Illinois
Feb. 13-14: Galesburg Historical Society Chocolate Festival. Satisfy your chocolate sweet tooth at this annual fest featuring chocolate-based candies, baked goods, beverages and more. http://tinyurl.com/z5wrs7x. Miles from Chicago: 200
Indiana
Feb. 14: 16th annual Old Post Bluegrass Jam, Vincennes. The Vincennes University Student Union heats up with bluegrass performances and the opportunity to join in jam sessions. Acoustic instruments only. 812-886-0400, http://tinyurl.com/huuld7v. Miles from Chicago: 240
Feb. 19-21: GeoFest, Indianapolis. The 14th Annual Indiana State Museum Fossil, Gem and Mineral Show is held at the Indiana State Museum. Vendors sell rocks, minerals, fossils and more, and the Professional Geologists of Indiana as well as other groups offer their expertise. http://tinyurl.com/z5tekuh. Miles from Chicago: 185
Iowa
Feb. 18-20: Daytrotter Downs, Davenport. Daytrotter, an independent music website, is bringing 25-30 new talents to town for this music festival. Advance ticket purchase is a must since shows are selling out. http://tinyurl.com/hlktw59. Miles from Chicago: 175
Michigan
Feb. 12-14: Meridian Winter Blast, Detroit. Campus Martius Park downtown is the place to be for winter fun. There will be a snow slide, skating rink, zip line, live music and food from local restaurants in the Taste of Detroit Tent. 313-963-8418, www.winterblast.com. Miles from Chicago: 285
Feb. 12-14: North American Vasa, Traverse City. This is the 40th year for this popular cross-country ski race. There are competitions for a variety of ages and skill levels and also Short’s Short Tour, a 7-mile course for those who want to ski but not race. www.vasa.org. Miles from Chicago: 320
Missouri
Through March 27: 2016 Orchid Show, St. Louis. Where Wild Things Grow is the theme for this year’s show at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Roughly 500 orchids will be displayed in their natural habitats. 800-642-8842, http://tinyurl.com/829m8vk. Miles from Chicago: 300
Minnesota
Feb. 18-21: International Eelpout Festival, Walker. For nearly 40 years, Leech Lake has been the focal point for this ice-fishing event in search of the bottom-dwelling eelpout. In addition to fishing there’s curling, auto ice racing, rugby, beer and food tents. www.eelpoutfestival.com. Miles from Chicago: 595
Ohio
Feb. 19-20: River City Blues Competition, Marietta. This is the 24th year for blues musicians from around the country to battle it out to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2017. They’ll be playing at the historic Lafayette Hotel. 740-373-5178, http://tinyurl.com/zsgw4wj. Miles from Chicago: 485
Wisconsin
Feb. 18-21: American Birkebeiner, Cable/Hayward. Billed as the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America, it attracts more than 10,000 skiers each year. The main course stretches more than 30 miles. 715-634-5025, www.birkie.com. Miles from Chicago: 420
Feb. 19-21: In Celebration of Chocolate, Kohler. There’s a chocolate wine dinner, but the demonstrations are a big draw. They range from ice-cream making to do-it-yourself chocolate sculptures. Tickets are available for individual events or you can purchase a hotel package. 855-444-2838, http://tinyurl.com/z34pdz4. Miles from Chicago: 145
Feb. 19-28: Beloit International Film Festival. The festival features nearly 200 films from around the world, including features, documentaries and shorts. Many of the filmmakers also are present. 608-312-4256, www.beloitfilmfest.org. Miles from Chicago: 95
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
