NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State athletics department, in partnership with the Town of Normal, has announced updated details for the second annual Ballin' on Beaufort presented by Bloomington-Normal Automall set for Thursday in Uptown Normal on East Beaufort Street between the circle and Linden Street in Uptown.
The free event will begin with a fan festival with activities for all ages at 5:00 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the program will begin with player introductions, and a shooting stars challenge, team trick shots, and a three-point contest to follow on an Illinois State-specific temporary court installed on East Beaufort Street.
Illinois State, in collaboration with the Town of Normal and its local restaurants and bars, is dedicated to creating a safe and family-friendly environment. Patrons aged 21 and over who wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages within the event footprint must wear the official event wristband given to them upon street entry. Glass bottles and glass cups are not permitted to be taken outside the participating restaurants/bars.
Prior to the event, the first 500 fans to arrive will go home with an exclusive Ballin' on Beaufort collectible koozie. The family-friendly fan zone – which also opens at 5 p.m. – will include face painting, a balloon artist, and yard games. The court will be available for kids to utilize until 6:15 p.m.
Near the circle on East Beaufort Street, community partners will have tents with giveaways for fans and merchandise available for purchase. DJ Smalls will be providing music entertainment for all fans.
After the event there will be a meet-and-greet with the teams along with an autograph session on the court, and fans are encouraged to stick around at one of the many restaurants adjacent to the festivities.
Illinois State Athletics staff kindly requests that all Redbird fans show their respect for the security staff, Town of Normal personnel, and Illinois State staff in their collective efforts to uphold community safety.
Seating options will be extremely limited, and we kindly ask fans to be prepared to stand, if it's feasible for them. Lawn chairs and all other temporary seating will not be permitted for fans, ensuring the maximum viewing space for everyone.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
The event will proceed as scheduled unless unsafe weather conditions arise. While it is not anticipated, in the event of extreme weather, there will be no rescheduled date. To stay informed about any changes to the event, please follow ISURedbirds on social media for the latest news and weather updates.
