Bloomington, IL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Under Bloomington City Code § 7-401, a festival is defined as an outdoor or open-air gathering of 300 or more attendees per day, excluding City-sponsored events, events already covered by a City Special Event Permit, the Bloomington Farmer's Market, school or university events, and religious or political assemblies. Organizers apply through the City Clerk with a detailed site map marking vendors, food vendors, alcohol and non-alcohol beverage stations, tents, restrooms, garbage/recycling, parking and sound stages, plus a certificate of liability insurance naming the City as additional insured and a vendor list covering every mobile food vendor's name, phone, address and daily contact.

Events are sorted into three Classification Tiers by expected attendance, Tier I (300-2,000), Tier II (2,001-10,000) and Tier III (10,000+), each carrying its own fee under the Schedule of Fees and its own filing deadline (Tier I applications are due more than 30 days ahead). Disqualifying factors under § 7-406 include felony convictions, unpaid City debts, a history of significant law violations at past events, and lacking McLean County residency unless the local emergency contact lives in the county. Licensed events must provide toilet facilities, refuse containers, traffic and parking control, security staffing approved by the Police Chief, and a fenced perimeter, and glass beverage containers are barred entirely.