| Event / Activity |
Date |
| Nickel Plate Railroad Exhibit |
May 27, June 16, July 4 & 21, August 18, and September 2 |
| Free Lunch Concerts |
Each Wednesday May 29 through August 21 |
| Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park Pow-wow |
May 31, June 1 & 2 |
| Old-Fashioned Barn Dance |
June 1 |
| Illinois Shakespeare Festival |
June 20 through August 11 (various dates during this period) |
| Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre |
June 7 - 9, 14 - 16, and 21 - 23 "Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!"
July 26 - 28, August 2 - 4, 9 - 11 "Li'l Abner"
|
| Glorious Garden Festival "Master Gardeners in the Garden" |
June 14 - 15: Garden Walk fundraiser featuring tours of select local gardens.
June 15: Free Garden Festival on the grounds of the Davis Mansion.
|
| Normal Parks & Recreation Summer Theatre |
June 20 - 23 and 27 - 30: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
July 18 - 21 and 25 - 28: "The Wiz"
|
| BEACH BLOWOUT & WACKY WATER OLYMPICS |
June 22
|
| Fourth of July Festivities |
July 4 |
| Sugar Creek Arts Festival |
July 13 - 14 |
| Amateur Softball Association Tournaments |
July - August |
| 2002 McLean County Fair |
July 26 - 31 |
| Cultural Festival Weekend (Corn Fest) |
August 23 - 25 |
| Sweet Blues / Sweet Corn Festival |
August 24 - 25 |
| Second Annual Harvest Bloom Festival |
September 6 -7 |
| Annual Fishing Contest |
through October 1 |
| 3rd Sunday Market |
3rd Sunday of every month |
| Heartland Jazz Orchestra |
last Thursday of every month |
| Discovery Walks |
ongoing |
Nickel Plate Railroad Exhibit
Miller Park
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Illinois
May 27, June 16, July 4 & 21, August 18, and September 2
The Central Illinois Railroad Club hosts the Nickel Plate Railroad steam engine #639 exhibit located near the north entrance to the park (off West Wood Street) from noon to 4 p.m. on the dates listed above.
 Free Lunch Concerts
North lawn of the McLean County Museum of History
Downtown Bloomington
Each Wednesday May 29 through August 21
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 1:15 p.m., and will feature Big Band sounds, country ballads, steel drums, Barbershop harmony, and much more. Stop by a downtown eatery and get lunch to go. Lunch may not be free, but the music is. If you watch closely, you might even see Abe Lincoln's toe start to tap!
Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park Pow-wow
Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy, Illinois
May 31, June 1 & 2
Bring the family and witness the colorful celebration of a proud heritage as members of the Kickapoo nation return to the site of their grand village in McLean County. Art and food vendors will be on hand for this outdoor event, which features renowned Native American performers from Canada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Call (309)-962-2700 or (309) 962-4106 or visit the new website: http://www.grandvillage.org
Old-Fashioned Barn Dance
Bill & Rhonda Friedrich Farm
16748 E 825 North Road, Bloomington (Crestwicke area south of Bloomington off Route 51 South)
June 1
Visit this working barn on a local family farm to join in Appalachian-style Big Circle dances, hoedown square dances and the popular Virginia Reel. The barn dance is sponsored by the McLean County Barn Group to promote awareness of barn preservation in McLean County. The dances are suitable for all ages and refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair and join the fun! Call (309) 827-7675 or (309) 452-8534 for detailed directions and additional information.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Ewing Manor
48 Sunset Road, Bloomington, Illinois
June 20 through August 11 (various dates during this period)
Get your tickets early for this Central Illinois tradition. It's the Bard at his best in a comfortable, but elegant outdoor setting. This season's shows are all crowd-pleasing favorites: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Merchant of Venice." Call 309-438-5806 or toll free (outside Illinois): 866-IL-SHAKE for ticket information. http://www.arts.ilstu.edu/shakespeare/
 Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre
Miller Park Bandshell
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Illinois
June 7 - 9, 14 - 16, and 21 - 23 "Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!"
July 26 - 28, August 2 - 4, 9 - 11 "Li'l Abner"
Local actors will be featured in two musicals presented free by the City of Bloomington. Come early and grab a seat in front of the bandshell, or bring your lawn chair or blankets and enjoy great outdoor theatre with your friends and neighbors. http://recweb.cityblm.org/Activities
 Glorious Garden Festival "Master Gardeners in the Garden"
David Davis Mansion Historical Site
1000 East Monroe Drive, Bloomington
June 14 - 15: Garden Walk fundraiser featuring tours of select local gardens.
June 15: Free Garden Festival on the grounds of the Davis Mansion.
Even if you don't have a "green thumb," you'll enjoy this special event that benefits the David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems. The McLean County Master Gardeners will be featured along with demonstrations, children's gardening activities and plenty of blooms and greenery. Call (309) 828-1084 for more information.
http://WWW.STATE.il.us/HPA/Sites/DavidDavis.htm OR http://gloriousgardens.tripod.com
Normal Parks & Recreation Summer Theatre
(Location to be announced)
June 20 - 23 and 27 - 30: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
July 18 - 21 and 25 - 28: "The Wiz"
Area students in grades 9 - 12 have provided outstanding theatrical entertainment since the early 1970s. Bring a picnic supper, some lawn chairs and the family to theatre performances showcasing talented young cast, crew and orchestra members. A fire in May destroyed the amphitheater at Maxwell Park, but Town of Normal officials say the show WILL go on with performances held in an alternate location in the community. Call (309) 454-9540 for more information.
BEACH BLOWOUT & WACKY WATER OLYMPICS
GLASENER BEACH at EVERGREEN LAKE
off I-39 North in rural Hudson
Comlara Park
June 22
Great Fun at the beach with lots of activities including raft races, water contests, beach balls, volleyball and more. All free with paid admission to Glasener Beach at COMLARA County Park.. Call (309) 726-2022 for more information
 Fourth of July Festivities
Miller Park - Bloomington
Fairview Park - Normal
July 4
You'll find food, fun, fireworks and plenty of activities for folks of all ages to enjoy during the annual Fourth of July celebrations sponsored by The City of Bloomington, The Town of Normal and State Farm Insurance. Sky Concert by WJBC AM will accompany the fireworks display.
 Sugar Creek Arts Festival
Downtown Normal
July 13 - 14
19th annual showcase for local, state and national artists and artisans to display and sell their work. A variety of entertainers will perform and food concessions are offered during the event. It's a great way to celebrate summer in Central Illinois!
Amateur Softball Association Tournaments
Maxwell Park Champion Fields
Parkside Road, Normal
July - August
If you enjoy exciting amateur softball, B-N is the place to be. Tournaments at the local, state and regional levels will be held in Normal during July and August. Visit the Bloomington-Normal Girls Softball Association website for schedules and other information about local teams and tournaments. http://www.bngsa.org/
 2002 McLean County Fair
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
July 26 - 31
This annual convergence of farm, family, food, and fun includes the largest 4-H fair in the country. More than 1,100 4-H members exhibit projects ranging from livestock to model rockets. Community groups are showcased, along with local bands, carnival rides and novelty acts. Special entertainment will include a demolition derby and a grandstand show by the nationally acclaimed country band Ricochet. Hosted by the McLean County Farm Bureau and the University of Illinois Extension-McLean County, this event has been a cooperative tradition since 1932. http://www.mcleancountyfair.org
Cultural Festival Weekend
Miller Park
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Illinois
August 23 - 25
This local tradition offers ethnic food, music and dance of many cultures, and a Gospel music celebration. Vendors and community organizations are on hand and a Children's Village area provides a wide range of activities.
 Sweet Blues / Sweet Corn Festival (Corn Fest)
Downtown Normal
August 24 - 25
You never know who will be at the annual Sweet Blues / Sweet Corn Festival held in downtown Normal. The event features more than 16 tons of sweet corn cooked by an old steam engine and provides entertainment by some of the best blues bands in Central Illinois. Keep an eye out for Captain Cornelius from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board!
Second Annual Harvest Bloom Festival
Downtown Bloomington
September 6 - 7
Celebrate fall and hometown heritage with this local street fair. Carnival rides, food, beer tent, and a street dance will be offered. Children's activities will also be featured on Saturday.
Annual Fishing Contest
Comlara County Park - Evergreen Lake
13001 Recreation Area Dr., (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
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 at http://www.mclean.gov/Parks.asp
3rd Sunday Market
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
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.
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 see http://www.hjojazz.com 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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