thru Nov 7 – Chrysanthemum Show – daily @ Luthy Botanical Gardens
Nov. 4 – Shred Fest @ Commerce Bank, 2609 N. Knoxville Ave. 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Bring up to ten boxes of your documents and they will shred them for you!
Nov 4 – The 6th Holiday Walk from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. @ Junction City Shopping Center for an evening of holiday festivities: Pictures with Santa (4-8pm) Free Carriage Rides (6-8pm) Live Music & Letters to Santa (4-9pm) Hors d’ oeuvres, Cocktails, etc. Visit @ www.newjunctioncity.com.
Nov 4 – Church Women United Peoria sponsors a brunch with a program following at 9:30 a.m. World Community Day “Living our Faith: Unlocking Action” at Glen Oak Christian Church, 1115 E. Republic, Peoria. For tickets call 309-691-2451.
Nov 4 – 6 – 2011 Illinois State Chess Tournament – Call 671-0791.
Nov 5 – Crafts, Candy & Bake Sale to benefit the Residents Assoc. at B’Nai B’Rith. Event runs from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ 215 W. Sam J. Stone Ave. A BBQ lunch available. Admission free!
Nov 5 – 2011 IHSA State Cross Country Meet @ Detweiller Park. Call (309) 663-6377 for info. The best high school boys and girls Cross Country runners compete in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A to be crowned Illinois State Champions.
Nov 9 – Community Make a Blanket Day to benefit Project Linus at JONES SEWING MACHINE CO., 3410 N. Prospect Rd. anytime from 10:00 a.m.. – 2:00 p.m. Sewing machines & fabric squares provided. Fleece provided for those not wanting to sew. Bring your favorite notions, such as scissors, pins, etc. and bring your own lunch!
Nov 10 – Peoria Genealogical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. at the North Library – 3001 W. Grand Parkway. Kenny Carrigan, a delightful 76 year old active civic volunteer, & guide for the Peoria Historical Society’s trolley tours, will be the guest speaker. Being part of the trolley tours, he knows Peoria, he knows the city’s stories, & knows some secrets, all of which he’s always happy to share!
Nov. 10, 12, 17 – Bradley University Theatre presents “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani at 8:00 p.m. in the Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts. This is a whimsical tale about the joys and perils of romance set in a mythical town. Ticket prices are $14 for adults/$12 for BU Faculty & Staff/$12 for Seniors/$7 for students. Call 677-2650 or go online at: http://theatre.bradley.edu
Nov 11 – 20 – “Annie” at Peoria Players Theatre. Recurs every 2 weeks on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Times: 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Admission: $18 (adults); $12 (18 and under). Everyone’s favorite redhead stars in this family musical as the orphan who just wants a home and a family of her very own.
Nov. 12 & 19 & 20 – Bradley University Theatre presents “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani at 2:30 p.m. in the Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts. This is a whimsical tale about the joys and perils of romance set in a mythical town. Ticket prices are $14 for adults/$12 for BU Faculty & Staff/$12 for Seniors/$7 for students. Call 677-2650 or go online at: http://theatre.bradley.edu
Nov 12 – Calling all shutter bugs to the 2nd Photo Safari @ Peoria Glen Oak Zoo – Call (309)686-3365 ext. 3513. All entries in this photo contest will be on display during the Animal Art Show. Art created by the animals will be displayed and available for purchase.
Nov. 12 – Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) will be hosting a free Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 2 Hall located at 110 E. McClure Ave. in Peoria. Several area media personalities, elected officials and community leaders will serve as waiters for veterans at the breakfast.For more info call 309-681-1992 or e-mail repjgordon@gmail.com.
Nov 14 – Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project and CIJS House Band from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at The Starting Gate Banquet Room, in Landmark Recreation Center. Call 309-692-5330. Admission: $5 members; $7 non-members; children 14 and under are free with an adult.
Nov 15 – Prostate Cancer Support Group,Us Too survivors & partners meet for educational info & support from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Proctor Professional Bldg. 1. Guest speaker will be Dr. Tobias Kohler of SIU School of medicine, Urology Dept. His topic will be “Erectile Dysfunction.”
Nov 18 through Dec 17 – Candlelight Walks at Luthy Botanical Gardens.
Nov 18 – Dec 23 – Poinsettia Show & Candlelight Walks from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. daily. Free admission. Donations accepted. Conservatory admission will be waived.
Nov 19 – 2011 Spirit Cheer Illinois Championships @ Peoria Civic Center. Call (888) 716-2287. Admission: Adult $15; Child $10; 3 and under Free. The best cheerleading groups in the state of Illinois come to Peoria to compete in Spirit Cheer’s Illinois Championships.
Nov 19 – Murder Mystery Dinner @ Willett’s Winery and Cellar, Manito. Phone: (309) 968-7070
Nov 19 – RiverPlex Home Party Bazaar from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. @ RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center. Call (309) 282-1508. Get a jump on your Holiday shopping by attending the Home Party Bazaar. This event will host homemade businesses, 2-hour party companies and Peoria Area Services. Admission & parking is free.
Nov 19 – 20 – Grammy-nominated & Dove Award winning musician, Grant Norsworthy, will lead “An Evening of Praise” at 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 20th @ First United Methodist Church of Peoria’s auditorium. The concert & parking are free (around the bldg).Grant will be leading a B1 concert at 7:00 p.m. on November 19th at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, IL.
Nov 20 – Peoria Area Rabbit Breaders Rabbit Show @ Exposition Gardens – Youth Building
Nov 21 – Concert of Thanksgiving – Peoria Symphony @7:00 p.m. @ Peoria Civic Center Theater. Call (309) 671-1098. The holidays begin with a spirit of gratitude & generosity when the PSO, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale and its talented Youth Chorus present an evening of music, community and celebration featuring a sing-along, a special tribute to our service men and women & surprise visitors! Call 309/671-1096 or www.peoriasymphony.org.
Nov 24 – Thanksgiving Day Brunch @ Wildlife Prairie State Park
Nov 24 – WeaverRidge Thanksgiving Buffet from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at WeaverRidge. Call 309.691.3344 x 18. Admission: Adult $20.95, Children 3-12 $9.95, Under age 3 Free. Visit website at www.weaverridge.com to view the Thanksgiving Buffet Menu!
Nov. 25 – 124th Annual Santa Parade – 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Downtown Peoria. Free
This is the longest running holiday parade in the country. The parade features band competition, costumed characters, float awards in various categories and Santa and Mrs. Clause. The theme of the parade for 2011 is Toys, Treasures and Traditions.
Nov 25 – Yule Like Peoria – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Downtown Peoria. Call (309) 681-0696
Commercial buildings in downtown Peoria host various forms of entertainment. There will be refreshments, an ice-carving contest @ Peoria Courthouse Plaza, costumed characters, & people can decorate the streetlights throughout