July 3 – Methodist Red White and Boom – Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult @Festival Park @ downtown Peoria Riverfront. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets $20.00 in advance at the Riverfront Visitors Center, Water St.; Co-Op Music Stores in Peoria, East Peoria, & Pekin &@ Shandi’s Music & More in Washington & Canton. Remaining tickets available @ gates on day of show for $25.00 each.

July 4 – Awesome FIREWORKS display – the largest in the state! Methodist RED, WHITE and BOOM! 2012 is a “pyromusical”… a blend of fireworks fired from a barge in the middle of the Illinois River synchronized to a patriotic musical soundtrack broadcast on JMP Radio Group stations! Bring portable radios tuned to one of the JMP Radio Group stations to enjoy the music that matches the fireworks!

July 4 — View downtown fireworks from the back lawn of Flanagan House Museum, 942 NE Glen Oak Ave. Open @ 6:00 p.m., fireworks @ 9:00 p.m. Admission: $5 adults/$3 children/maximum $20 per family. Fresh popcorn, soda, novelties for sale. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Call 674-1921.

July 4, 11, 18, and 25th – WALK ON WEDNESDAYS – Recurs weekly on Wednesday through 9/26/12 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. @ Junction City Shopping Center. Call 219-3187. Outdoor dining, store sales, wine & beer tasting, Drinks on the patio, live music – local talent, stroll the boardwalk!

July 5 – August 19 – “Funny Business” at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield, IL. Call Box Office at (309) 965-2545. A delightful sequel to their previous smash hit.

July 6 – Spirit of Peoria- Moonlight Cruise – at Peoria Riverfront from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Call (309) 637-8000. Enjoy Peoria’s evening skyline by the light of the moon. Live entertainment included for this two hour cruise. Cash bar available.

July 6 – Susan Galloway – Artists Open Studio Night – Recurs monthly on 1st Friday from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Murray Center for the Arts at 100 Walnut St., Suite 405. FREE. Central Illinois Artist Organization (CIAO) offers several locations to tour a variety of artist studios. Get locations @ www.ciaopeoria.org.

July 6 – 7 -3rd Annual Fort Creve Coeur Kap-In from 9:00 a.m. – dusk. These well-known flint knappers will demonstrate the art of flint knapping (stone tool making). The public is welcome to bring artifacts in to be identified. Admission is free. Food will be available during lunch and supper hours. Call 694-3193.

July 7 – MCB Cycling Classic. Call (309) 370-8296. For 2012 the Peoria Bicycle Club is once again partnering with sponsor Morton Community Bank. This flat, fast criterium course in downtown Morton, IL will be the last race in the IL Cup Points Series.

July 7, 14, 21, 28 – Peoria Riverfront Farmer’s Market from 8:00 a.m. – noon on the RiverFront. Call 671-5555. Free. Peoria’s RiverFront Market features Illinois grown produce, local meats, cheeses, fresh breads, herbs, and flowers, local art including jewelry, pottery, wood-turned items, candles, etc.

July 8 – The Sam J. Stone B’nai B’rith Covenant Apartments Resident’s Assoc. will hold their 32nd Annual Ice Cream Social from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 215 W. Sam J. Stone Ave. Tickets are a donation of $1.00. There will be music, door prizes. Dietetic services are available in addition to ice cream, cake, pie, cookies & beverage. Proceeds for resident activities.

July 9 – Peoria’a own Royce Elliot, with host Norm Kelly, will appear at Peoria Public Library North Branch in the McKenzie Room from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for an evening of good, clean family fun. Royce has had a long career appearing in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Branson, Myrtle Beach and other venues around the United States and Canada. He appears on WOAM with Roger Monroe and as the Journal Star jokester. FREE event for all ages. Copies of CDs & book will be available for sale & signing. Call 309-497-2120 for more info.

July 12 – 14 – The Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria’s annual Rummage Sale in the AC church building at 3000 W Richwoods Blvd. The sale begins on Thurs. at noon and ends at 7:00 p.m. On Fri. & Sat., the sale will run from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Everything will be ½ price on Sat. at 8:00 a.m. & $2 per bag on Sat. after 11:00 a.m. Home made baked goods, cold drinks, & coffee also available.

July 12 – Prairie to Prairie Ride at 6:00 p.m. @ Riverfront Visitors Center, 110 NE Water St. Call  686-7000. Start at Riverfront Visitor Center Parking Lot at 6:00 p.m.  Highlights: Two prairie restorations inside the city, plus selected historic sights!

July 15 – 19 – A summer kids’ event “Sky” 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will be hosted at First Federated Church in Peoria, Illinois. “Sky” is for kids from Preschool thru Middle School. Registration is $20 per child with a $50 maximum per family before July 1st. After that time, the fee increases to $25 per child. Registration fee includes dinner every night, music CD (1 per family), t-shirt, and Thursday Family FEAST! For more info call 685-5258 or go towww.ffcpeoria.com.

July 17 – Taste of Washington – @ Washington Square. Call (309) 444-9921. Come enjoy the many different flavors of Washington!

July 17 – Peoria Knit & Crochet Guild will meet at the Lakeview Library from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Call 868-5131 for more info.

July 24 – Prostate Cancer Support Group, US TOO will meet at Proctor Professional Bldg. #1 in classrooms 3-4. the speaker will be Michael H. Veeder, MD of IL Cancer Care speaking on “New Concepts in Prostate Cancer Treatment in General & Update for Prostate Cancer.” Call 266-5239 for info.

July 26 – Eric’s West Peoria Deli Ride – 6:00 p.m. at Quest Charter Academy (old Loucks School) parking lot, 2503 N. University. Call (309) 686-7000. Start at Quest Charter Academy (old Loucks School) parking lot; Highlights:West Peoria, Pettengill-Morron House, Glen Oak Park, Fedora’s Deli. July 26 – TCRC Sight Centers July Low Vision Group Meeting @ 1:00-2:30 p.m. 4th floor of the Regions Bank building, corner of Main and Washington St. Carolyn McCarter will be guest speaker and will share what the Peoria Area Blind Peoples Center offers s well as what the Lions Club does.

July 27 – ARTISTS  ON THE BOARDWALK – recurs monthly on 4th Friday 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. @Junction City Shopping Center. Call 740-0808. No admission. Presented by Junction City & Exhibit A. Experience local artists showing their works along the boardwalk. View classic cars from Central Illinois Cruisers, enjoy great dining, browse our unique shops, and indulge yourself at the boutique clothing stores.

July 27 – 28 – Midwest Cigar Summit at Jimmy’s Bar, West Peoria, IL. Call (309) 621-1006. Admission TBA.

July 28 – Fiesta en el Rio – Watch the Peoria Park District website and the River Front Facebook page for more info.

July 28 – I Spy A Wish Team Adventure – from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. This will start and conclude at Uftring Weston Chevy Cadillac @ 1600 W. War Memorial Dr. Call (309) 303-1542. Admission: Donations. I Spy-A-Wish is a family fun event. Participants use clues to find locations that are hidden in the Peoria Area meeting Make-A-Wish kids along the way. Have fun with us as we raise money to help grant wishes through Make-A-Wish Illinois! Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives.

July 29 – Alzheimer’s Association benefit/concert – from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Kickapoo Creek Winery. Call (309) 495-9463. Admission: $10.00