Media Contacts:

Downtown Bloomington, Inc.                                        Bloomington Area Arts Council

Talisha Coppock, 812.336.3681                                  Ed Vande Sande, 812.334.3100

or tcoppock@downtownbloomington.com                    or ed@artlives.org

 

Note to Editors: Images of past events are available from the Bloomington CVB; contact Tosha Daugherty at 812.330.4303 or tosha@visitbloomington.com for images.

 

One Weekend: Two Great Festivals

 

Enjoy locally and regionally created works of art at the Arts Fair on the Square,

plus experience live entertainment and unique, local flavors from over

40 Bloomington-area restaurants at Taste of Bloomington.

 

Bloomington, Ind. – Head for downtown Bloomington on June 21st for two great festival experiences in one fun-filled day! Bring the family and spend the day enjoying great food, live music, local and regional art, architecture and specialty shopping in the heart of Bloomington.

 

Arts Fair on the Square

Begin your day at the 28^th Annual Arts Fair on the Square, a Bloomington tradition featuring 60 local and regional artists and their creations, ranging from stained glass and pottery to original paintings and jewelry. Arts Fair on the Square takes place in the true heart of the Bloomington community, on the Courthouse lawn from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free and children’s activities will be available, so bring the entire family!

 

Enjoy lunch at one of Bloomington’s unique downtown eateries, featuring everything from simple sandwiches to true cultural adventures. Don’t forget to explore the downtown area’s art galleries and specialty shops as well. Arts Fair on the Square is sponsored by the Bloomington Area Arts Council. More information is available at www.artlives.org or by calling 812.334.3100.

Taste of Bloomington

Once you’ve had your fill of visual art, head on over to the 26^th Annual Taste of Bloomington for some live musical entertainment and food from dozens of Bloomington’s very best restaurants. The gates open and the live music begins at 3 pm, just two blocks from the Courthouse square at Showers Common (7^th & Morton Streets). Admission is $6 per person and children under 12 are free.     

 

 

 

Participating Restaurants & Menu Items

The Taste of Bloomington features many of Bloomington’s finest restaurants, wineries and brewpubs – these great flavors are why Bloomington was recognized as the “7^th fastest growing destination for wine and culinary enthusiasts” by Orbitz Travel Research in 2007. All food items are available for $3 or less and include traditional Hoosier favorites and international flavors including Middle Eastern, Thai, Greek, Italian, Mexican and Soul food specialties. Vegetarian options will also be available. Items will include:                                                      

           

            BBQ                                        grilled eggplant                   

            corn on the cob                        duck breast

            tuna steak                                 Massaman (a curry dish)

            Gyoza (pork & shrimp)             ice cream                           

            strawberry mint shortcake         smoothies

 

Bloomington is well-known for its great variety of local restaurants, ninety of which are located in the downtown area alone. The ethnic offerings are vast - the Taste of Bloomington will feature Middle Eastern, Thai, Greek, Italian, Mexican, Soul, Vegetarian foods and favorite ice cold drinks such as fruit smoothies.  The event also features locally produced wine from Oliver Winery and Butler Winery, local brews from the Bloomington Brewing Company and Upland Brewery and Best Beers Budweiser products.

 

Entertainment Schedule:

This year’s entertainment schedule includes a great line up of popular outdoor festival music:

     

            3 – 3:45 pm             Jenn Christy (rock and roll with a soulful edge)

            4:15 – 5:15 pm        The Ark Band (St. Lucian Reggae)

            5:45 - 7 pm              Polka Boy (polka with authenticity and kitsch)

            7:30 – 9 pm             Here Come the Mummies (funky mummies)

            9:30 – 11 pm           The Lee Boys (Sacred steel arts – gospel, R&B, blues, rock)

 

Special children’s activities will be available from 4 - 8 pm at the north side of the Showers Common.   Bloomington’s local science museum, WonderLab, will be on hand with staff and volunteers offering a variety of fun hands-on activities focusing on food and music.

A portion of the proceeds from Taste of Bloomington will go to benefit the Community Kitchen of Monroe County and the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. The event is co-sponsored by Downtown Bloomington Inc. and Bloomington Area Restaurant Association.

 

For more information on the Taste of Bloomington and an up to date list of participating restaurants, visit www.tasteofbloomington.com.  

 

For more information on upcoming events and activities in the Bloomington area, contact the Bloomington Visitors Center at 800.800.0037 or go to www.visitbloomington.com.

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