ONE-TANK TRIPS

ILLINOIS

Jan. 8-Feb. 12 | Winter on the Green, 1 to 3 p.m. every Sunday, downtown Frankfort, (815) 469-2177, www.villageoffrankfort.com

The Village of Frankfort, along with the Frankfort Park District and Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, are sponsoring this 17th annual program featuring ice sculpture displays, trolley rides, carnivals, sled races, a chili cook off, Super Bowl party and Valentines event.

Jan. 12-16 | Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show, various times, McCormick Place, North Building, 2301 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, www.chicagoboatshow.com

This 82nd annual event showcases the best in powerboats and recreational vehicles for sale, all while offering a variety of entertainment for all ages.

INDIANA

Jan. 21 | 9th Annual Gardening Show, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Porter County Exposition Center, Ind. 49 at Division Road, Valparaiso, (219) 465-3555, www.pcgarden.info/gardening_show

This event features presentations by national, regional and local gardening experts, special lodging and dining packages, a seed and bulb exchange, garden photography contest, a children's corner, and food service, as well as 100 exhibitors and vendors of products and services for and about gardens and gardening.

Jan. 28-29 | 28th Annual Hammond Outdoors Sports Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive, Hammond, (219) 554-0155, www.gohammond.org

This event features free goodie bags for the first 300 attendees each day, plus tons of door prizes and other giveaways. Activities include the Trout Pond, minnow races and bobber pond for the kids. For adults, chain saw wood carving demonstrations and free deer antler scoring by Buckmasters.

Feb. 4 | Bev's Second Season Ball, 1933 E 800 North, LaPorte, (888) 660-6222, www.newbuffalo.org. (This is a New Buffalo, Mich., event, located in Indiana). Escape the winter blues and have a Chocolate Fantasy celebration at this event sponsored by the New Buffalo Business Association. There will be an open bar with free signature chocolate martinis from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., appetizers by local restaurants, a delicious meal and two chocolate fountains for dessert. A spectacular silent auction will include vacations and cruises.

MICHIGAN

Jan 13-15 8th Annual Hunter Ice Festival, downtown Niles, 269.687.4332. nilesmainstreet.org. This popular event pays tribute to the Hunter Brothers Ice and Ice Cream Company. The festival includes ice sculptures, world-class ice carvers, and ice cream tasting tent, kids' activities and more.

Jan. 15 | Spring in the Smoky Mountains, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Fernwood Botanical Gardens, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, (269) 695-6491, www.fernwoodbotanical.org

Naturalist Wendy Jones shares images of mountain vistas, spring wildflowers, streams and waterfalls, old-growth forests, and more. Consider an early arrival to enjoy a delicious warm lunch in the Fernwood Café.

Jan. 21 | Winter Delights: A Festival of Wine, Food, and Jazz, 5 to 9 p.m., Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, Grand Upton Hall, 190 E Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, (269) 927-1221, www.winterdelightsfestival.com

The event will feature more than 20 Michigan wineries, with both winemakers and winery representatives on hand to talk to attendees about their wines. Representatives from Michigan State University's viticulture program will also be on site to explain how one can start a vineyard. Jazzmin II, featuring musician Steven Reed, will provide the musical backdrop for this event.