Anticipation is in the air with the end of the school year in sight — commencement ceremonies are May 8-9 at Indiana University and high school graduations are set for the end of May. So, as May begins, Bloomington has both celebrations of things accomplished and events offering people a chance to learn something new and different.
Whether it’s about a favorite country music star, attending a plant sale or checking out a local park, there’s something just for you — and many options are free of charge.
Second annual Dollyfest at IU
From 12:45 to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30, people are welcome to celebrate the end of the IU semester and explore IU students’ projects from an IU course that introduces students to cultural anthropology while studying country music star Dolly Parton. The class also has Instagram and TikTok accounts to share more about the culture of fandom — the good, the bad, the obsessed.
Dollyfest will take place at the IU Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. The students examined how stereotypes, fandoms and forms of pilgrimage shape the ways people connect to and make meaning with the world around them — whether it’s following Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift or some other celebrity.
Cream and Crimson Carnival
A little bit of Hollywood glitz and glammer will come to the Indiana University Bloomington campus 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 1, with the Cream and Crimson Carnival. Located at the Fine Arts Plaza by Showalter Fountain and IU Auditorium, the carnival will feature free rides and attractions, live performances, food and more.
The event is free for students and open to the public. Wristbands will be available upon arrival. All attendees must sign a waiver to participate. An adult must accompany anyone who is 18 years old or younger.
Check out the Spring Plant Sale on Saturday
Sycamore Land Trust’s fifth annual Spring Plant Sale, offering more than 40 species, will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Bloomingfoods Co-op Market East, 3220 E. Third St. The plants are grown in the land trust’s nursery from seed and plant plugs with many grown from local seed at nearby preserves. Plants will sell for $4 each with proceeds going back into nursery operations and native plant restoration projects. Stop by to browse and even ask questions of the staff and volunteers.
Free admission at state parks on Sunday
If getting away from crowds is more to your liking, then head to one of Indiana’s state park properties on Sunday, May 3, the second day of Welcome Weekend. As outdoor recreation season begins, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers free admission to its parks.
Close to Bloomington you’ll find the state’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek, near Spencer. A little farther east there’s Brown County State Park and a little south is Spring Mill State Park. Access to Lake Monroe properties also will be free of charge on Sunday — but be aware that with recent heavy rains some boat ramps and roads may be flooded.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little early
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Pili’s Taco Truck, Bloomington Brewing Company and art vendors of Twig & Ash from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3. It will be an afternoon filled with food, beer and unique local art. At taco eating contest begins at 5 p.m.
‘Coming to America’ concert
The Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble, a community-based group of area musicians, will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, May 4, at the Bloomington High School North auditorium, at 3901 N. Kinser Pike. Admission is free for the concert, which will feature Tom Walsh on saxophone, with Stephen W. Pratt conducting. Walsh is an IU professor and chair of the jazz studies department at Jacobs School of Music. Pratt is a professor of music emeritus at IU.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Dollyfest, Cream & Crimson Carnival among 6 things to do this weekend
Reporting by Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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