“See” listings
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Apple and Pork Festival
Feast on homemade ham and beans, a tender pork chop or ham sandwich, or the countless other pork- and apple-based food options before browsing through hundreds of craft, antique and arts vendors on the homestead grounds and throughout town at this 43-year-old festival. Sept. 24-25. (09/2011)
At C.H. Moore Homestead 219 E Woodlawn St, Clinton
217- 935-6066
chmoorehome...le-pork.htm -
Comlara Park
Pitch a tent and stay the weekend or just pack a picnic for a day of communing with nature in this rural 2,200-acre park. There are 10-plus miles of wooded trails for hiking and biking, and 900-acre Evergreen Lake—home to Glasener Beach—is stocked with prize largemouth bass. (08/2011)
13001 Recreation Area Dr, Hudson
309-434-6770
mcleancountyil.gov/parks -
Fabulation
This riches-to-rags tale by Lynn Nottage is about a high-profile career woman who loses her job and returns to the projects where she grew up. Staged by local New Route Theatre company as part of a one-year run—dubbed “Corn Rose Theatre”—where it brings plays-in-the-making and established plays to the intimate setting of artist Herb Eaton’s gallery the second Wednesday of each month. July 13. (08/2011)
At Eaton Studio Gallery 411 N Center St, Bloomington
309- 828-1575
eatonstudiogallery.com -
Illinois State University Horticulture Center
Enjoy all the beauty that early summer in Central Illinois has to offer by strolling among flowers, vegetables and native trees in themed gardens on these 10 acres. If you feel like getting your hands dirty, join the volunteers who maintain the grounds. (06/2011)
W Raab Rd, Normal
309-438-3496
horticultur...isstate.edu -
Grady’s Family Fun Park
Endless fun for all ages abounds here. Warm up at the batting cages, take a ride on a Go-Kart or bumper boat, play miniature golf or spin on a carnival ride. Feeling hungry? Grab a slice of pizza and finish off with a hot-fudge sundae. (06/2011)
1501 Morrissey Dr, Bloomington
309- 662-3332
gradysfunpark.com -
Abraham Lincoln Audio Tour
Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law in Bloomington- Normal, revisits his favorite Twin City sites in this audio tour written and narrated by local Lincoln impersonator James Keeran. Stops include the law office where Normal founder Jesse Fell suggested Lincoln run for president and the Miller-Davis Building, where Honest Abe practiced law. The tour is available for $20 at the McLean County Museum of History. (03/2011)
17 Twin City sites
mchistory.org -
Upper Limits Indoor Rock Gym & Pro Shop
With five 65-foot silos, a 110- foot outdoor wall, a multilevel bouldering cave and more, this climbing gym offers more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor surfaces to scale, making it one of the largest in North America. (03/2011)
1304 W Washington St, Bloomington
309-829-8255
upperlimits...bloomington -
CHRISTMAS AT CLOVER LAWN
Antique dolls and toys, hundreds of 19thcentury paper and glass ornaments and more than 15 decorated trees help bring Christmas past alive at this 1872 mid-Victorian mansion. Visitors can even sample a period favorite: chocolate cockroaches. Tours are available Wednesdays through Sundays this month. (12/2010)
1000 E Monroe Dr, Bloomington
309-828-1084
daviddavismansion.org -
MADRIGAL DINNERS 2010
Eat, drink and be merry at this 55th annual Illinois State University School of Music and School of Theater event. It features traditional and contemporary madrigal-style singing from various university choirs. Dec. 6-9, 14-15. (12/2010)
100 N University St, Normal
309-438-5444 -
THE BABY FOLD’S FESTIVAL OF TREES
You’re sure to get in the holiday spirit at this annual event, where you’ll see dozens of custom-designed, decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces—all for sale to the highest bidder. Don’t miss the gingerbread houses or cookie store. Nov. 11-14. (11/2010)
101 S Madison St, Bloomington
309-434-2843
festoftrees.org -
EVERGREEN CEMETERY DISCOVERY WALK 2010
Local actors bring the past to life when they portray Central Illinois’ significant former residents at this October event. Characters include a suffragist, a Civil War soldier, a cigar maker and a meatpacking maven. Oct. 9-10. (10/2010)
302 E Miller St, Bloomington
309-827-0428
mchistory.org -
HENNEPIN CANAL
This 104.5-mile linear state park spans five counties and offers virtually everything an outdoor lover would want: camping, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and picnic and playground areas. (09/2010)
102 miles northwest of Bloomington Sheffield, IL
815-454-2328
dnr.state.il.us
