Chicago's Goose Island 312 beers will be part of the annual Kohler Festival of Beer taking place May 31 - June 2, in Kohler, Wisconsin, about two and a half hours from Chicago.

The Kohler Festival of Beer is a three-day event featuring tastings, educational sampling seminars and brand-new happenings for 2013, including an inaugural Kohler Festival of Beer 5K Beer Run presented by Chicago's Goose Island 312 - a trail run through the scenic areas of River Wildlife. At each mile mark, participants will be rewarded with a refreshing beer stop. - and a new new Grilling University - an interactive cooking demonstration alongside skilled Kohler chefs.

Other Kohler Festival of Beer events include:

• Kohler Festival of Beer Pub Crawl Presented by Great Brewers
• Blackwolf Run Beer Challenge Tournament Presented by Leinenkugel's
• Goose Island Beer Seminar
• And more.
  

Plan your trip to the festival with our Guide to the Kohler Festival of Beer.

Also read: Chicago's Best Outdoor Parks and Gardens l Chicago's Shedd Aquarium l Guide to the Chicago Botanic Garden l Spa Time with Celebrity Manicurist Jade Morales

If you're new to Meet the Market events, here's what you will need to know:

1) Meet the Market is totally free to get in. No cover charge. No admission.

2) A portion of the proceeds from every Koval specialty cocktail sold funds Green City Market's LINK matching fund, which helps extend the food dollars of people on assistance when shopping Green City Market. (Learn about the LINK food stamps program.)

3) Special bonus - Meet the Market will be raffling off two tickets to Green City Market's 2013 Chef's BBQ ($250 value). Make a donation of any amount to get your raffle tickets at the event and support the LINK matching fund.

Also read: Taking Public Transit in Chicago l Chicago's Best Pet Boutiques l Outdoor Parks and Gardens in Chicago

If you have time this weekend, one thing worth doing is a visit to Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL, about 45 minutes west of Chicago, for their annual Lilac Festival.

Hundreds of blooming lilac trees means one thing - a fragrance you can smell miles a away.

The park also includes blooming tulips, benches to sit on, a gift shop and restrooms.

Tomorrow, Lombard will crown the Lilac Queen during their Lilac Parade at the park.

Lilacia Park is located at 150 S. Park Avenue, Lombard, IL.

More about Lilacia Park: "Lilacia Park, once home to Colonel William R. Plum's lilac garden, is now a park with poetic appeal. The park was bequeathed on the passing of Colonel Plum in 1927. In 1929 the park was landscaped by Jens Jensen of the Chicago Park District. Originally designed as the Plum Memorial Park, the name was changed to Lilacia Park. Since 1929 Lilacia Park has been a source of pleasure for Lombardians and visitors from all over the world."

Also read: Visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden l Touring Chicago's Old Town Neighborhood l May 2013 Events in Chicago

(Photo credit: Lisa Davis, www.lisadavismedia.com)

Chicago's beauty shoppers will be happy to know about ULTA Beauty's new store on Halsted (16 Halsted Street, between Madison and Monroe). The store officially opened this week, and this weekend (Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19) is hosting several events, including:

• Gift Certificates - The first 100 guests to visit the store each day, Friday through Sunday, will receive free gift certificates ranging from $5 to $100 or a free salon service. (Yes, ULTA Beauty has on-site salon.)
• Four Free Gifts - This week, and through the weekend, the first 1,000 guests to visit the store and sign up for ULTA Beauty's loyalty club will receive a gift bag with four free products.
• Free Makeovers and Consultations - Enjoy a consultation and makeover from guest experts and stylists from ULTA Beauty's salon.

About ULTA Beauty's Salon: ULTA Beauty's full-service salon and skin care services are with licensed stylists and skin therapists, with services ranging from haircuts and color to brow design and specialty facials.

More about ULTA Beauty on Halsted: ULTA Beauty, located at The Gateway Center, 16 S. Halsted Street, will be open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make a salon appointment the store phone number is 312-243-0411. Salon walk-ins are also welcome. Free two-hour parking for ULTA Beauty customers is available in the garage behind the store, off of Monroe.

Also read: Taking Public Transportation in Chicago l Taste of Chicago 2013 l Guide to Visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden