Good morning, Bloomington.

At Parkside Junior High School, community members ran and walked three miles to honor teen Edder Diaz, who died after a home fire on Nov.

3. The event — which raised more than $20K for his family — helped the community begin to heal.

Pub Club Rotary donated 125 Thanksgiving meals to the Bloomington Boys + Girls Club to help families in need this season; the donation addresses a current challenge for local households.

Casper Brewing is partnering with the McLean County Museum of History to recreate a beer from before Prohibition that was brewed by Meyer's Brewing Company in Bloomington—production ended when national Prohibition shut down the brewing industry.

McLean County Farm Bureau is investing nearly $20,000 in local FFA chapters to support agricultural education.

The funding will be used by local chapters to boost learning opportunities—helping students gain practical farming skills.

The Town of Normal and its firefighters' union disagree on plans to replace the College Avenue station with a new facility farther east — union officials worry that planned staffing cuts could slow emergency response times.

With colder weather and more holiday cooking, the Normal Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors that include home testing and 10-year battery installation at no cost.

Firefighters will visit homes over the next few months to check alarm placements—ensuring residents stay safe.

Sevendust Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — $43 — Experience Sevendust's heavy grooves and soulful vocals on their Southside Double-Wide Tour.

City of Bloomington Turkey Trot

9-11 AM — Miller Park — Free registration — Celebrate Thanksgiving with a community fun run and support a local food drive.

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

2-3:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $44.00+ — Experience breathtaking circus acts combined with seasonal music in this enchanting holiday show.

2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship

Dec 3-6 — Shirk Center — Visit NCAA DIII Championship site for details — Witness the crowning of the national champion in women's volleyball.

The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $19.00+ — Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of festive entertainment at The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular.

NPC Mid-American Winter Classic

10 AM – 10 PM — Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center — Ticketed event — Experience thrilling amateur bodybuilding competitions featuring various divisions.

The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $19.00+ — Celebrate the festive season with an entertaining holiday spectacular showcasing local talents.

Jane Lynch - A Swingin' Little Christmas

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $42.00+ — Classic holiday tunes and hilarious banter come together for a delightful night of music and comedy.

Home for the Holidays Bake Sale

9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Ace Hardware of Normal — Support a great cause — Enjoy delicious baked goods and help benefit HSCI this holiday season.

Taylor Swift Night

4 PM — Grossinger Motors Arena — Free meal for kids 12 and under — An enchanting evening dedicated to Swifties with fun for the whole family.