Normal holding 150th anniversary celebration

Uptown Normal
Most of this weekend’s celebration will be near Uptown Circle. (WJBC File Photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Town of Normal is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a slew of events this weekend.

The vast majority of the events, which will take place Friday morning through Sunday afternoon, will be near Uptown Circle. Assistant City Manager Sally Heffernan expects one of the highlights to be the performances Saturday by the Flying Wallendas.

“Those will be from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. and again from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.,” said Heffernan. “Now, at 5:45 p.m. the patriarch of the Wallenda family, Tino Wallenda, will be walking an even higher wire across Uptown Circle. The wire will be anchored by two cranes provided by Stark Excavating.”

McLean County Museum of History spokeswoman Beth Whisman said the museum will also play a big role the celebration.

“On the second floor we have two cases full of artifacts on Normal’s history. We’re going to take those, and more, out to the Marriott on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.,” said Whisman. “It’s a history fair.”

There will also be performances throughout the weekend by the Gamma Phi Circus. A full list of events can be found at normal.org.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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