It's Your Business: Downtown offers events for all ages, from comedy to markets, music to art
Summer is here offering a little slower pace to welcome you to experience downtown Bloomington. Enjoy a walk to check out some of the special events, attractions and new businesses. The weather forecast for this weekend is clear and sunny. It is the perfect time to come downtown.
Bloomington is putting its best foot forward with plenty of art, food, music and fun for all. Kicking off the weekend on Friday, June 3, is the Fourth and Rogers Block Party from 5 to 9 p.m. with family friendly art and activities. Also experience the full Gallery Walk offering one mile of original art in 14 galleries stretching from the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts to the Indiana University Cook Center for Public Art right inside the Sample Gates. Not to miss on Kirkwood is the new CLASH Gallery. Later in the evening is local favorite comedian Mat Alano-Martin at the Comedy Attic on Friday and Saturday evening.
Take this opportunity to stay overnight in a downtown hotel for a mini- vacation. With seven hotels and the charming boutique Grant Street Inn centered in walking distance of restaurants and events it is a perfect Staycation weekend.
On Saturday morning roll out of bed, grab breakfast and check out the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market located at Showers Common from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features locally sourced food from the farmer who grew it as well as coffee and delicious freshly baked goods.
A quick trip across the square is the Bloomington Handmade Market on East Kirkwood Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features indie artists and crafters from all over the Midwest. This is a juried show focusing on quality, unusual work that you don’t often see at traditional craft fairs.
Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis to town offering the community children’s games and activities, food trucks music and speakers at the Monroe Convention Center from 3 to 5 p.m. in the west lot off the B-Line Trail.
The multi-day, multi-venue and multi- partner festival Granfalloon is bringing people together to celebrate and learn is brought to us by IU Arts and Humanities Council and the IU Writers Conference. The festival features multiple readings, author signings and a main stage outside concert of local and international performances on Kirkwood Avenue beginning at 5 p.m. This is a special opportunity fueled by the welcoming outreach and partnership with Indiana University and the community to bring this level of multifaceted experience to town.
There are many options to get to and around downtown but if you drive or bike you are encouraged to try the new parking garage at Fourth and Walnut. It is new, clean, bright and so easy to use. It is only 50 cents an hour for covered parking. Entering off Fourth Street the directional signage is easy to understand, it is easy to park and it is easy to check out. There is plenty of protected bike parking, lockers and public restrooms.
For more information, contact info@downtownbloomington.com.
Talisha Coppock is executive director of Downtown Bloomington Inc.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Downtown Bloomington events offer comedy, music, art, markets
