Events

Bloomington-Normal Pridefest 2025 Saturday, July 26, 2025 Downtown Bloomington 4pm - 10:30pm Hometown Favorite and American Idol Finalist Leah Marlene will be the main stage entertainment at 7pm! Over 100 vendors, food trucks, beverage vendors, local LGBTQIA+ resources & businesses, and more coming together in BloNo!

Day of the Dozer Saturday, September 6, 2025 McLean Co. Fairgrounds 10am - 4pm Over the years, more than 12,000 kids have attended this one-of-a-kind event! On this day, the kids will be in the driver's seat and actually drive dozers, excavators, and other heavy equipment with a professional operator at their side. Additional farming, construction and Emergency vehicles will be on exhibit, plus the world's largest sandbox and other kid friendly activities. Food, refreshments, and souvenirs will be available. Tickets for kids are available for purchase now for $10 each. (No ticket required for adults.) One ticket gives admission to drive all machines, for the entirety of the event. No limit on individual machine rides. Admission also includes a souvenir 'Hard Hat'. Proceeds will benefit the "Stay 4" Project; a local initiative designed to address the high school drop-out crisis and help low-income students that demonstrate the ability to succeed yet are at risk of dropping out. 

Big. Bad. Bruegala Saturday, October 4, 2025 Downtown Bloomington 3 - 9pm Bruegala is BACK, but this year it’s BIGGER and BADDER than before! Join us for a fun & frightful evening of family-friendly activities 3-6pm and spookier, adult fun from 6-9pm as we sip on bubbly brews from dozens of breweries & wineries, jam out to live music in the moonlight, and sink our teeth into food truck eats in Museum square, Downtown Bloomington, IL. Bruegala focuses on giving back to Bloomington-Normal by hosting a fun, annual event that brings the community together. This event is completely run by volunteers through the Bloomington-Normal Jaycees and has raised over $275,000 for local organizations over the past 25 years. Proceeds this year will benefit: ***Providing Access to Help (PATH) Funds raised will support PATH Pals, a suicide prevention puppet show initiative provided at no cost to schools throughout McLean County. This program is designed to promote early intervention and reduce stigma around mental health by providing education is a way that is accessible, supportive, and developmentally appropriate. ***Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) Funds raised will go to the Bloomington office to support individuals and families facing significant legal issues threatening their basic human needs such as safety, housing, and access to medical care. ***Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Funds raised will help this young persons’ leadership and personal development organization with annual community events such as the Winter Holiday Parade, Doggie Easter Egg Hunt, and future Bruegala beer festivals.