Parade of Sail to start this Lake Michigan festival, and then are open for tours and day sails. This year, they're the Red Witch from Chicago, the Denis Sullivan from Milwaukee, the Friends Good Will from South Haven, Mich., and the Madeline from Traverse City, Mich. There's a fireworks show Saturday.

Irish Fest in Milwaukee. The nation's largest Irish festival features more than 300 entertainers on 17 stages, plus children's activities and demonstrations by Irish dog breeds. In Henry Maier Festival Park. Aug. 19-22.

Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee. Mexican music, dance and a rodeo at the Henry Maier festival park on Lake Michigan. Aug. 20-22.

Oronoco Gold Rushin Oronoco, Minn. The antiques show and flea market in this friendly little village just north of Rochester off U.S. 52 includes more than 400 vendors and 1,200 booths. There's also pancakes for breakfast, homemade pie and music. Aug. 20-22. For more, see Oronoco's Gold Rush.

Africa Fest in Madison. There will be music, dance, poetry and stories in Warner Park.

Mackinac Island Fudge Festival, Mackinac Island, Mich. Besides fudge, there will be hiking and biking tours, music, dance and extreme kite flying. Aug. 20-21.

Last weekend in August

Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior, Wis. The festival on Barker's Island begins Friday with a parade of teams, fireworks and a concert and continues Saturday with races in the harbor and family entertainment. Aug. 27-28. For more, see Waking the dragon.

Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. It's the annual extravaganza of competitions, concerts, carnival rides and food on a stick. Aug. 26-Sept. 6.

Tall Ships Chicago. A fleet of international sailing vessels will arrive at Navy Pier for the only Illinois port of call on the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010. There will be tours and day sails; reserve early. Aug. 24-29.

Porcupine Mountains Music Festival in Silver City, Mich. Few settings are more beautiful than Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on Lake Superior; more than 30 national and regional blues, folk and bluegrass acts will perform.

Potato Days in Barnesville, Minn. This goofy central-Minnesota festival features mashed-potato sculpting, potato scramble, potato car races, lefse cook-off, a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head contest, french-fry feed, peeling and eating contests and a 5:30 p.m. Saturday parade. Aug. 27-28.

Artstreet in Green Bay, Wis. Artists, performers and craft and food stands fill streets downtown near the Fox River. Aug. 27-29.

Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah in Henderson, Minn. See hummingbirds and meet experts in the Hummingbird Capital of Minnesota and the Midwest.

Labor Day weekend

Mackinac Bridge Walk across Michigan's Mackinac Straits. Once a year, on Labor Day, people can walk across the five-mile span, the third-longest suspension bridge in the world. Sept. 6.

Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw in Prairie du Sac, Wis. There's chip-chucking contests in this Wisconsin River town, but also music, kids' games and an arts and crafts fair. The Tournament of Chips parade is at noon Saturday.

Wilhelm Tell Festival in New Glarus, Wis. This Swiss town near Madison has been putting on an outdoor William Tell pageant, with one performance in German, since 1938. A children's lantern parade is on Friday, and festivities include yodeling, an arts show and ethnic fashions. Sept. 3-5. For more, see Swiss at heart.

Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, Minn. Revel in the past during this show of antique machinery, which includes rides on trains and a carousel, square dancing, roving musicians and nightly jamborees.

Chicago Jazz Festival. This free Grant Park festival includes performances by big-name musicians. Sept. 4-5.

Riverblast in New Ulm, Minn. This festival in Riverside Park features free camping, a fishing contest, horse-drawn trolley rides, a bike tour, music and a river parade and flotilla at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Marquette Area Blues Fest in Marquette, Mich. Two days of music in Mattson Lower Harbor Park on Lake Superior.

On the Waterfront music festival in Rockford, Ill. More than 75 performers appear on five stages, and there's food from more than 50 booths.

Kites Over Lake Michigan in Two Rivers, Wis. Precision stunt team performances, free kite-making for kids and a Saturday night bonfire and release of sky lanterns. At Neshotah Beach.

Festival of Iowa Beers in Amana, Iowa. Sample craft beers at Millstream Brewing Co., Iowa's oldest microbrewery.

National Old Time Country Bluegrass Festival in LeMars, Iowa. More than 600 musicians perform on 10 stages in this town in northwest Iowa.

For the best events in autumn, see Great fall festivals.

Last updated on February 28, 2010