| Event / Activity |
Date |
| Funk's Grove Maple Sirup |
February through March |
| Blue Moon Coffeehouse concerts |
March 9, April 19, & May 18 |
| Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament |
March 15-17 |
| 44th Annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale |
March 16-17 |
| American Passion Play |
Mar 16, 23-24, April 6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27 |
| Late Night Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt |
March 22 |
| Town of Normal Easter Egg Hun |
March 23 |
| Scavenger Hunt |
March 25, 28, 29 |
| Annual Fishing Contest |
April 1 through October 1 |
| Quilt Spectrum 2002 |
April 13 -14th |
| Illinois Symphony Orchestra |
April 26 |
| Lake-Fest |
May 11 |
| Keep the Bloom in Bloomington Festival |
May 18 |
| 3rd Sunday Market |
May 19 |
| Eyestone One-Room School |
ongoing |
| Heartland Jazz Orchestra |
ongoing |
| Discovery Walks |
ongoing |
 Funk's Grove Maple Sirup
Old Route 66 (15 miles south of Bloomington)
Funks Grove, Illinois
February through March
In the early spring visitors can see how maple sirup (spelled the old-fashioned way) is made in the majestic McLean County timber of Funk'sGrove. A local tradition since the early 1920s when travelers on the new 'hard road' stopped to enjoy Hazel Funk Holmes' tasty sirup. Call 309-874-3360 for hours and visitor information. Click here for more details.
Blue Moon Coffeehouse concerts
Illinois Wesleyan University Memorial Student Center
104 East University Street, Bloomington
March 9 - Kris Delmhorst
April 19 - Patti Larkin
May 18 - Phil Ochs Song Night
Relax and enjoy free acoustic music concerts by nationally known performers. Coffee, tea and desserts are available for a nominal fee. For more information on shows and performers call (309) 556-3815.
 Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament
Illinois State University, Normal & Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington
March 15-17
Watch nearly 1,000 athletes from all over Illinois compete in men's, women's and junior division basketball. Opening ceremonies will be held at 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, at Illinois State University's Horton Fieldhouse. Cheer on the athletes as they demonstrate their skills, and thrive on the joy of teamwork, self-esteem, and friendship by participating in Special Olympics. Special Olympics programs are sponsored throughout the state for children and adults with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Call (309) 888-2551 or (800) 394-0562 for schedule information.
** Special Olympics Illinois is also looking for volunteers to help with the Basketball Tournament. Volunteers are needed to work in different shifts during the tournament, and must be at least 10 years old. For details, call Special Olympics Illinois at 309-888-2551 or 1-800-394-0562. Volunteers will receive a Special Olympics Illinois T-shirt and take part in an inspiring event that celebrates the accomplishments of others.
 44th Annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
March 16-17
It's an amazing array of food, fun and great "finds" that raises money each year to provide food and other relief for people in the United States and in 50 countries around the world. The sale features art and handcrafts, a Butcher Shop and Dutch Market, as well as famous strawberry pies and a grand auction of donated items. 20 percent of the proceeds are distributed annually to local relief agencies that provide food to needy families in Central Illinois. For additional information, e-mail drroth@mtco.com or call (309) 266-7704.
American Passion Play
Scottish Rite Temple
110 East Mulberry Street, Bloomington
Mar 16, 23-24, April 6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27
A Bloomington tradition since 1923, the American Passion Play portrays the
life of Jesus Christ in a remarkable theatrical pageant produced and
performed by volunteers using the original script by Delmar Darrah. Call
(309) 829-3903 or (800) 354-9640 for ticket information.
Click here for more details.
Late Night Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Miller Park Pavilion
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Illinois
March 22
Bring the family and the flashlights to the park after dark for a fun evening of hunting Easter Eggs. Eggs filled with candy and prizes will be hidden in various locations, so bring along a bag to collect goodies. Advance registration is required by March 20. Call (309) 434-2732 or visit the RecWeb site.
Town of Normal Easter Egg Hunt
Champion Fields at Maxwell Park
Parkside and Gregory Streets, Normal, Illinois
March 23
The Town's annual Easter Egg Hunt for children 12 and under is held at the Champion Fields softball complex in Maxwell Park on Normal's west side. Easter Games will be featured and, of course, kids get to collect Easter eggs, so don't miss out on the good time! Call (309) 454-9540 for details.
Scavenger Hunt
David Davis Mansion Historical Site
1000 East Monroe Drive, Bloomington
March 25, 28, 29
Children are invited to visit the historic home of Supreme Court Justice David Davis for a Scavenger Hunt during spring break. Strange objects that do not belong to the house will be placed in various locations, and those who spot the mysterious items will win a prize! Call (309) 828-1084 for more information.
Click here for more detials.
Annual Fishing Contest
Comlara County Park - Evergreen Lake
13001 Recreation Area Dr., (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
April 1 through October 1
If you like to fish for Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Saugeye (Walleye Hybrid) at Evergreen Lake, be sure to enter the Annual Fishing Contest. For rules and other information, call 309-726-2022 or visit the website.
 Quilt Spectrum 2002
"That's Not Your Grandmother's Quilt"
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, IL
April 13 -14th
This annual show is hosted by the Hands All Around Quilt Guild and will highlight quilts created with contemporary tools and fabrics, using traditional patterns from the past. Quilts made by talented individuals from all over the area will be on display, and gift items and quilting supplies will be available for purchase. A quilt raffle and silent auction will be featured at the event, as well as mini workshops and quilting demonstrations. Click here for more details.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra
Friends and Mentors-Masterworks V
Braden Auditorium, Illinois State University, Normal
April 26
Come hear featured performer and B-N native Awadagin Pratt at the piano. This concert will also feature the premiere of "Fanfare to Friendship," a piece commissioned and written especially for the ISO.
Lake-Fest
Comlara Park
Evergreen Lake boat rental marina area
13001 Recreation Area Dr., (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
May 11
Come celebrate Evergreen Lake and its many recreational opportunities at the second annual Lake-Fest! Sponsored by McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation, the day will include an electroshocking demonstration, bass stocking, pontoon rides, a children's area with games, fish crib making, the dedication of the accessible dock, and door prizes. Representatives from a variety of conservation and ecology groups will be on hand to share information, and refreshments will be available. The event is free to all.
 Keep the Bloom in Bloomington Festival
Downtown Bloomington
May 18
Celebrate spring in Downtown Bloomington! Come see the colorful array of plantings in our giant flowerpots and join us for the dedication of the gardens and landscaping at Mayors Manor. High school rock bands will compete in a battle of the bands, and the McLean County Humane Society will sponsor a Dog Walk. Food will be available along with fun for all ages! Call (309) 829-9599 for more information.
3rd Sunday Market
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
May 19
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 (309) 452-7926.
 Eyestone One-Room School
Illinois State University
Near the corner of Adelaide Street and College Avenue in Normal
Schedule a visit to the past at the Eyestone School Museum. This restored one-room schoolhouse is complete with old-fashioned wooden desks, McGuffey Readers, slates, and a coal stove. Families can enjoy a peaceful spring picnic under the trees, and the site offers an excellent field trip opportunity for schools, scouts or church groups. Open by reservation. Admission is free. Call (309) 438-5415.
Heartland Jazz Orchestra
The Coffee House & Deli
114 East Beaufort, Normal , Illinois
The Heartland Jazz Orchestra performs on the last Thursday of every month. Concerts feature some of the finest musicians in Central Illinois along with regional and national artists and present a variety of jazz experiences. Call 309-452-6774 or Click here for schedule.
Discovery Walks
Ecology Action Center
202 W. College Ave., Normal
Group programs scheduled by appointment for your convenience
Children aged 4 - 6 can explore the wonderful world of nature by learning about flowers and wildlife. This could be a unique idea for a birthday party, too! Outdoor Ecology programs offer advanced levels of information and activities for those aged 7 and up. For a self-guided experience, stop by the center and pick up a guide to local trees. Call (309) 454-3169 for more information. or click here.
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