Illinois
June 3-5: Rochelle Railroad Days. See a display of train engines and antique Mack trucks, visit the Roberts Armory World War II Museum, enjoy music and more. Free; 815-562-7031; rochellerailroadpark.org. Miles from Chicago: 80
June 4-5: Rockford AirFest. There will be a variety of military and civilian aircraft, an appearance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and more. This year’s fest celebrates 100 years of naval aviation. Fee varies; 815-969-4000; flyrfd.com/airfest. Miles from Chicago: 90
June 10-11: Gumbo Ya Ya, Rock Island. Enjoy live zydeco, jazz and blues music and Cajun food as Bourbon Street is brought to downtown. Fee varies; 309-788-6311; ridistrict.com. Miles from Chicago: 170
Indiana
June 5-12: Germanfest, Fort Wayne. Beer, polka, a wiener dog race, German music and much more. Fee varies; germanfest.org. Miles from Chicago: 165
June 5-26: Indiana Limestone Symposium, Ellettsville. Classes held at the Bybee Stone Co. in the heart of Indiana’s stone belt to learn to carve stone. Advanced and beginner carvers welcome. Fees vary; 812-824-8845; limestonesymposium.org. Miles from Chicago: 215
Michigan
June 2-5: Ninth annual Niles Bluegrass Festival. A variety of bluegrass and roots music on the banks of the St. Joseph River downtown. Free; 269-687-4332; nilesbluegrass.com. Miles from Chicago: 95
June 11-12: Free fishing weekend, statewide. One of two weekends a year when you don’t need a license to fish anywhere in the state. tinyurl.com/2bjz33v
June 11: Leland Wine & Food Festival. This is Michigan’s oldest wine festival and is celebrating its 26th year. Visit more than a dozen wineries of the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, and sample food and listen to live music. Fee applies; 231-256-0079; tinyurl.com/y8wtf6s. Miles from Chicago: 350
Missouri
June 4-5: 2011 St. Louis Route 66 Festival. Classic cars, a bike ride, music, food and more celebrate the “Mother Road” at Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Fee for some events; 314-436-1324, ext. 123; confluence greenway.org/route66. Miles from Chicago: 300
June 10-11: 17th annual JuneBug Jamboree, Springfield. A swarm of VW Beetles and buses descend for a car show, entertainment, vendors, stereo sound-off contest, engine sound-off contest, slow drags, a car corral and more. Free; 417-827-9978; groovevws.com. Miles from Chicago: 515
Wisconsin
June 9-12: Walleye Weekend, Fond du Lac. More than 100,000 people show up for live music; sporting events, including the featured Mercury Marine National Walleye Tournament; a boat exhibit; animal show; and other activities. Free; 920-923-6555; fdlfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 150
June 10-12: PrideFest, Milwaukee. This is billed as one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festivals in the country. More than 140 bands and acts perform on seven stages. This year also features a volleyball tournament. Fees vary; 414-272-3378; pridefest.com. Miles from Chicago: 90
