Jan. 19--Illinois
Feb. 4: America the Beautiful -- Illinois Quarter Launch Ceremony, Harrisburg. The U.S. Mint is releasing its 31st America the Beautiful coin, which commemorates the Camel Rock formation at the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in the Shawnee National Forest. There will be a special program, and the new quarter will be available. www.tinyurl.com/zoz4wne. Miles from Chicago: 335
Feb. 6: Ronald Reagan Birthday Party, Tampico. The town honors its native son and 40th U.S. president with an open house at the Reagan Birthplace Museum and the Historical Society Museum. 815-438-2130, www.tinyurl.com/j386u2y. Miles from Chicago: 130
Indiana
Jan. 29-31: Eagles in Flight Weekend, Marshall. Turkey Run State Park hosts this annual event that includes seeing eagles in the wild as well as up close in lecture programs. 765-597-2654, www.tinyurl.com/hdhg2hj. Miles from Chicago: 160
Feb. 5-6: Franklin Crawl Mardi Gras Grand Parade, Evansville. West Franklin Street celebrates Mardi Gras with a parade, live music, beads and food and drink. 800-433-3025, www.tinyurl.com/gvr5tur. Miles from Chicago: 295
Iowa
Jan. 29-31: Eagles Ivories Ragtime Weekend, Muscatine. This is the 22nd year for this weekend aimed at fans of ragtime music. There's also the chance to view bald eagles, and there are showings of silent movies. www.tinyurl.com/hjb25fw. Miles from Chicago: 205
Michigan
Jan. 30: Winter Beer Fest, St. Joseph. A variety of Michigan craft breweries will be offering their beers for sampling. There will also be live music. www.tinyurl.com/hqwrfnp. Miles from Chicago: 95
Feb. 5-7: IceBreaker 2016, South Haven. Ice sculptors work their magic on 300-pound blocks of ice, there's a chili cook-off, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. 269-637-5171, www.tinyurl.com/jwvb6q9. Miles from Chicago: 125
Feb. 6: White Pine Stampede, Mancelona. Nordic skiers have been coming here since 1977 to compete in the Stampede. There are 30- and 12-mile contests and a six-mile non-competitive event. Routes run from Mancelona to Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. 231-587-8812, www.whitepinestampede.org. Miles from Chicago: 325
Missouri
Jan. 31: Rocheport Roubaix. This is a winter bicycle adventure with routes of 67, 50, 33 or 15 miles on gravel. Pre-registration is recommended. 573-445-2664, www.ultramaxsports.com/races/roubaix. Miles from Chicago: 400
Minnesota
Jan. 28-Feb. 7: St. Paul Winter Carnival. Rice Park is the center stage for this annual celebration of winter. There will be parades, a beer fest featuring brews from more than 100 breweries, disc golf and lots of winter-related activities. 651-223-7400, www.wintercarnival.com. Miles from Chicago: 400
Wisconsin
Feb. 5-7: Hudson Hot Air Affair. There will be a mass ascension and other launches of more than 30 hot air balloons, fireworks, live music, a craft fair and much more. 715-381-2050, www.hudsonhotairaffair.com. Miles from Chicago: 380
Feb. 13-14: Madison Winter Festival. This event draws 20,000 participants each year for cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding and more. There are also ice-sculpting and snow-carving displays and food and drink. 608-385-8864, www.winter-fest.com. Miles from Chicago: 145
MidwestEventsTrib@yahoo.com
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
