Naper Settlement becomes a Civil War Encampment where visitors can meet famous characters of the past and become immersed in history. A battle is held each day at 2:30 p.m. A

Enjoy two days of ethnic folk music and dance, a wide range of food, unique arts and crafts, international games, children's events, a merchandise bazaar, and dozens of cultural booths and displays.

Features leaders in the social justice and environmental community, an organic beer, mead and wine pavilion, and a dedicated kids' area for learning about easy and fun ways to incorporate green at a young age. Plus, more than 350 eco-friendly businesses exhibit.

Elmhurst Museum Day  | Elmhurst

FREE

Join all four Elmhurst museums to celebrate International Museum Day. Park at one museum and ride the free trolley to the others. Each museum features free admission, exhibits, kids' activities and prize drawings.

• Elmhurst Historical Museum
• Elmhurst Art Museum
• Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
• Theatre Historical Society of America

JustPlay! Sports & Rec Festival  | Carol Stream

FREE

Dozens of interactive sports and performances and a 5k run & walk

Includes a wide variety of vendors featuring model train layouts, antiques, historic items and train accessories. A new interactive area for kids features three model Lionel train layouts for them to drive, plus the opportunity to ride on Little Obie, a scale model of a Canadian National locomotive that comes with a flatcar and a caboose. Attendees can also visit Homewood's Rail Watching Platform and the Homewood Train Station.

Kids of all ages can catch original work and new interpretations of classic favorites at venues in Chicago and Evanston. Visit www.chicagohumanities.org for detailed schedule and ticket information. Performances run May 7-19.

The Art Walk showcases the works of talented professional and student artists in restaurants and businesses in downtown Skokie. Live activities held noon-5 p.m. May 18. Visitors are invited to pick up an Art Walk map; meet the artists; listen to roaming musicians; enjoy plein air artists paint outdoors; hear jazz musicians play in Memorial Park; and attend Open Mic Performances at Gorilla Tango/Skokie Theatre. Kids 3-16 can create their own art at three locations: Bughouse Studio, Lincoln Terrace Art Studio & Gallery and Mosaic Montessori/Early Childhood.

Music, festival favorites, local vendors at the Merchant Square, and interactive games and entertainment.

All animals welcome in Pet Parade (1/4 mile); prizes for best dressed, most exotic, most original, smallest/largest pet. Plus, dog contests (Woof Off, Most Obedient, Best Trick and Hot Dog Relay), pet-friendly vendors, raffles and demonstrations. All dogs must be on a leash and all vaccinations current.