BLOOMINGTON
COMMUNITY M GUIDE 2024 2
Celebrations span throughout the year
Summer nights with live music at Normandale Lake , church festivals and winter recreation programs are among the many ways Bloomington residents can gather together throughout the year .
One of the city ’ s largest celebrations is its annual Summer Fete , a one-day celebration to honor Independence Day . This year Summer Fete is Wednesday , July 3 .
From the Normandale Lake Bandshell to the intersection of Normandale Boulevard and 84th Street , a family fun zone , entertainment and music on the bandshell ’ s main stage precede fireworks at dusk .
Summer is a busy time in Bloomington parks . The city has several Monday morning programs for children , and the Normandale Lake Bandshell is host to musical entertainment many Tuesday and Thursday nights , with Thursday night performances featuring food trucks and a beer vendor . The city also hosts a variety of Sunday entertainment options during the summer .
September brings the start of a new school year , and for a decade it also brought Heritage Days . The annual September celebration began in 2010 and has included a parade , live music , children ’ s games and activities , a petting zoo and a car show . The full festival has yet to resume since being suspended in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic . Plans are to resume the festival in 2025 . Information is available online at bloomingtonheritagedays . org .
Winter brings the annual Winter Fete , a celebration of Minnesota ’ s coldest months . Winter Fete activities have included outdoor competitions , indoor open ice skating , ice fishing tutorials , winter activities at Pond-Dakota Mission Park and the annual Ice Harvest Festival at Richardson Nature Center . Activities are planned over several weekends from December through February .
Other annual events in the city include a city-organized Halloween trail and a Halloween night party sponsored by the Bloomington Optimist Club . The club also hosts an annual egg hunt each spring at the Normandale Lake Bandshell on the morning before Easter . More information at bloomingtonoptimists . org .
Information about city festivals and special events is available through the city ’ s website , bloomingtonmn . gov , or by calling Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 952-563- 8877 .
Bloomington Community Guide | 2024 | 21