Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:
•Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground in Bean Blossom, Ind., will be rocking Aug. 23-25 during the 20th Annual Bean Blossom Blues Fest. Among the headliners are Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind and Tommy Castro & the Painkillers. In addition to the scheduled music there will be plenty of jam sessions and Q&A time with Ricci for harmonica players. www.beanblossomblues.com
•Motorcycles will be the stars Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee with the Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary Celebration. From Aug. 29-Sept. 2 there will be a moto-carnival on the lakefront with motorcycle thrill shows and racing along the beach. There will also be factory tours and lots of activities at the H-D Museum. http://tinyurl.com/ybp3owlv
•Members of the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association will put on a fireworks show to be remembered Aug. 25 at Boomtown, at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Vinton, Iowa. A member showcase will feature shells hand built by IPA members, with the Grand Public Display following. www.vintonboomtown.com
•The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival attracts fans of classic cars to Auburn, Ind., on Aug. 25-Sept. 2. There will be displays of cars, car auctions, a swap meet, special events at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, live music, food, a beer tent and more. www.acdfestival.org
•Craft beer will be available for tastings Sept. 8 during CANvitational 2018 in downtown Indianapolis. More than 50 breweries from across the country will be represented, and there will be food trucks and live music. www.canvitational.com
•The Kenosha Classic Cruise-In Car Show will be Sept. 1 in downtown Kenosha, Wis. This is the 15th year for the show, which includes cars, trucks and motorcycles. There’s also food and live music. http://tinyurl.com/ybatx5o4
•Peoria celebrates its Irish heritage Aug. 24-26 at Irish Fest. There will be music and dance on multiple stages, Irish food and drink, cultural displays, shopping and athletes competing in Highland Games. On Aug. 26, the 200th anniversary of Illinois’ first constitution, free slices of Eli’s Cheesecake will be given out to mark the occasion. www.peoriairishfest.com
•Cars and drivers from the Indianapolis 500 will be competing at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill., on Aug. 24-25. Practice and qualifying will take place on the 24th, followed by a 150-lap stock-car race. On the 25th will be the Verizon IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500. www.gatewaymsp.com
•Offering a variety of musical styles, the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival will be held Aug. 24-26 at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Ontonagon, Mich. Headliners include Donna the Buffalo, The Fred Eaglesmith Show starring Tif Ginn and Slambovian Circus of Dreams. There will also be workshops held during the weekend. www.porkiesfestival.org
•The Big Muddy Blues Festival will be held on Laclede’s Landing in St. Louis on Sept. 1-2. More than 65 bands will perform on seven stages. There will also be a few free performances on Aug. 31. www.bigmuddybluesfestival.com
•If you’re driving in Iowa and like browsing for antiques and collectibles, check out the suggestions at http://tinyurl.com/y7fvd746.
Deals and websites listed here have been checked for availability as of press time. Listings are not endorsements. Send tips at least a month in advance to ChicagoTribTravel@gmail.com.
Phil Marty is a freelancer.
