It's fall in Bloomington — time for festivals, live music, outdoor films and more
This last full week of summer shimmers with plenty of autumnal things to do. Live music falls into place at the Bishop and the Orbit Room. There's a dance party at the Back Door and an outdoor movie at Karst Farm Park. National Hispanic Heritage Month — Fiesta del Otoño 2022 comes to Switchyard Park, as does a glowing scavenger hunt after dark. And to prove that fall really is next week, two fall festivals, one in Greene and one in Monroe County are ready for fun-seekers.
Monroe County Fall Festival is back: "22 and Brand New"
An Ellettsville celebration that draws people from all over Monroe County and beyond is one way to celebrate fall this year after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The Monroe County Fall Festival is Thursday through Saturday at Marci Jane Lewis Park, 106 S. Park St. in Ellettsville. Thursday and Friday hours are: 5-9 p.m.; Saturday's are 1-9 p.m. The parade starts at noon on Saturday. There will be commercial and food vendors as well as people selling crafts, games and more. A flea market is a new addition that will fill up one of the park's baseball diamonds. Live performances will be held every day and will include the queen contest at 7:15 p.m. Thursday; Derrick Weidner and Olivia Doyle, Corey Hunter, Hank Ruff, Rose O'Neal and Jake Dodds on Friday and M.S. Cloggers, High Sierra, Brian Smoot and the Summit Band, The Rotations Band and Rick Hardesty on Saturday. For more, go to monroecountyfallfestival.com.
Ridgefest in Greene County
Ridgefest is 1-10 p.m. Saturday at Fowler Pumpkin Patch, 4932 N. Greene County Line Road. The music festival features All Access Band, Sadie Johnson and Nick Harless & Soulshaker and Cody Ikerd & The Sidewinders. Gates open at 1 p.m. with music starting at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Fowler Pumpkin Patch is one of south-central Indiana's favorite fall destinations, with a you-pick pumpkin patch, hayrides, a precision-cut corn maze, decorations, petting zoo and a barrel train (a ride made with barrels).
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Dose Rose with Street Pennies blues, funk, rock band
Dose Rose with Bloomington's Street Pennies, "a band for the people," will perform at 9 p.m. Thursday at The Bishop, 123 S. Walnut St. Tickets are $5. Visit thebishopbar.com. Street Pennies band members had something in common before they got together to play: love of blues. They've expanded their repertoire to include funk and rock. Their consistent priorities? Jamming and having fun. Ollie Grcich and Lucas Hallal sing; Mason Bose and Johnathan Hasey play guitar; Michael Carter is on keyboards; Jack Wanninger plays bass, Nate Cook saxophone. Must be 21.
National Hispanic Heritage Month — Fiesta del Otono 2022
National Hispanic Heritage Month — Fiesta del Otoño 2022 is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St. Admission is free to the family-friendly event. Bloomington celebrates its 17th annual Fiesta del Otoño to honor National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, nationally recognized each year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Follow Bloomington’s Latinos Programs Facebook page, at facebook.com/LatinoBTown to learn more.
Jim White with guest John Dehner at the Orbit Room
"It ain't cool spreadin' rumors," sings musician and artist Jim White. See him and special guest John Dehner at 7 p.m. Friday at the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave. for $12 (plus $1 service fee). White sings about politics and what seems to be going on in today's America ("Whatever happened to that America?") Visit https://orbit-room.square.site/. Find White at jimwhitemusic.net.
'Trolls' to invade Karst Farm Park
They're little — and overflow with color and joy. The trolls spend their days singing, dancing and embracing. Secret plots and diligent planning save the day for trolls in this film. Enjoy both the musical movie "Trolls" (2016) and a late summer's eve in Karst Farm Park, 2450 S. Endwright Road, at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.) Friday. At 7 p.m. the pre-movie activities begin. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Parental guidance is recommended.
Dance party at The Back Door
The Back Door, 207 S. College Ave., hosts DJ Swing Latino for a night of dancing starting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Bar opens at 7 p.m. and the dance begins at 10 p.m. Must be 21; masks are encouraged. Management asks patrons to tip performers and bartenders.
It's dark in the park: Switchyard Park scavenger hunt
Something glows. It's dark outside. Go find it! At 8:30 p.m. Friday test your skills at finding stuff after the sun sets at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. It's open to all, so wear your glow-in-the-dark outfit and look for glowing clues throughout the park. If you solve the puzzle you'll win a prize. A welcome table will be outside the Switchyard Park Pavilion. Preregistration is not required and the cost is $3 per person for ages 5 years and older. Children younger than 5 play for free. For more information, contact Bill Ream at 812-349-3748 or reamw@bloomington.in.gov.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington, Indiana this weekend: Music, movies, more
