Forget baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. Around here, we've got cow chip throwing and watermelon seed spitting and men in skirts -- yowzer!

Oh, and did we mention Elvis? An Elvis Explosion, in fact. And Harleys, of course, and Wilhelm Tell. And Sputnik -- don't forget Sputnik, that Cold War-era Russian satellite.

In the next couple of weeks, the Wisconsin events calendar is filled with community celebrations associated with all these things and more.

From cow chips to Celtic games, from Swiss history to space history, you can take your pick for unique entertainment not too far from wherever you may be.

Only in Wisconsin.

What: Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw.

Where: Prairie du Sac, in Marion Park.

When: Aug. 29-30.

In 25 words or less: It's a chip-chuckin' good time, with the requisite throwing contest, a Tournament of Chips Parade and even 5K and 10K runs -- chip-timed, naturally.

Fun fact: As most people probably know, the cow chip is the dried version of the cow pie. In keeping with the food theme, in 1989 the Wisconsin State Legislature decreed the cow chip the unofficial state muffin.

Learn more: Check www.wiscowchip.com or call 608-643-4317.

What: Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration and Milwaukee Motorcycle Rally.

Where: Milwaukee, at various locations including Summerfest grounds, Harley-Davidson dealers and Roadhouse at the Lakefront.

When: Aug. 27-31.

In 25 words or less: H-D parties hard, with Springsteen, Foo Fighters and Kid Rock, plus dealer events like mud wrestling, bikini bike wash and "Milwaukee's Largest Bloody Mary Bar."

Fun fact: The new Harley-Davidson museum opened in July at 400 Canal St., but you might have to wait until after the rally to visit, as museum admission is limited during the 105th anniversary weekend.

Learn more: Check www.harley-davidson.com (click on "Experience" to find 105th anniversary link), and www.milwaukeerally.com.

What: Wilhelm Tell Festival.

Where: New Glarus, at the Tell Grounds and downtown.

When: Aug. 29-31.

In 25 words or less: Festival honoring Switzerland's national hero, with Swiss music, Swiss dancing, Swiss costumes, Swiss yodeling, Swiss baked goods, Swiss history and -- presumably -- Swiss cheese.

Fun fact: The centerpiece of the festivities, the Wilhelm Tell play, is presented in both English and German. Note that the story is the same in either language. So how do you say "he shoots the apple" in Deutsch?

Learn more: Check www.swisstown.com/wilhelmtell.shtml and

www.wilhelmtell.org.

What: Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-Wow.

Where: Just east of Black River Falls, on Highway 54.

When: Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1.

In 25 words or less: Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk Nation opens its doors to friends and neighbors for this celebration of its history and culture.

Fun fact: A highlight of Native American pow-wows is the grand entry, featuring tribal leaders, royalty and dancers in traditional attire, accompanied by chants and the rhythmic beat of buckskin drums.

Learn more: Check www.blackrivercountry.net and www.natow.org/pow-wows.html, or call 715-284-9343.

What: Historic Encampment and Dairy Days.

Where: Platteville, in Legion Park (Dairy Days) and Moundview Park (Encampment).

When: Sept. 5-7.

In 25 words or less: Got milk? Dairy Days does. Meanwhile, the historic re-enactment has women in bonnets and men in three-corner hats -- and kettle corn!

Fun fact: The historic encampment will feature demonstrations of frontier-era skills, including blacksmithing, candlemaking and flintknapping -- which, of course, is the art of knapping flint. OK, that's pounding flint or other stone to create tools or materials for building (or so says Reference.com).

Learn more: Check www.platteville.org (click "Historic Encampment" under Tourism).

What: Elvis Explosion.

Where: La Crosse, downtown at the La Crosse Center.

When: Sept. 5-7.

In 25 words or less: It's all sequins and swivel-hips when contestants vie to see who would be King. But the real question is: Fat Elvis or Skinny Elvis?

Fun fact: As if Elvis impersonators (an explosion of them!) weren't enough, the weekend includes a "Great Pretenders Show," with imitators of Elton John, Buddy Holly, Rickey Nelson, Rod Stewart and Tom Jones -- which probably does make the event a bit unusual, actually.

Learn more: Check www.elvisexplosioncontest.com.

What: Watermelon Festival.

Where: Pardeeville, in Chandler Park.

When: Sept. 6.

In 25 words or less: This is the one, the only place for (drum roll, please) the official United States of America Watermelon Speed Eating and Seed Spitting Championships.

Fun fact: These contests are the real deal, with "sanctioned championship rules" and everything. There are some good ones, too, including seed spitting rule No. 6, which reads: "People who wear dentures, whose teeth go further than the seed shall abide by judges decision: Distance seed travels is the only thing that counts. Poly-grip available upon request." That last part seems especially thoughtful. Also thoughtful is speed eating rule No. 8, which permits "raincoats, umbrella, rubbers and galoshes" to be worn while eating. "Acceptable also are snorkel, scuba equipment or underwater breathing devices and apparatus." Dive in, people.

Learn more: Check www.pardeevillewatermelonfestival.com (click on "Media" to review that rules brochure).

What: Sputnikfest.

Where: Manitowoc, at the Rahr-West Museum.

When: Sept. 5-6.

In 25 words or less: Manitowoc remembers its role in space-age history, in 1962, when a glowing piece of Russian satellite Sputnik IV landed on North 8th Street.

Fun fact: A "Miss Space Debris" contest, sci-fi film festival, "Aliens in the Alley" food area and "Galactic Gallery" activities, "Artta This World" art fair and a "Where Were You in '62?" exhibit are all part of the celebration.

Learn more: Check www.sputnikfest.com

and www.rahrwestartmuseum.org or call the Manitowoc Area Visitors & Convention Bureau at 800-627-4896.

What: Wisconsin Highland Games and Celtic Fling.

Where: Waukesha, at the Expo Center.

When: Sept. 5-7.

In 25 words or less: Dudes might be sporting skirts, but the athletic competition is fierce -- axe throw, rugby, longbow tournaments and haggis hurling, whatever that is.

Fun fact: These Scottish folk divide their games into two categories: light athletics, relying on stamina, and heavy athletics, requiring great strength. Dancing, running and jumping events fall into the first category, while the heavy stuff is pretty much about throwing things -- stone throwing, weight tossing, hammer throwing, caber turning and sheaf tossing. Guess that's what puts the "fling" in the Celtic Fling.

Learn more: Check www.wisconsinscottish.org

or call 414-517-5163.

What: Villa Louis Carriage Classic.

Where: Prairie du Chien, at Villa Louis historic site.

When: Sept. 6-7.

In 25 words or less: Horses, carriages, a grand Victorian estate. It's all about style, elegance, historic fashion, grace and large pooper scoopers (well, somebody's gotta do it).

Fun fact: Villa Louis belonged to Hercules. Truly, that was the first name of the wealthy frontiersman, Mr. Dousman, who in the mid-1840s developed the estate now called Villa Louis. Dousman's middle name, by which he was known, was Louis.

Learn more: Check http://villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org or call 608-326-2721.

What: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

Where: Jefferson, at County Fair Park.

When: Sept. 5-7.

In 25 words or less: Sheep might take a back seat to cows in this state for the most part, but not here, my friends. Fans of fleece rejoice.

Fun fact: Ah, the Wonders of Wool. That's the name of the series of Fiber Arts Classes (weaving and such) being taught in conjunction with the festival. WOW!

Learn more: Check www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com.

What: Chilimania.

Where: Edgerton, downtown.

When: Sept. 6.

In 25 words or less: Contest (with related chili-eating) is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International, the existence of which proves there truly is an organization for everything.

Fun fact: Chili cooks should take note of CASI's official "Chili Judging Criteria" regarding product taste: "A really good taste will stand out." Hmmm, no kidding, that clears it up.

Learn more: Check

www.chilimania.com.

What: Lake Geneva Wine Festival.

Where: Lake Geneva, at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.

When: Sept. 4-7.

In 25 words or less: It's pretty much champagne wishes and caviar dreams at this classy weekend, where it surely helps to know your Pinot Noir from your Pinot Grigio.

Fun fact: Dozens of wines and wineries will be represented at the 2008 fest, though for what it's worth there is no "Boone's Farm" on the list.

Learn more: Check www.lakegenevawinefestival.com.