Bloomington Heritage Days’ goal is to build a stronger community through the promotions of celebrations, educational programs, citizen volunteerism and the preservation of community. The day long event is always on the third Saturday in September with activities, events, contests and shows scheduled until midnight. The idea for Bloomington Heritage Days came from Tom Kendall and he solicited help from Larry Granger of the Bloomington Historical Society. Together they defined what Bloomington Heritage Days would do. After a year and half of building a committee of volunteers, gathering sponsors, coordinating with businesses and working with the City of Bloomington, Bloomington Heritage Days held its first annual festival on September 18, 2010. Dozens of civic organizations, businesses and community groups were involved in the planning. In 2011, Bloomington Heritage Days had nearly 300 volunteers help with festival. There is no entry fee to enter the festival. All of the festival necessities and most of the professional entertainment, activities and shows are funded through sponsorships.
