Location: 601 N. East St. Bloomington, IL 61701
How did the Sugar Creek Festival begin?
The festival was held first in 1983 by the Town of Normal. It was a way to drive traffic to Uptown while students were at home and away for the summer. This festival started as 16 artists selling from trunks of their cars, and has now been ranked as one of the nation's top 100 arts festival. This event draws about 20,000 attendees each year. The Sugar Creek Arts Festival has won the Pantograph's Readers Choice Award for Best Community Event two years in a row.
What is our Mission?
The McLean County Arts Center is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization. We encourage and promote the appreciation, study, cultivation, development, and practice of the Arts in McLean County.
What happens during the event?
- Many artists will display their work for thousands of attendees to observe.
- Two stages of live music throughout the day: Circle and Broadway stage
How Can I Get Involved?
- Become a Friend of the McLean County Arts Center and Sugar Creek Arts Festival with an in-kind donation or gift under $500 to be featured as a supporter of the arts in our digital program booklet.
- Partner with us for $500 or more to be included in our digital program booklet, on our website, on the festival map, and on our social media accounts with over 7,000 followers.
- Become a Patron of the McLean County Arts Center and Sugar Creek Arts Festival to receive all of the above benefits, plus have your logo displayed on our printed street signage at the event.
- With a gift of $2,500 or more at the Sustainer Level, you will also be credited in our Event Video (averaging 30,000 views) and receive a complimentary membership to the Arts Center.
- Finally, as a Benefactor, with a gift of $5,000 or more, you will receive all of this, plus an 8 ft. table at the festival and one complimentary private event at the Arts Center.
McLean County Arts Center Services:
McLean County Arts Center Upcoming Events:
Board Members:
President- Sheila Lamberson
Vice President- Bruce Cather
Secretary- Sally Berry
Sugar Creek Arts Festival 2023
The 40th Annual Sugar Creek Arts Festival in 2023 will be in Uptown Normal on Saturday, October 7th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, October 8th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For additional information contact James Arrich at jvarric@ilstu.edu
Credits:
Created with an image by daphnusia - "Red velvet textured"