through May 21 – 25th Annual Arts In Education Spring Celebration at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Admission is FREE. Call Sue Kingery at 672-6906. More than 17,000 students from over 125 schools participate.

May 1 – Community Children’s Theatre Annual Drama Festival… at Corn Stock Theatre Tent in Bradley Park from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (309) 682-1200. Admission: FREE! Come “play in the park” with Annual Drama Festival of award winning TEC school plays performed by Peoria students. Bring your lunch and buy snacks & drinks at the concession stand.

May 1 – Junior League of Peoria- Tea Party Package… at 236 NE Randolph Ave. from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Call Lori at (309) 685-9312. Tea for ten or ten for tea! The Junior League of Peoria will be opening their beautiful historic home to ten lucky partygoers for a terrific celebration. Over the course of 2 hours there will be time for dress-up, games, a teatime snack, an etiquette lesson and cake and ice cream along with a gift for the guest of honor. A party coordinator is provided who will set-up, run, and clean up after the event. Scheduling group parties on Saturdays only.

May 1 – Kindermusik at Trinity Children’s Fair from 9:00 a.m. – noon at Trinity Lutheran Church (135 NE Randolph). Free Preview Classes and drawings for free Classes and materials for Summer Camp and Fall semester. For more info call 676-4609 (ext. 207).

May 1 – Party for the Planet… at the Peoria Zoo from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Call (309) 686-3365 for info. Join us for games, animals & more as we celebrate both Earth Day & International Migratory Bird Day!

May 1 – Run to Remember Fallen Officers… at 5901 N. Prospect Rd. at 8:00 a.m. Call (309) 208-7844. Admission: Entry fee- $20.00. This is a 5-K run- 1 mile walk at Junction City benefiting the Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors.

May 4 – Women’s Council of Realtors’ 17th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. at Mt. Hawley Country Club. $30 advance tickets only. Call 309-698-2422 or email Denise.Hough@Regions.com.

May 6 – June 13 – Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre presents- “Your Bag or Mine.” Call (309) 965-2545. A world premiere comedy written by barn regular Chad Kirvan. Starring Bob Lane Jr., Mary Simon & Peoria’s own Mike Dentino & Lana Warner!

May 7 – 16 – Peoria Players Theatre presents the regional premiere of the musical comedy DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS directed by Mark Baugher. Based on the popular 1988 film of the same name, this musical comedy centers on a hilarious battle of two con men that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end! Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for patrons 18 and under, and will be on sale April 26. Call 688-4473 for reservations.

May 8 – The Sam J. Stone B’Nai B’rith Convenant Apartment Resident’s Assoc. will hold their annual rummage sale from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.. Breakfast of coffee and doughnuts will be served until 10:30 a.m. Lunch (hot dogs, chili dogs, chips & a beverage) will be served from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Bakery items available for purchase. Proceeds will be used for future activities in the building.

May 8 – The Peoria area Blind People’s Center will host their annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast sponsored by the Princeville Lions Club from 7:00 a.m. – noon at the Peoria area Blind People’s Center at 2905 W. Garden St. All you can eat. Adults $5.50; children under 10 years, $3.00. Call 637-3693 for more info.

May 8 – Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure… at the Metro Centre- Call (309) 691-6906. Participate in the 25th Annual Susan G. Komen Peoria Race for the Cure® and show everyone whose life you are running for. No matter whose life you are running for, now is the time to get involved and run for their life! All funds from the Race go to research, education, screening and treatment programs. The goal is to get 25,000 participants at the 2010 Race and to raise more than $1,000,000 with this event. We need your help to reach our goal! Entry fee is $30 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. Late entry fee is $35 for all ages. Rain or shine.

May 8 – Green View Nursery Announces Kid’s Event for Mother’s Day Weekend – will host “Blossoms for Mom: Kid’s Hands On Event” from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. For more info call 243-7761 or go to www.greenview.com.

May 8 – Free Confidential Document Shredding Event available from Villa Tax Advisory Group from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 19478 Springfield Rd., Groveland, Il. Food, drinks & snacks provided.

May 9 – Orchid Show – Luthy Botanical Gardens. Bring your special mom, sister, aunt, grandmother or friend to our Orchid Show this Mother’s Day! There will be many beautiful specimens on display plus experts with information on their care. The event will run from noon – 5:00 p.m. Admission: $2 for adults (13 and up) Children 12 and under and Garden Members are free. Call (309) 686-3362.

May 10th and 24th– The Riverfront Toastmasters Club meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at One Technology Plaza every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 211 Fulton Street, Suite 300 is the location. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more info call (309) 685-5014.

May 18 – The next regular meeting of the Peoria Knit and Crochet Guild will be at the Lakeview Library from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the North Meeting Room. Please bring a current project and enjoy.

May 22 – Shop a variety of home-based business and artisans at Franciscan Recreation Complex’s Craft & Vendor Show on from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Booths will be set up on FRC’s lawn, rain or shine. Call (309) 677-6705 for more information.

May 28 – 30 – 36th Annual World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest – at the Hotel Pere Marquette. The World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held each Memorial Day weekend. Reservations for lodging at the Hotel Père Marquette must be made by mail or fax. E-mail pianoctest@aol.com.

May 31 – 3rd Annual Operation Santa Memorial Day 4 mile run/1 mile walk at O’Brien Field. Stay for Military Appreciation Day at the Peoria Chiefs Game too! Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the game starts at noon. Race fee is $25. Lawn seats / $7.00 Club Box $11.00. Phone: (309) 680-4000.

June 1 – Aug 10 – Kindermusik at Trinity Summer Camp 2010. Two 5-week sessions of daytime and evening summer classes will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph Ave. The cost is $95 per 5-week session. Call 676-4609 for more info or email kindermusik@trinitypeoria.com