Townie summer is about to begin, but first is a weekend of celebrations. With Indiana University graduation Friday and Saturday and Mother’s Day on Sunday, you might have enough planned, but Bloomington wants to entice you to go out anyway.
Avoid the graduation crowds by taking the littles to see some antique machines (and a bunch of other cool stuff) or out to Lake Lemon for a day of music in support of the lake’s conservation district. You can also join the fray by heading to campus for a family-friendly outdoor concert.
Here are five things happening this weekend in Bloomington.
Kick off summer with an outdoor concert
On Thursday, May 8, the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 416 N. Indiana Ave., invites you to kick off summer with a free outdoor concert.
Music at the Museum features local artists including Rain on the Rocks, Welby June, and Prairie Scout.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., the first 40 guests will get a $5 voucher to spend at Pili’s Party Taco, which will be parked on site. Activities include bubble blowing materials, sidewalk chalk, interactive stations where you can make your own instruments and dancing twirlers. You can also learn to play the “spouting bowl,” a Chinese folk instrument. All ages. Free.
Tractors, machines and vendors at the fairgrounds
Whether you have a fondness for old machines or a child obsessed with tractors, or you just want to get in a pre-summer groove, this weekend’s Monroe County Antique Machinery Association Spring Tractor Show promises lots of chugs and hoots.
Last year’s show had nearly 100 antique tractors, a steam engine, a working shingle sawmill and pedal tractors, dump trucks and vintage cars, according to a post-event report in the Limestone Post.
There will also be a vendor market, food and plenty of other things to see and do 2-9 p.m. Friday, May 9, and continuing 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road. $5 per car. All ages.
Americana and bluegrass on Lake Lemon
Avoid graduation traffic by heading to Lake Lemon Saturday for the Riddle Point Boogie, happening 2-10 p.m. May 10.
The one-day festival headlined by Armchair Boogie brings together the best of Americana and bluegrass music for an unforgettable experience — all while supporting the conservation of Lake Lemon. There will be vendors, beer, live painting and fishing, camping and boating at Riddle Point Park, 7599 Tunnel Road, Unionville. Gates open at noon.
Full lineup and tickets at clearvibestickets.com/event/riddle-point-boogie/. General admission is $45 and children under 9 are admitted free.
Locally harvested, locally grown native plants
Go native and support Sycamore Land Trust this Saturday, May 10, during the Spring Plant Sale. Proceeds support Sycamore’s native plant nursery and habitat restoration projects in southern Indiana nature preserves.
Over 40 native plant species, grown from locally harvested seed by the staff and volunteers of Sycamore’s Native Plant Nursery, will be available. Approximately 2,500 plants will be sold for $4 each. All plants are inspected by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology before the sale.
Talk with experienced gardeners about creating a native habitat on your property from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or while supplies last at the Bloomingfoods East Parking Lot, 3220 E. Third St.
Special chance to watch jazz quintet recording session
If you’ve ever wondered about the live music recording environment, you may be able to score a seat at the Saturday, May 10, live studio recording session at Jefferson St. Music Studio, 2051 Fountain Drive.
Led by French-Canadian musician Jony Perron, JonyP quintet is not your typical jazz quintet. With a modern, groovy approach to old jazz standards, spiced with Latin flavors and sprinkled with mesmerizing solos, this musical experience will forever be engraved in your memories.
This will be a listening room environment, and everything will be recorded live starting at 8 p.m. Seating is limited to 30. Call 812-272-5539 to inquire and reserve a seat. $15.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Antique tractor show, Lake Lemon bluegrass concert this weekend near Bloomington
Reporting by Jill Bond, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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