July 3 – Fireworks Spectacular! 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre. Call 309-681-2854. Bring blankets & lawn chairs to enjoy the show. Pack a picnic dinner or enjoy food from vendors. Reservation packages available. Call (309) 681-2854 for more info.

July 4 – Unity Point Red White and Boom – on the Peoria Riverfront – one of the biggest fireworks show in the country! Activities & prime viewing space for “Methodist Red, White and BOOM!” will be plentiful. Food & beverage vendors, live entertainment, radio station remote broadcasts & more. For info: visit: http://www.redwhiteandboom.us/index.html.

July 4 – 4th of July Backyard BBQ – 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. @ Peoria Riverfront Museum. Call 309-863-3010. Member: Adults $30/Children ages (3-17) $15/Non-Member: Adults $40/Children ages (3-17) $20. Enjoy the show with all the modern conveniences of home- only we’ll do the cooking and the clean-up. •All you can eat BBQ from Famous Dave’s •Cash bar •Fun activities while you wait •Dome Planetarium light shows •Experiments and demonstrations for kids and families •Interactive museum exhibits •New Abraham Lincoln exhibit •Your choice of viewing areas •No bug spray required viewing from museum lobby •Fantastic exterior museum plaza view.

July 4 – Celebrate the 4th of July – 8:00 – 10:30 p.m. at the Flanagan house Museum Backyard on Glen Oak Ave. Call 309-674-1921. Admission: $5 for adults/$3 for children.Gate open at 8:00 p.m. for the best seats in the “Peoria House.” Seating limited to first 200. Arrive before dusk & stake your claim. Other fireworks displays can be seen from Flanagan lawn. Soda, water, popcorn, novelties $1 each.

July 4 – ELITE 4th of July Fundraiser – 5:00 p.m. at the RiverPlex. $30 Reserved Parking. Admission includes: reserved parking per car with 4 persons, exclusive use of RiverPlex Recreation facility, exclusive access to our riverfront lawn for fireworks show, additional family members or passengers are $10 each, reserved picnic tables $5. Bring lawn chairs, beach blankets, coolers, portable grills, & picnic baskets. 589-5923 for more info.

July 6 – Feeding the Fish – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. (309) 863-3009. Free to members and with regular paid admission. Learn about native fish species in the Illinois River Encounter! Stop at museum’s 400-gallon fish tank to watch experts feed the fish.

July 6, 13, 20, 27 – Peoria Riverfront Market at Liberty Park on Peoria’s RiverFront.Call 309-671-5555. Features local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, & local hand-crafted arts including jewelry, pottery, wood-turned items, & more!

July 7 – Volksfest at Hickory Grove Park – 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Hickory Grove Park. Call 309-691-7484. Entertainment provided. A Classic Car & Motorcycle Cruis’n runs from noon – 5:00 p.m.,Entry is free. Craft Vendors. Soccer, folks dancing, Bingo, 50/50 rafffle, & shooting tent. Kinder Park available. German food & beverages.

July 11 – 12 – Peoria Park District’s Community Children’s Theatre’s Summer Production. Stars talented performers aged 8 – 18. Admission: $12 for adults/$8 for seniors & children 12 and under. Location: Peoria Players Theatre at 4300 N. University.

July 12 – Wine & Cheese Under the Stars – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. @ Peoria Riverfront Museum. Call (309) 863-3027. Admission: $25 members/$30 others. Guided tour of the universe w/state-of-the-art Zeiss planetarium equipment as you relax with a glass of wine & nibble on cheese & crackers

July 13 – 21 – 64th Annual Heart of Illinois Fair @ Expo Gardens, 1601 W. Northmoor Rd. Livestock shows, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, midway games, demo derbies, truck & tractor pulls. Large area & variety of commercial & food vendors.

July 14 – Gallery Walk – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. @ Peoria Riverfront Museum. Call (309) 863-3009. Free to members and with regular paid admission. Iinside look at selections of the museum’s permanent collection with Kristan H. McKinsey, Director of Collections.

July 15 – Camp OnStage at 7:30 p.m. @ Glen Oak Amphitheatre. Call (309) 681-2861. July 15, 7:30 p.m. Musical Theatre performances. Glen Oak Amphitheatre, 2218 N. Prospect. (309) 681-2861.

July 16 – Peoria Knit & Crochet Guild to meet at Lakeview Library in North Study room – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Call 550-2997 for more info.

July 20 – Winter in Summer – 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Peoria Zoo. Call (309) 681-3559. Learn how we keep our animals cool during the “dog days” of summer. We’ll also have games and prizes throughout the day. Peoria Zoo, 2218 N. Prospect. (309) 681-3559.

July 24 – Senior Morning at the Peoria Riverfront Museum – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Call (309) 863-3009. Free to seniors. Coffee, snacks, and a tour of the Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America exhibition. 10:00-coffee and snacks, 10:30-program.

July 25 – Museum Explorers – 11:00 a.m. – noon at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Call 309-863-3009. Admission: Free to members and w/regular paid admission. Bring your children to the gallery walk just for them. Ages 5 and older.

July 25 – Annual Youth Msic Festival “Superheroes” at 6:30 p.m. at the Glen Oak Amphitheatre. Phone: (309) 681-2861.$3.00 admission at the gate/students with ID are FREE. Glen Oak Amphitheatre, 2218 N. Prospect(309) 681-2861.

July 25 -27 – The Universalist Unitarian Church Annual Rummage Sale – air-conditioned bldg at 3000 W Richwoods Blvd – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. On Sat., everything will be ½ price at 8:00 a.m. & $3.00 per bag at 11:00 a.m.. Antiques, furniture, household items, small appliances, electronics, games, children’s clothing & toys, men’s & women’s clothing, sports equipment, books, boutique items & more.

July 26 – Artists on the Boardwalk – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Junction City. Call (309) 740-0808. Local artists displaying/selling artwork along boardwalk. Music, food, unique shops & current/top fashions in our boutiques.

July 26 – Bubble Blast! The Science of Bubbles – 11:00 -11:30 a.m. @ Peoria Riverfront Museum. Call (309) 863-3009. Free to members & w/regular paid admission. Explore & learn about bubbles on museum’s Sun Plaza.

July 27 – Super Saturday – from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. @ Peoria Riverfront Museum. (309) 863-3009. Free to members & w/regular paid admission. View insect specimens & design your own bug.

July 27 – Fiesta En El Rio 5:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Peoria Riverfront. $7 per person or $20 for a family. The Peoria Park District is proud to present Fiesta En El Rio on the Riverfront every year! Features authentic Latin American food & drink, a children’s area, and live music!

July 28 – Pioneer Days – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Sommer Park. Call (309) 691-8423. Last Sunday of each month. Activities at the homestead, barn, blacksmith shop and schoolhouse may include: laundry, gardening, woodworking, blacksmithing, candle making, hands-on children’s activities. Sommer Park, 6329 N. Koerner Road, Edwards, IL.