Check out Bastille Days celebration

* Vive la Milwaukee! The four-day Bastille Days celebration commemorates the French Revolution, which began with the storming of the Bastille prison in July 1789. The Thursday-Sunday festivities take place on land owned by Milwaukee's first mayor, French fur trader Solomon Juneau. Enjoy cajun, creole, Canadian and French cuisine from sidewalk cafes. The event also includes live music, street performers and a 43-foot-tall Eiffel Tower; (414) 271-1416, easttown.com.* With nearly 500 artists from across the United States, Madison's Art Fair on the Square next Saturday and Sunday is one of the most popular juried art fairs in the Midwest. Browse among the sculptures, paintings, photographs and other creative works for sale. The fair, along with food vendors, live music, dancing and other entertainment, occupies eight blocks around the State Capitol building; (608) 257-0158, mmoca.org. * If Madison, Wis.'s art fair leaves you hungry for more, the even bigger Ann Arbor Art Fairs take place July 15-18. Four independently juried art fairs fill the streets -- along with half a million art fiends; artfair.org. * Dig into brats, sauerkraut and other stick-to-your-ribs fare at one of the Steirer Club of Chicago's annual Austrian Picnics at noon on July 12 and Aug. 9. Beer and German music will be on tap at the events, open to everyone. The picnics are in McHenry County at the Steirer Alm (use the address 1000 Shady Dr., Lakemoor, to get directions off Google Maps). Admission is $8; kids 11 and under are free; (847) 677-0926. Call or check Web sites ahead because details might change.

E-mail specifics about upcoming Midwest events to Travel Editor Lori Rackl at lrackl@suntimes.com.