Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park Intertribal Pow-wow
Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy, Illinois
June 3 – 4
** CANCELLED - CHECK BACK NEXT YEAR **
Intertribal dancers plus art and food vendors will come together for the 8th Annual Intertribal Pow-wow. This outdoor event offers a chance for the whole family to observe some colorful and symbolic elements of Native American cultural heritage. Call 309-962-2700 or 309-962-4106 or visit the Park website.
20 Years: The 5th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival
Heartland Theatre Company
Community Activity Center
1100 N. Beech St. Normal, Illinois
June 8 - 11, 15 - 17, and 22 - 25
This year’s festival features plays submitted by playwrights from all across the country, all on the subject of what can happen in 20 years. For ticket information and reservations, call (309) 452-8709 or visit the Heartland theatre website.
GLT Summer Concert
Downtown Bloomington, Illinois (Corner of Jefferson and Center Streets)
June 10
Chicago blues band Mississippi Heat, swing jazz group The Beegie Adair Trio, plus Southside Cindy and The Slip-Tones will serve up a great evening of free entertainment. Food vendors will be on hand and local restaurants are located nearby. A walk-around beer and wine garden will also be available. Bring friends, lawnchairs, blankets and sunscreen. Visit the GLT Events link for more about the performers.
Special Olympics Illinois - State Summer Games
Sports Complex area
Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
June 16 -18
Cheer on the athletes and teams from all over the state as they compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, and unified bocce events. It’s a great opportunity to volunteer for a good cause, too. Visit the Special Olympics Illinois website for schedule and other details.
Glorious Garden Walk
David Davis Mansion Historical Site
1000 East Monroe Drive, Bloomington, Illinois
June 16 – 17
Take self-guided tours of select local gardens in the Bloomington-Normal area, including the Heirloom Garden on the grounds of the David Davis Mansion. McLean County Master Gardeners and representatives from local landscaping companies will be available to answer questions. This special event benefits the David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems Auxiliary. Call (309) 828-1084 or check the Davis Mansion website for more information.
Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre
Miller Park Band Shell
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Illinois
June 16 - 18 and 23 – 25 and 30 – July 2 "Oliver!”
July 20 - 23 and July 27 - 30 "Our Town”
Local actors will be featured in two popular shows presented free by the City of Bloomington. Come early and grab a seat in front of the band shell, or bring your lawn chair or blankets and enjoy great outdoor theatre with your friends and neighbors.
Juneteenth Celebration
Forrest Park
South Morris Avenue (just south of Miller Park), Bloomington, Illinois
June 17
African American Forum will host the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Food, music, games and activities for adults and children will be offered. Special guest speakers will pay tribute to African American freedom and individual achievements. The whole community is encouraged to attend. Contact Tony Jones at (309) 662-4049 for details.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Ewing Manor
48 Sunset Road, Bloomington, Illinois
June 30 through August 13 (various dates during this period)
Pack a picnic and enjoy the Green Show, then experience Shakespeare under the stars in the comfortable, elegant outdoor setting of Ewing Manor. This season's shows include: "Comedy of Errors," "Julius Caesar" and "Pericles.” Be sure to stroll through the Shakespeare Garden--a special collection of flowers and herbs from Shakespeare's plays just behind the Courtyard Stage. Call 309-438-8110 or toll free (outside Illinois): 866-IL-SHAKE for ticket information. Visit the Shakespeare Festival website for background on the shows, the staff and the performers.
Fourth of July Festivities
Miller Park – Bloomington – 5 – 8 p.m. with fireworks at dusk
Fairview Park – Normal -- noon to 5 p.m. with fireworks at dusk
July 4
You'll find plenty of entertainment and activities for folks of all ages to enjoy during the annual Fourth of July celebrations hosted by the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal. A Sky Concert by WJBC AM will accompany the fireworks displays at both parks.
State Farm Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament
Shirk Center, Illinois Wesleyan University
302 East Emerson Street, Bloomington, Illinois
July 8
Individuals and teams from across the country will participate this third annual folk-style wresting tournament. Awards will be presented to the top four teams in each division, and individual awards will be provided for each weight class in both Mens and Womens Divisions. For details and registration, call (800) 433-8226, or visit the tournament website.
Pedaling for Kicks
Ride starts at East White Oak Bible Church,
County Roads 1200 East and 2000 North, northwest of Normal, Illinois
July 8
The 8th annual benefit for Fellowship of Christian Farmers International offers five different route options, so everyone can participate. Each route includes food stops, and SAG support and a post-ride meal with activities and snow cones for the kids will be available. For registration and details, call 1-800-676-2353 or visit the Pedaling for Kicks website.
Sugar Creek Arts Festival
Downtown Normal, Illinois
July 8 – 9
Nearly 140 local, state and national artists and artisans will display and sell their work at this annual outdoor artfest. Live music, food concessions and children’s art activities are offered during the event. It's a great way to celebrate summer in Central Illinois and check out the progress of downtown revitalization in Normal! Visit the Sugar Creek link on the McLean County Arts Center website for details on artists.
Normal Parks & Recreation Summer Theatre
Normal Community High School
3900 E. Raab Road, Normal, Illinois
July 14 -16, 21 – 23 and 28 - 30 "Guys and Dolls”
Area students in grades 9 - 12 have provided outstanding theatrical entertainment since the early 1970s. Bring the family to watch talented young cast, crew and orchestra members in this great musical. Call (309) 454-9540 for more information.
Ice Cream Social
Comlara County Park
13001 Recreation Area Dr., Hudson, Illinois (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake)
July 15
Bring the family to Comlara Park for ice cream, soft drinks, children’s games, and entertainment by a barbershop quartet. For details on this and other special events, visit the McLean County Parks website.
“River City Air Expo” 2006 Prairie Air Show
Greater Peoria Regional Airport
Off I-474 on the southwest side of Peoria, Illinois.
July 21 - 23
The show is held in nearby Peoria and benefits Bloomington-Normal’s Prairie Aviation Museum, and several other Central Illinois non-profit groups. Performances will begin around noon on both days, and will feature the civilian formation aerobatic team, LIMA LIMA!, the Green Beret Parachute Team, a Saturday ONLY flyover by the B-2 Stealth Bomber, and a host of popular air show performers. Food, activities and static aircraft displays are also scheduled. Visit the Prairie Air Show website for ticket information or call the Prairie Aviation Museum at (309) 663-7632.
Forever Young - A Grownup's Night to Play
Children's Discovery Museum
101 E. Beaufort, Downtown Normal, Illinois
July 29
The museum will host a special night of fun—just for grownups! Try some science experiments and explore arts and crafts. Sample finger foods and beverages, and do some dancing in the Recollections Room. Play around in the exhibits and have a ball! Call Heather for ticket info at (309)433-3448. Visit the Children’s Discovery Museum website to see what’s in store.
2006 Pub Crawl
Various places in Downtown Bloomington, Illinois
July 29
If you like music, don’t miss this annual summer tradition in Downtown Bloomington. No matter what type of music you like, you can probably hear a band playing it at one of the numerous participating night spots and restaurants. For more information, check The Eagle Classic Rock website.
2006 McLean County Fair
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
August 2 - 6
This annual convergence of farm, family, food, and fun includes the largest 4-H fair in the country with exhibit projects ranging from livestock to model rockets. Visitors will learn about community groups, and enjoy bands, carnival rides and novelty acts. There will also be plenty of excitement with the PRCA Western Rodeo, demolition derby and tractor pull and local pickup truck pull-off events. Country music star Aaron Tippin and the Modern Cowboyz will be featured in free grandstand shows. For schedule and ticket info, visit the McLean County Fair website.
Hoop Skirts and Teacups
David Davis Mansion Historical Site
1000 East Monroe Drive, Bloomington
August 12
The Tea Ladies will host a fascinating tea and program highlighting women of the Civil War Era with excerpts from their letters and journals. Hear some amusing stories about hoop skirts and other feminine finery and sample a delightful repast! Get your reservations in quickly by calling (309) 827-2200. Visit the Tea Ladies’ website for more information about their special public programs held all year round at the David Davis Mansion.
Cultural Festival Weekend
Miller Park
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington
August 18 – 20
This local tradition highlights our community’s cultural diversity with ethnic food, music and dance, as well as a Gospel music celebration. The NEXT Stage talent showcase features up-and-coming performers from across the state.
Vendors and community organizations will be on hand, and the Children's Village will provide a wide range of activities. Festival admission is free, so bring the family. For details, visit the Cultural Festival website.
Sweet Corn Blues Festival
Downtown Normal, Illinois
August 26 - 27
Enjoy your fill at this great “music and munch” festival held in downtown Normal. The event features more than 16 tons of sweet corn cooked by a vintage steam engine and provides entertainment by some of the best blues bands in Central Illinois. It’s summertime fun at its buttery, bluesy best!
Day of the ‘Dozer
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
August 26
Kids who want to explore the wonderful world of BIG equipment can do so to their heart’s content at this annual fundraising event! More than 15 pieces of construction equipment and related vehicles will be available for rides, and other equipment will be set up for climbing. Concessions and T-shirts will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Community Cancer Center in Normal For more information, Visit the Day of the Dozer website or call Jackie Corrie at the Community Cancer Center at 309-451-8500.
McLean County Labor Day Parade
Downtown Bloomington to Miller Park
Bloomington, Illinois
September 4
The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly AFL-CIO hosts the annual parade which features local marching bands, labor unions and other organizations. The parade will line up at the intersection of Jefferson and Lee Streets and head to Miller Park to recognize the contributions of workers and their families.
Labor Day Jazz Concert
Historic Franklin Park
Corner of McLean and Chestnut Streets,
Bloomington, Illinois
September 4
Celebrate the Labor Day holiday with a late afternoon concert featuring the Heartland Jazz Orchestra at Franklin Park. Take a picnic, lawn chairs and your family and friends to enjoy the cool sounds and warm autumn weather in the park. It’s free! Call (309) 434-2260 for more information.
FlatCon 2006
The Interstate Center
2301 W. Market, Bloomington, Illinois
September 29 – October 1
FlatCon is a gaming extravaganza that offers something for everyone. Roleplaying, miniatures, board, and card games and tournaments from a wide variety of genres will be represented and demonstrated. Vendors will include Anime, gaming, fantasy gifts, and comics. More information is available online at the FlatCon website.
Haunted Trail
Constitution Trail, Normal
October 20, 21, 27, 28
Take a self-guided tour complete with scary characters, spooky sounds and creepy lighting. Kids 8 years old and up will have lots of fun. For younger children and their parents, the first two nights will feature non-scary sights and sounds. Call (309) 454-9540 for more information.
Ongoing:
Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market
Downtown Bloomington, Illinois
Saturday mornings through October
This season marks the 10th anniversary for the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market featuring area produce, flowers and related products each week. Local artists and artisans also have their work for sale as part of Artists’ Alley. Weather permitting, musical entertainment is also part of the mix around the Courthouse Square in historic Downtown Bloomington. For up-to-date information on special events and types of produce offered, check the Farmers Market website.
Trailside Farmers’ Market
Municipal parking lot between North St. and College Ave., Normal, Illinois
Tuesday evenings, through Mid October
The second annual downtown Normal Farmers’ Market will feature local vendors with fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and meats for sale. Booths will be set up right off the Constitution Trail. For additional information, check the Farmers’ Market link on the new Downtown Normal website.
ODDITIES! – or NOT?
McLean County Museum of History
200 North Main Street, Downtown Bloomington, Illinois
June 6 through September 24
An exhibit depicting both strange and ordinary items from the museum collections. You'll have to see it to believe it. Additional information is available at the Museum of History website or by calling (309) 827-0428.
Free Lunch Concerts
Downtown Bloomington, Illinois
Each Wednesday May 17 through August 16
Bring your lunch, your blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy concerts by a diverse array of bands and solo performers from this area. Performances are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and will feature Big Band sounds, country ballads, Caribbean, jazz, Dixieland and much more. All concerts will be held on the north side of the McLean County Museum of History—just look for the portable stage.
Funk’s Grove Stewardship Work Days
Sugar Grove Nature Center
4532 N. 725 East Road, McLean, Illinois
(south of Funks Grove off Old Route 66)
Every Other Saturday morning
June 3 through August 26
Learn more about the care and keeping of our nature preserves by participating in exotic species removal, seed collection and other land management projects. Don Schmidt, Illinois State University’s “Dean of Green” leads the group. If you can’t join this dedicated group of volunteers each time, that’s okay—just come whenever you can. For details, contact the Sugar Grove Nature Center, (309) 874-2174.
Twin City Stars Collegiate baseball team
The Twin City Stars are part of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL), one of only ten summer collegiate baseball leagues certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Home games rotate between Red Bird Field at Illinois State University and Jack Horenberger Field at Illinois Wesleyan University. For team roster, schedules and ticket information, visit the CICL website.
3rd Sunday Market
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
Third Sunday, May through October
If you like antiques, collectibles and crafts, this is the place to be on the third Sunday of each month from May through October. More than 450 dealers (with 300 booths inside the Center) set up rain or shine to display and sell thousands of items. For additional information, call (217) 202-2847 or visit the Third Sunday Market website.
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