Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of Sept. 7-8, 2024, curated by WGLT's Lauren Warnecke. You can find more coverage on our Datebook - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WGLT's Weekend Scoop email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.
Sample heavy machinery: Illinois’ annual Day of the Dozer puts kids in the drivers’ seats of life-sized Tonka trucks—every heavy machinery nut’s dream come true. Even better: Dozer Day benefits the Stay 4 project supporting low-income high schoolers at risk of dropping out. Stay 4’s 650 graduates thus far have found successful futures in the military, trades and at university. 10 a.m. Saturday at the McLean County Fairgrounds; tickets $10 at dayofthedozer.net.
Leah is back: Normal native and American Idol finalist Leah Marlene has done pretty much everything a musician can do in this town—except play as a headliner at the Castle. That changes Saturday. With new songs in tow, her name’s on the downtown Bloomington marquee with Idol pal Fritz Hager for Marlene’s official Castle debut. 8 p.m. Saturday (doors at 7 p.m.); tickets $20-$75 at thecastletheatre.com.
A stroll back in time: The residents of one of Bloomington’s oldest neighborhoods, Dimmitt’s Grove, invite guests to peruse their boulevards in a self-guided walking tour with nearly 30 signs detailing the area’s history. 12 p.m. Sunday beginning at Vrooman Mansion; tickets $15 at the mansion and AB Hatchery. vroomanmansion.com.
