Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:
•PrideFest Milwaukee will celebrate the LGBTQ community June 6-9 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown. A broad range of live entertainment will perform on multiple stages, and the 15th annual Milwaukee Pride Parade gets rolling June 9. www.pridefest.com
•The 11 lighthouses of Door County will be the stars June 7-9 during the Door County Spring Lighthouse Festival. The event includes boat- and land-based tours of the lighthouses as well as adventure tours. New this year are kayak outings. Some of the lighthouses are open to the public only during the festival. http://tinyurl.com/y4abxk9j
•New Glarus, Wis., shows off its Swiss heritage June 7-8 with two big events. Polkafest will be held both days and feature polka bands, lots of dancing and beer. June 8 will also include the Beer, Bacon and Cheese Fest, with samples of craft beers, specialty meats and artisan cheeses. Early purchase of wristbands for the Sunday event is recommended since it generally sells out. www.swisstown.com
•Downtown Moline, Ill., will be hopping during Moline Centre’s Thursday Night Summer Concert Series. Every Thursday from May 30 to July 25 there will be free live music on the Plaza at Bass Street Landing. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. http://tinyurl.com/y29sftmx
•Crystal Lake is holding its Midsommar Festival on June 8 in recognition of the town’s Swedish roots. Activities will include the making and raising of a maypole, a performance by a Scandinavian dance group as well as instruction on folk dancing, Swedish treats, beer from Crystal Lake Brewing and an educational presentation related to Sweden. http://tinyurl.com/y22z52mm
•Fete the flowers June 15-16 at the Rose Show put on by Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich. Experts will also be on hand to answer questions about growing roses. http://tinyurl.com/yyy3ctz9
•Lots of activities are planned for the Shipshewana Quilt Festival, June 19-22 in Shipshewana, Ind. About 200 quilts will be on display during the juried show, and there will be workshops and lectures. Vendors will also be on hand selling quilts and quilting supplies. www.shipshewanaquiltfest.com
•Bluegrass and roots music will be featured during the Blue Ox Music Festival June 13-15 in Eau Claire, Wis. Among the headliners will be the Del McCoury Band. Single and multi-day tickets are offered, and camping is available. www.blueoxmusicfestival.com
•Pearl Seas Cruises is offering two Great Lakes itineraries through August. Great Lakes and Georgian Bay is an 11-night itinerary, with discounts available on some dates. Great Lakes runs seven nights. Both cruises are between Milwaukee and Toronto. www.PearlSeasCruises.com
•Volkswagen fans will be heading to Effingham, Ill., on June 7-9 for the Funfest for Air Cooled VW 2019. This is the 21st year of this event that includes hundreds of Beetles, Buses, Dune Buggies, Ghias and more on display. There also will be seminars, live music and more. www.funfestacvw.com
•Hardy cyclists will tackle the Coast to Coast Gravel Grinder bike race June 22. The 210-mile ride across Michigan starts at Point Au Gres Marina on Lake Huron and ends at Stearns Park Beach in Ludington. There’s also a 100-mile race that starts and ends in Ludington. There’s a rider limit of 550 for men and no limit for women. www.micoasttocoast.com
•For hoops fans, the College Basketball Experience, including the College Hall of Fame, is in Kansas City. www.collegebasketballexperience.com
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.
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