Transportation and Parking Minimize

TRANSPORTATION

The Festival does not provide transportation. Transportation remains the responsibility of each individual and high school.

PARKING

The below is subject to change as the Festival date approaches. 

Directions to the Bone Student Center (200 N. University St., Normal, IL 61761) 

Parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Buses parked illegally will be required to move immediately.  Cars parked illegally will be ticketed. It is the responsibility of each person and school to abide by ISU’s parking policies.

During registration Thursday night (4:00 pm – 8:30 pm), buses/vans will be allowed to stop on University Street ONLY long enough to drop off sponsors who are picking up registration materials.  ISU Police Officers will be on-site to keep buses/vans moving.  Students will NOT be allowed to exit the buses/vans on University street.

During the Festival, buses/vans will NOT be allowed to park or drop off students on University St, Locust St, or College Ave. Buses/vans are to park in Lot G85W, G85E, or G86 (See campus map below). There is no charge for buses to park in these lots. Students should load and unload buses in these three parking lots. Students will exit the Bone Student Center via the East entrance (near McAlister’s Deli) and walk through the Bone Student Center parking lot to the bus/van location. This will be monitored closely in order to alleviate concerns expressed by Illinois State University and the Normal Police Department.

The Bone Student Center and South University visitor parking lots will be open for a fee. General public may park in the Bone Student Center lot for $1.00 per hour on Thursday and Friday. There will be no charge for parking on Saturday. At the South University Street garage, parking is available on a pre-pay basis. You must determine the amount of time you need and pay before leaving the vehicle parked. There are two pay stations on the east side of the lot that accept cash and credit/debit cards. The fee is $1.00 per hour with no maximum on Thursday and Friday. There will be no charge on Saturday.
MAPS 
The below is subject to change as the Festival date approaches.  All maps will be updated on the website by September 9th.

PARKING MAP: This includes additional parking information
UPTOWN NORMAL MAP: A close walk from campus
BONE STUDENT CENTER INTERIOR MAP: Full list and locations of meetings spaces within the building
EXHIBITOR LOAD-IN MAP: Load-in map and instructions for Exhibitors
Meals

ADVANCED PURCHASE MEAL TICKETS (OPTIONAL)

Watterson Dining Commons is open for Theatre Festival participant’s lunches. A $18.30 meal ticket provides lunch for one person on both Friday and Saturday. All meal tickets MUST be purchased in advance. These can be purchased when filling out the School Registration Form.
One price provides the participant with an all-you-can-eat lunch for both days. This includes items such as pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, a salad bar, and home-style hot entrees. The cafeteria will be open from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm Friday and Saturday.

ON CAMPUS EATERIES

There are several dining options on and near campus.

  • Located inside the Bone Student Center: Starbucks, McAlister’s Deli, Qdoba, and The Landing.  Click here for a PDF of hours of operation and other nearby convenience stores. 
  • Restaurants near ISU's Campus: Merry Ann’s Diner, Medici, The Rock, Jimmy John’s, Potbelly’s, Meatheads, Buffalo Wild Wings, Firehouse Pizza, and much more. Click here for a PDF of all restaurants & locations near campus.
Lodging