Illinois
March 26-29: QCCA Flower & Garden Show, Rock Island. Over 20,000 square feet of display gardens, ponds and waterfalls, along with vendors and exhibits, bring hope that spring will soon arrive. There also will be music, food and a wine tasting. 309-788-5912, tinyurl.com/mg3h4yn. Miles from Chicago: 170
March 28-29: Toy Tractor Weekend, Bishop Hill. Local collectors display a variety of Deere, Case and International Harvester toy tractors and farm implements at the Steeple Building Museum. Items are not for sale. 309-927-3899, tinyurl.com/q9v6v69. Miles from Chicago: 165
April 9-19: Celebrating Peace in Union, Galena. A variety of events are scheduled to observe the sesquicentennial of Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who lived in Galena before and after the Civil War. Among the events are a lamplight tour of the Grant home and a Civil War band performance. 877-464-2536, tinyurl.com/obxgdbb. Miles from Chicago: 165
Indiana
March 28-July 19: Art Meets News: The Work of Photojournalist Bill Foley, Indianapolis. This exhibit at the Indiana State Museum presents more than 100 vintage prints of the Indianapolis native whose work earned him a Pulitzer Prize. Also on display will be cameras, press passes, passports and journals. 317-232-1637, tinyurl.com/oxbtluj. Miles from Chicago: 185
April 8-12: Vera Bradley Outlet Sale, Fort Wayne. They claim more than 60,000 people show up every year to find bargains on Vera Bradley handbags, luggage, stationary and accessories. Registration is required for all sessions and can be done online. tinyurl.com/mgmsoas. Miles from Chicago: 165
Iowa
April 10-11: Bluegrass Goes Pink, Iowa City. The Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa teams with the American Cancer Society for this festival that will feature six bands performing throughout the weekend. tinyurl.com/oydf3xu. Miles from Chicago: 225
Michigan
March 24-29: Ann Arbor Film Festival. More than 200 films from around the world will be shown, along with juror presentations and other special programs. 734-995-5356, aafilmfest.org. Miles from Chicago: 240
Missouri
Through May 10: International Photography Collaborative — China, St. Louis. This exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden displays photos taken by 10 photographers representing St. Louis at the 2014 Nanjing Federation of the Arts Festival. Images represent rural and urban life in China. 314-577-5100, tinyurl.com/qgawomk. Miles from Chicago: 300
Ohio
April 15-19: Cincinnati Flower Show. Lots of garden and floral exhibits along with lectures and seminars. There will also be vendors offering a variety of products. tinyurl.com/l5plbbo. Miles from Chicago: 300
Wisconsin
March 28-29: 15th Annual MapleFest, Amery. Get a tour to see how maple syrup is made — from tree tapping to boiling it down — and also enjoy free pancakes. 715-268-4702, glennafarms.com. Miles from Chicago: 390
April 9-12: Wheel & Sprocket Bike Expo, West Allis. Accessories and more than 2,000 bikes on sale, along with seminars and exhibits. 414-529-6600, tinyurl.com/l4dhbd7. Miles from Chicago: 95
April 11: Gitchee Gumee Brewfest, Superior. Twenty-five craft brewers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa serve up more than 100 beers. There’ll also be Celtic music. Buying tickets in advance is a must. ggbrewfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 465
