Things to do in Bloomington: Book fair, ice skating, Lake Monroe cleanups
What says fall more than a good book or challenging puzzle, the opening of the city's ice rink, creepy movies and cleaning up from a fun-filled summer? The season is in full swing and Bloomington has plenty of ways to embrace it. Here's a sample of what you can do to celebrate community this week in Bloomington.
Stock up on winter essentials: Hoosier Hills Food Bank's annual book fair starts Thursday
This cooler weather has us thinking about fuzzy blankets, hot cocoa, and cozy slippers. Get ready to stay inside by picking up some entertainment at the 39th annual Community Book Fair, open Thursday through Oct. 17 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
More than 100,000 items — books, games, puzzles, comics, stamps, coins, DVDs, CDs, records and tapes — will be available to purchase. The selection includes children’s, rare, horror and science fiction titles. Food trucks will serve on several days. Free admission everyday except Thursday.
Bring a non-perishable food donation for Hoosier Hills Food Bank and receive a $1 book buck coupon. Kids younger than 18 who bring a food donation will receive a free book.
Each day has special activities:
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 12: $10 admission with veterans and active duty military admitted free on Veteran’s Appreciation Day. Monroe County Veteran’s Services will have an info table. Join the 8:30 a.m. welcome ceremony for “Ruby,” Hoosier Hills Food Bank’s new truck. Food truck: Little Bowl Thai.
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 13: Free spooky T-shirt when you spend $50 while supplies last. Food truck: Pili’s Party Taco.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 15: Heroes Day. All items half-price. Meet Monroe Fire District firefighters. Food truck: Little Bowl Thai.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14: Free Curious George Haunted Halloween book for kids while supplies last. Food truck: Arepa Burger.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 16: Fill unlimited bags for $10 each. Better books are $20 a bag, limit one.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 17: Fill unlimited bags for $5 each. Better Books closed.
Take to the ice: Frank Southern Ice Arena opens Friday for the season
The Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St., opens to the public Friday with the first general admission public skating from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. General admission public skating takes place daily during scheduled times: Monday-Friday from noon to 2:30 p.m.; Fridays 7-9 p.m.; Saturdays 1:30-3 p.m., 7-9 p.m. (Lunar Skating), and 9:15-11 p.m. (Night Owl Skating); and Sundays 3-5 p.m.
Admission is $6 per person, plus $3 for skate rental with kids age 5 and younger admitted free. The ice arena will end its seasonal operations on Feb. 25, 2024.
Folk-pop duo: Lily & Madeleine perform at Blockhouse Bar
With captivating harmonies and masterful lyricism, Lily & Madeleine will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Blockhouse Bar, located in the alley at 205 S. College Ave. The pair just released their fifth studio album, Nite Swim. The duo has toured with John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, and Carlene Carter.
Music for music lovers: Friday Musicale performs Friday at St. Thomas Lutheran
Friday Musicale will begin its new season with a free performance at 1:15 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 E. Third St. Michael Evans, violin, guest Helen Ford, cello, and Beverly McGahey, piano, will play a Shostakovich Piano Trio.
The man in the hockey mask: Jason Crawl haunts film-goers on Friday the 13th
On Friday the 13th, get ready for a Jason Crawl with two "Friday the 13th" films. First watch "Friday the 13th Part II" at 7 p.m. at IU Cinema, 1213 E. Seventh St., and then navigate through the dark to the 10 p.m. showing of "Friday the 13th Part VI" in the Rose Firebay Theater at the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St.
Family friendly: Community Fall Festival Saturday at Banneker center
Join a celebration to bring the community together with arts, crafts, food and family from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Community Fall Festival at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. Seventh St. Cost is $5 per family.
No judgement here: Kids get a chance to read to a dog on Monday
Kids ages 5 to 12 are encouraged to read a book aloud to a dog 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The canines are from the Monroe County Humane Association's therapy animal program and will help encourage young readers to start a habit of reading for fun. This program is for readers of all abilities, but especially helpful for reluctant or struggling readers.
Caring for our water: Lake Monroe appreciation week starts Monday
Show your appreciation for Lake Monroe, a place for boating, hiking, birdwatching, camping and more from Oct. 16 through 22 by participating in activities that include trash cleanups and more. Complete details for every activity during Monroe Lake Appreciation Week are at bit.ly/monroe-appreciate-2023.
There will be six trash cleanup events that volunteers can sign up for and everyone who participates will earn an entry into a "thank you" prize drawing. Cleanup events will be:
Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m., Trash Cleanup at the Dam: details and registration at bit.ly/2023-cleanup-dam
Oct. 17 at 10 a.m., Causeway Cleanup: bit.ly/2023-cleanup-causeway
Oct. 18 at 9 a.m., Wilderness Campsite Cleanup: bit.ly/2023-cleanup-wilderness
Oct. 19 at 3 p.m., Sugar Creek Cleanup: bit.ly/2023-cleanup-sugar
Oct. 20 at 3 p.m., Fairfax Friday Cleanup: bit.ly/2023-cleanup-fairfax
Oct. 22 at 1 p.m., Monroe Lake MONSTER Cleanup: bit.ly/2023-cleanup-monster
Fill a 5-gallon bucket with trash from around the lake and you might win one of two “boat bags” for use while boating or camping. Details at bit.ly/bucket2023.
Entrance fees will be waived for registered volunteers participating in an organized cleanup event with a set start time. Otherwise, the entrance fee at Paynetown and Fairfax state recreation areas is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plate ($9 out-of-state).
Reach Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do in Bloomington, Indiana, this weekend
