The Color the Wind Kite Festival, established in 2001, has everything from inflatable show kites to award-winning stunt kite flyers performing choreographed routines to music. The event takes place in Clearlake in February, and generally lasts for five hours. Hot foods and drinks are available to help you warm up after exposure to the winter winds. Kites are sold for anyone who want to join in the festivities.
A visit to the "Field of Dreams" movie site in Dyersville is a must for anyone finding themselves near this most unlikely of baseball diamonds. The location of the 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner is free to visit. You can buy souvenirs, and also hit a few balls, play catch and run the bases so don't forget your bat, ball and glove.
The Grotto of the Redemption, or the "miracle in stone," is actually made up of nine different grottos illustrating scenes from the life of Jesus and its official website claims that it houses "the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location." Located in West Bend, the Grotto of the Redemption attracts not only the religious, but also visitors simply wishing to marvel at the scale and quality of the workmanship. The gems, rocks and other materials making up the grotto have an estimated value in excess of $4 million. Movie buffs should note that the grotto appears in "The Straight Story," directed by David Lynch.
If you like a bit of unusual in your vacation, head to Riverside, which celebrates being the birthplace of James T. Kirk. (He won't actually be born there for quite some time - 2288 to be precise!) Despite being a fictional character, the people of Riverside have been moved to put up a plaque celebrating the famed Star Fleet captain and also erected a model of USS Starship, entitled the "USS Riverside." Trekkies descend on Riverside year-round, with or without their Star Fleet uniforms, but the annual Trek Fest takes over the town for one weekend in June.
