Taste of Chicago is the largest free-admission food and music festival in the U.S. This 10-day party provides everything from hot dogs to haute cuisine dished out by 70-plus area restaurants. The event features live music, cooking demonstrations, a wine garden and family fun.

Lollapalooza offers a destination-based experience that celebrates the lush green park as much as the talent on the stage. In addition to music, the event includes a Chicago art exhibit, festival foods and a family-friendly area called Kidzapalooza.

This summertime favorite brings approximately two million people to the lakefront each year to witness the many feats that will be attempted and performed both in water and air. Civilian and military aircrafts perform at soaring heights, while parachute teams and flying aerobatic acts entertain the audience below. Don't miss headliners U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team and U.S. Navy Blue Angels as they demonstrate high-flying precision formations and awe-inspiring solo maneuvers.

The American Sail Training Association has partnered with Great Lakes United to bring a fleet of international tall ships to the Great Lakes, as part of the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge 2010 race series. Join us as the tall ships race through all five Great Lakes making port appearances in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Two important initiatives sail along with the tall ships: water conservation education and youth sail training.

Each week, the Settlement will feature unique and fun activities for all ages including hands-on activities, entertainment, games, stories, demonstrations and presentations by special guests. Make your own do-it-yourself ice cream sundae from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (with the exception of July 11). Free sundaes are included with admission.

Join in this family-friendly summer celebration that includes pie-eating contests, a carnival, live entertainment and an arts and crafts show. Don’t miss the Grand Parade.

Come out and enjoy the annual Nostalgia Days. The fun will include a carnival, live music, an antique car show and RV, boat and outdoor expo, outdoor movie, food booths and much more.

One of Long Grove’s biggest festivals features the strawberry in all its guises, from ice cream to donuts. Local shops sell strawberry-themed souvenirs and there’s free family entertainment, including live music.

Fix your eyes on the skies as a field of hot air balloons are released to the sky at the Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival. In addition to the beautiful balloons, spend the day with carnival rides, food, fireworks, entertainment, music and more.

The Kane County Fair is an old-time county fair featuring music and thrill shows. Fair goers can enjoy carnival rides, food, exhibits and commercial booths.

This weekend features soaring stunt kite-flying performances set to music by the Chicago Fire Kite Team and members of the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois. There is even time to fly your own kite at the Garden. All ages can learn to make their own kites.

During this sky-high event, held at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, see more than 20 hot air balloons compete in races and join together for nighttime balloon glows. Also enjoy tethered balloon rides, a classic car show, live music and the Friday night Ale Fest, featuring more than 100 craft beers.

AirFest 2010 will host the U. S. Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, civilian performers and static airplane displays.

Featuring a full-size train headed by "Thomas" the Tank Engine. Fun for the kids, parents and grandparents as you meet “Thomas" and Mr. Engineer on a trip to Sodor. Live entertainment, music and lots of other trains to ride. Check website for dates.

Spend Father’s Day weekend celebrating the historic highway in towns that line the Illinois National Road. Festivities in the past have included community-wide yard sales from Central through Southwest Illinois, a car show in Greenville, a bluegrass festival in Vandalia, a rodeo in Altamont and an antique motorcycle show in Marshall.

Be on the lookout for Living History events happening all around downtown Springfield, including a roving Abraham Lincoln popping up at various historic sites, costumed interpreters at the Old State Capitol, street performances by period troubadours, poetry readings at the Vachel Lindsay Home and Civil War trolley tours.

Experience classic gourmet and ethnic fare from over 25 downtown restaurants at the Annual Taste of Downtown in Springfield.

Ten days of constant excitement and entertainment welcome visitors at the Illinois State Fair. Everything from top name stars to chilling carnival rides and more.

Come out to the airport in Logan County and experience the beauty and wonder of hot air balloons in flight. Visit downtown to see all of the art vendors and pick up some beautiful pieces. Activities include several balloon launches, evening balloon glows, musical entertainment, food, the art of wine and much more.

Cajun, zydeco and New Orleans style music and food, street performers, vendors, and beads. A two- night Mardi Gras Party in The District Located in Downtown Rock Island, Illinois on the Great River Plaza on 2nd Avenue between 17th & 19th Streets.

This popular sports event held on the Peoria RiverFront includes world-class cycling and foot races, motorcycle stunt shows, powerboat races, live family entertainment and a carnival.

The city of Galesburg celebrates its rich railroad history with a model train show, rail yard tours, exhibits at the Galesburg Railroad Museum, a street fair, flea market, Sunday car show, a rib cook-off and a carnival.

Watch the aerobatics, pyrotechnics and war birds fly through the sky at the Prairie Air Show. This high quality air show for all ages will provide opportunities for visitors to experience past and present military and civilian aircraft as well as provide aviation education and awareness.

Feel the excitement at the Galesburg Heritage Days where visitors can experience two time periods in America’s history featuring Civil War Battle reenactments and pre 1840s rendezvous. A traveling family circus, period food stands and crafts for sale, fishing contest for children, canoe races on the lake, night firing of cannons and a military ball.

The annual World's Largest Catsup Bottle Summerfest Birthday Party and Classic Car Show will be a part of a full weekend of fun activities planned for the Collinsville American Legion Post 365. This family-oriented, kid-friendly event will feature old-fashioned party games for kids of all ages. Plenty of craft show booths, attendance prizes, live music, food and fantastic family fun.

Visitors who love peaches or crafts, look no further than the Pere Marquette Lodge Peach Festival. Festival-goers can enjoy all types of tasty treats including jellies, jams, pies, cobblers and more. Come and check out the 4th Annual Peach Festival and join other peach lovers as they celebrate the wonderful world of peaches.

Come out for the annual three-day Centralia Balloon Fest which features 40 hot air balloons, main stage entertainment, craft fair, free children's activities and games, cardboard boat races, food and more.

Musicians from around the world present more than 30 concerts in venues throughout the region, including Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. With Romeo & Juliet as a festival theme, performances range from a Russian ballet to a French opera.

Cave-In-Rock Frontier Festival is held in July in Cave-In-Rock on the banks of the beautiful Ohio River. The festival, which commemorates the extensive and colorful history connected to Cave-In-Rock and the surrounding community is an entertaining and fun filled community event. First held in the 1960s, the celebration includes a parade, carnival and, various entertainment held in the Old Opry House.

The annual Peach Festival in Cobden features a carnival with rides and games, exhibits and contests, Peach Queen pageant and lots of peach food.