McLean County Fair
Bloomington is the county seat of McLean County, the largest and most prosperous county in downstate Illinois farming territory, and as such hosts the McLean County Fair, a particularly durable example of the county-fair genre. Fairgrounds are on the west side of town just off the interstate. Vast quantities of livestock on display, if you're into that sort of thing, with other Midwestern things to see/do/eat. Check locally for dates, typically in early August.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The well-reviewed Illinois Shakespeare Festival (http://www.thefestival.org/) is associated with ISU and runs from late June until early August, with multiple performances of usually three of the Bard's plays. Performances are on the grounds of Ewing Manor in east Bloomington, and can include pre-show picnics on the lush grounds. Tickets are $20 and up for one performance, with package deals and various discounts available.
Community Players Theatre
It is one of the oldest community theatres completely staffed by volunteers. Community Players has been able to present many shows shortly after their Broadway run and, on many occasions, presented the first amateur production of these shows in the United States. It is a not-for-profit community theatre dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Contact the Box Office 309/663-2121 or Website www.communityplayers.org for information about their current season.
Wave Wall
Bloomington is home to one of the nation's best indoor climbing gyms, Upper Limits. Upper Limits has over 20,000 square feet of climbing area. Built in a set of old grain elevators, this is a great indoor climbing gym. The climbing includes: 65' tall silo routes, a 30' main room with plenty of overhanging climbing including the Wave Wall with at least three lead-only routes, slab routes, a climbing cave, training area, 110' outdoor routes, and an outdoor bouldering area. Route difficulties ranges from 5.5 to 5.13-, with boulder from V0 to V6+.
Illinois State University
(http://www.ilstu.edu). illinois state university is illinois' first public university. the town of normal grew up around this school, long a teachers college and formerly known as "illinois state normal university" a "normal" school being one dedicated to educating teachers. it expanded enormously in the 1960s and is now a major university. the basketball program is strong, although most other sports are at the 1-aa "sub-major" level. a trivium: the watterson towers complex on campus is, at nearly 300 feet high, the tallest college dormitory in the world.
Illinois Wesleyan University
(http://www2.iwu.edu/home.shtml). considerably smaller and more selective than its neighbor, with strong liberal-arts programs. illinois wesleyan often appears on lists of the nation's best "regional" small colleges.
Lincoln College-Normal
An extension of Lincoln College-Lincoln offering bachelors and associates degrees.