Bloomington Normal Sister Cities

50th Anniversary Tentative Schedule

As of 5/13/12

Sunday, July 22

• 9am Guest arrive in Chicago, travel to Bloomington-Normal
• 2pm Meet host families, settle in with host family or at hotel, free time rest of the night with host family/friendship family

Monday, July 23

• 9am Press conference (Uptown Normal Marriott)
• 10am Tour of Ropp Farm
• 12:30pm Lunch at Biaggi's
• 2pm Mitsubishi tour
• 5:30pm Welcome party at Rich Strle's house (by invitation)

Tuesday, July 24

• 8:30am Visits to Miller Park Friendship Bridge (see new marker), Ewing Manor Japanese garden, and McGraw Park sister cities marker (if time)
• 10:30am Dedication of teahouse at Japanese garden at Constitution Trail (open to public)
• 11:30am Former exchange student luncheon (by invitation)
• 1:30pm Visit to Normal City Hall and Uptown Station
• 2:30pm Optional Uptown Normal shopping or golfing at Prairie Vista
• 7:30pm Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts outdoor concert (open to public)

Wednesday, July 25

• 9am Visit to Bloomington City Hall
• 10am Downtown Bloomington tour of artists galleries
• 12:30pm Lunch at Lancaster's
• 2:30pm Cultural afternoon at BCPA (Japanese school presentation, flower arranging demonstration, musical performances) (open to public)
• Dinner and free time with host families

Thursday, July 26

• 8:30am Visit to Springfield (Abraham Lincoln Museum and Lincoln's tomb)
• 7pm Farewell Gala (by invitation)

Friday, July 27

• 8am Depart for Chicago
• Spend day in Chicago (Lake Michigan boat tour, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue shopping)
• 6pm Settle in at Chicago Marriott hotel and dinner

Saturday, July 28

• 9:30am Return to Japan