| Event / Activity |
Date |
| Prairie Fire Theatre Musical Review “I'll Be Seeing You” |
June 13-15 |
| Comlara Park Rendezvous |
June 14-15 |
| Normal Parks & Recreation Summer Theatre |
June 19, 21 - 22 and 26 - 29 "Footloose"
July 17 - 20 and 24 - 27 "Grease"
|
| Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre |
June 12 - 15, and July 19 - 22
"BIG, the Musical”
July 24 - 27, and July 31 - August 3
"Little Shop of Horrors”
|
| Illinois Shakespeare Festival |
June 20 through August 10
(various dates during this period) |
| Beach Blowout & Wacky Water Olympics |
June 21 |
| Eagle Radio Prairie Air Show |
July 5 - 6 |
| Fourth of July Festivities |
July 4 |
| Sugar Creek Arts Festival |
July 12 - July 13 |
| 2nd Annual Nothin' But The Blues Festival |
July 11 - 12 |
| Amateur Softball Association Tournaments |
July 29 - August 3 |
| 2003 McLean County Fair |
July 29 - Aug 3 |
| Antique Car Exhibition |
August 2 |
| Bloomington's National Night Out |
August 5 |
| Wings & Wheels |
August 9 - 10 |
| Cultural Festival Weekend |
August 15 - 17 |
| Sweet Blues, Sweet Corn Festival |
August 23 - 24 |
| Nature Photography Derby for All Ages |
September 20 |
|
Ongoing:
|
| Central Illinois Select Soccer |
Ongoing |
| Twin City Stars Collegiate baseball team |
Ongoing |
| 3rd Sunday Market |
June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19
|
|
A Sampling of Outdoor Summer Concerts
|
| The Dorians |
Mondays, June 30 - July 28 |
| Music Under the Stars |
Tuesdays, June 17 - August 12 |
| Free lunch concerts |
Wednesdays, June 18 - August 20 |
| Community Concert Band |
Thursdays, June 19 - July 31 |
Prairie Fire Theatre Musical Review “I'll Be Seeing You”
Memorial Student Center Main Lounge
Illinois Wesleyan University
104 E. University, Bloomington
June 13 - 15
The show was written by local music educators Lloyd Farlee and Robert Mangialardi and features a review of songs from the WWII era. The songs were made famous during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s and performed by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and others. For tickets call Anne Schade at 309-824-3047.
Comlara Park Rendezvous
Comlara County Park
13001 Recreation Area Dr., (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
June 14 - 15
An 1800s Mountain men encampment with historical demonstrations, free kids activities and much more. Call (309) 726-2022 for additional information.
Normal Parks & Recreation Summer Theatre
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
110 E. Mulberry St., Bloomington
June 19, 21 - 22 and 26 - 29 "Footloose"
July 17 - 20 and 24 - 27 "Grease"
Area students in grades 9 - 12 have provided outstanding theatrical entertainment since the early 1970s. Bring the family to theatre performances showcasing talented young cast, crew and orchestra members. Performances are being held in this alternate location this summer while the Maxwell Park amphitheatre is being rebuilt. Call (309) 454-9540 for more information.
 Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre
Miller Park Band shell
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington
June 12 - 15, and July 19 - 22
"BIG, the Musical”
July 24 - 27, and July 31 - August 3
"Little Shop of Horrors”
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 band shell, or bring your lawn chair or blankets and enjoy great outdoor theatre with your friends and neighbors. http://recweb.cityblm.org/Activities
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Ewing Manor
48 Sunset Road, Bloomington
June 20 through August 10 (various dates during this period)
Pack a picnic and enjoy the Green Show, then relax and take in Shakespeare under the stars in the comfortable, but elegant outdoor setting of Ewing Manor. This season's shows include: "King Lear," "As You Like It" and "The Knight of the Burning Pestle,” a comedy of manners by Francis Beaumont. You might also want to stroll in 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. http://www.thefestival.org
Beach Blowout & Wacky Water Olympics
Glasener Beach at Evergreen Lake in Comlara Park
Off I-39 North in rural Hudson
June 21
It’s a day of fun at the beach with lots of activities including raft races, water contests, beach balls, volleyball and more. Call (309) 726-2022 for more information.
Eagle Radio Prairie Air Show
Greater Peoria Regional Airport
Off I-474 on the southwest side of Peoria, Illinois.
July 5 - 6
Yes, this event IS in nearby Peoria… but it benefits Bloomington-Normal’s Prairie Aviation Museum. Aerobatic performances will begin at approximately 12:00 noon both days, and will include thrilling aerobatic demonstrations by the USAF Thunderbirds and great line-up of other air show performers. Static displays of various aircraft, simulators, and other exhibits, as well as food, drink and souvenir vendors will also be featured. Watch the skies for, too! Bring the family (attired in sunglasses, sunscreen and hats) along with folding chairs and umbrellas for shade. Visit the show website at http://www.prairieair.com for ticket 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. Runners will want to get up early to compete in the challenging point-to-point race jointly sponsored by the Lake Run Club and the park departments in B-N. The Park to Park Freedom 5-mile run will begin in Miller Park and conclude in Fairview Park. For registration information see http://www.lakerunclub.org.
 Sugar Creek Arts Festival
Downtown Normal
July 12 - July 13
Local, state and national artists and artisans have been coming here for 20 years 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!
2nd Annual Nothin' But The Blues Festival
The Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington
July 11 - 12
Don’t miss this great outdoor concert featuring 9 blues acts. The line-up includes performers from this area, as well as some outstanding talent from Louisiana, Texas, the West Coast and Chicago. Call (309) 820-0099 to order tickets.
http://www.nothinbutthebluesfestival.com
Amateur Softball Association Tournaments
Maxwell Park Champion Fields
Parkside Road, Normal
July 29 - August 3
The 2003 ASA 14U National Tournament will be held at Champion Fields. Get a look at 112 of the best teams from all over the country as they compete for the championship. Visit the Bloomington-Normal Girls Softball Association website for schedules and other information about local teams and tournaments.
http://www.bngsa.org
2003 McLean County Fair
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
July 29 - Aug 3
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. Community groups are showcased, along with local bands, carnival rides and novelty acts. There will also be plenty of excitement with the demolition derby and an in-line skating tournament for all age groups. American English, a popular Beatles tribute band, will also perform. Rumor has it that the new Twin City Storm semi-professional football team will play some mud football. 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
Antique Car Exhibition
David Davis Mansion State Historical Site
1000 E. Monroe Drive, Bloomington
August 2
This outdoor event and open house tour of one of Bloomington-Normal’s premiere historic sites steps forward in time to give visitors a look at the early history of the automobile in America. Exhibits will include early 20th-century automobiles, photographs, and automobile-related artifacts. Enjoy entertainment, food, and automobile rides.
Bloomington's National Night Out
Miller Park
August 5
Bloomington's National Night Out will be held from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at Miller Park. It's all free - food, games with prizes, Karaoke, police dog demonstration, bike rodeo, mini-golf, Hip Pocket playing at the bandstand, raffles, information on local anti-drug and anti-crime programs and much more! Representatives from all military branches will be present to collect any AT&T International Phone Cards the public would like to donate. The Red Cross will send these to our troops. Please see our Web site for more information and to volunteer. http://www.bloomingtonnationalnightout.com
 Wings & Wheels
Former terminal at the Central Illinois Regional Airport
Off Route 9 East, Bloomington
August 9 - 10
Join the celebration of the first 100 years of powered flight, the Ford Motor Company, and the Harley-Davidson motorcycle! Helicopter rides. Stearman bi-planes, vintage automobiles and motorcycles will all be part of this great family event. A Saturday Night Hangar party, Road Rally, as well as appearances by the Wright Brothers and a sneak preview of the new Joseph F. Warner Challenger Learning Center of Central Illinois will also be featured. A Children's Area will be presented by the Children's Discovery Museum. See the website at http://www.wingsnwheelsbn.com for ticket information and details on events and activities. (Photo courtesy of Connie Fetzer, Prairie Aviation Museum)
Cultural Festival Weekend
Miller Park
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington
August 15 - 17
This local tradition allows visitors to explore our community’s cultural diversity with 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
Downtown Normal
August 23 - 24
Enjoy your fill of great music and munching at the annual Sweet Blues, Sweet Corn 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!
Nature Photography Derby for All Ages
Comlara County Park - Evergreen Lake
13001 Recreation Area Dr., (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
September 20
Spend the day taking photographs in and around the park and Evergreen Lake. Winning photos will be displayed on the McLean County Parks & Rec website. For additional information, call (309) 726-2022.
Ongoing:
Central Illinois Select Soccer
Come to watch or get in the game with this local competitive traveling soccer league for ages 8 to adult. Check the website for further information at http://www.cis-soccer.org.
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 league website at http://www.ciclbaseball.com.
3RD SUNDAY MARKETS 2003
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19
More than 450 dealers offer antiques, crafts and collectibles at one of the biggest shows around. Food and drinks are available and there is plenty of free parking.
A Sampling of Outdoor Summer Concerts
The Dorians
ISU Campus Quad, Normal
Mondays, June 30 - July 28
7:00 PM
Free performance by Celtic band. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. In case of rain the performance will take place at the ISU Center for the Performing Arts.
More info: (309) 438-3838
Music Under the Stars
Miller Park Bandstand, Bloomington
Tuesdays, June 17 - August 12
8:00 PM
Free concerts, bring your lawn chair or blanket.
More info: (309) 434-2386
Free lunch concerts
Wednesdays, June 18 - August 2011:30 AM
Downtown Bloomington
More info: (309) 434-2386
Community Concert Band
Thursdays, June 19 - July 31
7:00 PM
Franklin Park, Bloomington
Bring your lawn chairs.
More info: (309) 434-2386
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