Oct 5 – 27 – 13 annual Spider Hill at Three Sisters Park. Open every Friday and Saturday night in October; gate opens at 6:00 p.m. for ticket sales and the scares start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are sold until 11:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person per attractions. Wristbands for unlimited scares are $20 each. Call 866-278-8837.
Oct 5 – The Main Statement’s Fall Celebration Open House from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at 610 W. Main Street. Call 309-258-8636. Fun, unique, beautiful, odd, hilarious, adorable, all different gifts & accessories that you have to see to believe! Art, photography, pottery, wood-work Hats, scarves, headbands Jewelry Wallets, purses Baby gifts MORE! Main and Sheridan businesses will all be celebrating the season Friday October 5, so make it your official day to celebrate fall and visit the New Main Street!
Oct 7 – “Songs from the Woods” at Forest Park Nature Center. Call 309-686-3360. Admission: $7/adults; $6 for 12 and under. CORE members receive $1 off. This Sunday night concert by folk-singing legend and songwriter Bill Staines will begin at 7:00 p.m. Payment for reserved seating is available at the Nature Center’s Trailhead Nature Store.
Oct 11 – Gary Fyke will be the guest speaker at the October monthly general meeting of the Peoria County Genealogical Society to be held at the Peoria Public Library North Branch at 3001 W. Grand Parkway. Fyke is a former police detective, former mayor, and currently the president of the Chillicothe Historical Society. Fyke researched and found details about Chillicothe businessman Thomas M. Callahan and his connection with James Cashy Penney. He tells an interesting story about how Callahan made a significant contribution to the success of J.C. Penney.
Oct 12 – Wine, craft beer, and hors d’oeuvre tasting, silent & live auction to benefit the Cancer Center for Healthy Living. 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per ticket and can be purchased at the door or in advance at: http://www.cchlpeoria.org/. Click on events.
Oct 12 – 13 – Four Rocks Arena in Delavan, IL will host two action packed performances of professional bull riding and competition beginning at 7:30 pm nightly. Each performance features some of the top bull riders of the National Federation of Professional Bullriders (NFPB) pitted against award winning bucking bulls. There’ll be lots of excitement for all ages including free pony rides, cowgirl barrel racing, horseshoe games, plenty of grub, and a chance for photos and autographs with your favorite celebrity. Admission: $10 per person/kids 10 and under are FREE. Proceeds will benefit Roger Rawlings who was hospitalized earlier this year a rare fungal infection. For more info go to rawlings4arena.com or contact Randy Littrell at 217-556-0551.
Oct 13 – Friends of Rock Island Trail invites the public to attend a luncheon and fun-raiser from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Safety Town, 6518 N. Sheridan Rd., near the intersection of Sheridan and Knoxville. The events will raise funds for enhancements for the Rock Island Trail State Park and the Peoria Park District’s Rock Island Greenway (formerly the Kellar Branch) with bike racks, signs & benches. Lunch includes hot dogs, chips, drinks & desserts. Games & other activities for all ages. A silent auction includes items donated by bicycle shops, sporting goods stores and other businesses.
Oct 13 – 4th annual Peoria Promise Gala at the Peoria Civic Center. Peoria Promise is proud to announce their partnership with Lexus of Peoria. Tickets are available online at: http://www.peoriapromise.org/events. Call 309-680-3586.
Oct 14 – 16th annual Bark in the Park at the Peoria Riverfront. Dogs and owners will hightail it to walk for animals in the community. Proceeds benefit humane education, low-cost spay/neuter, cruelty rescue, volunteer, community awareness, adoption programs and more.
Oct 14 – 34th Annual JDRF Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Glen Oak Park. Call 309-229-0558.
Oct 14 – Trinity Concert Series presents Music for Solo Clarinet at 7:00 p.m. with Dana Sloter, clarinet and Molly Sloter, piano. The event will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph Ave. Call 309-676-4609. The concert is free and open to the public (free-will offerings will be received).
Oct 20 – “Seasoned Stars on Stage” A 50+Reader’s Theater will hold auditions for new members, musicians and crew for their upcoming holiday live-radio broadcast, on October 20 at 12:00 at Courtyard Estates (formally Jumer’s), 117 N. Western, West Peoria in the Bear Lounge. “Seasoned Stars” meets Thursdays and Saturdays for rehearsal and classes at Courtyard. No memorization or experienced required. For more information contact: Pam White, Director/Coach at 309/676/3031 or at: pamela.tucker.white@gmail.com.
Oct 20 – 21 – 2012 Kegel/ISBPA Collegiate Bowling Classic – features up to 46 collegiate teams from across the nation with a limit of ten players per team. All scores are scratch and no bonus pins counted. Prizes, including scholarships, will be awarded. Call 847-982-1305.
Oct 27 – First annual “Red Kettle Run” – a two mile run that will grow into a 5K in subsequent years. The run will start and end at the Corps Community Center at 2903 W. Nebraska in Peoria and will wind its way through the area neighborhoods. Online registration is available now at: www.signmeup.com/86716. Cost is $25 and there will be awards for the top three finishers in each age group. Sign-in is at 7:30 and the race begins at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Major Donna Miller, or Nicki Yocum at 682-8886.
Oct 27 – Arthritis Foundation Bone Bash is a Halloween-themed party at The Waterhouse, 19 SW Water St.. It includes spooky decorations, costume contest, silent & live auctions, games, photo booth, psychic and rockin’ entertainment. The event is for young adults 21 and older. Call 309-682-6600.
Oct 28 – Award-winning performers Aaron Jacobs, violin and Tatiana Shustova, piano will present an eclectic program of violin and piano selections for a Sunday afternoon concert at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria. Both artists are doctoral candidates at the University of Illinois and have performed at regional, national and international venues. The event will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 3000 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria/ An offering will be received. A reception at the church will follow the performance. For more info, call 309-688-5608.