April 1 – 19 – Lilies & The Lorax Lily Show – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. @ Luthy Botanical Garden. This show is a community tradition. See hundreds of beautiful flowers contrasted with lush tropical foliage and experience the wonderful world of the Lorax, this year’s theme.

April 3 – Peoria Patriots presents Free Movie “Gifted Hands” Dr. Ben Carson at 5:30 PM – Hors D’oeuvres, Beverages & Desserts. 6:00PM – Featured Movie – at Hy-Vee (Club Room) 4125 Sheridan Rd. Donations appreciated for food & room Rental.

April 4 – Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum Before Event at the Glen Oak Park Pavilion. See the new Museum before construction is underway at the Glen Oak Park Pavilion (previously the Peoria Park District Administration Offices.) Guests will see the home of the future 6 galleries, & enjoy beverages & appetizers within each area. Call (309) 681-3500.

April 6 – 1st Annual Italian American Society Spaghetti Dinner from noon – 4:30 p.m. @ Spalding Council Knights of Columbus Hall, 7403 N. Radnor Rd. Admission: Dinner ($10.00/ adults & $5.00/child). All-you-can-eat spaghetti, plus meatballs or Bolognese sauce Salad Bread Lemonade or Ice Tea. Bar open to purchase wine, beer, and soda. Italian dessert available for purchase.

April 9 – Community Make a Blanket Day to benefit Project Linus – will be held at Jones Sewing Machine Co., 3410 N. Prospect Rd.  Come between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sewing machines & fabric squares provided. Bring favorite notions, such as scissors, pins, etc. and your own lunch. Call 309-382-3672.

April 10 – Peoria County’s Victims Services Coordinator will present “Personal Safety,” a free public workshop 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at ICC’s North Campus. Participants will learn how to protect themselves against identity theft and how to avoid common scams. Free workshop – register – limited seating. Call 690-6900.

April 10 – Friends of Rocky Glen sponsors a Night Out for Parking Fundraiser 5 – 8 p.m. at the Locker Room, 112 SW Jefferson. Appetizers half price from 5 – 6 p.m. 10% of food and non-alcoholic sales will go towards developing a parking lot at Rocky Glen, the Peoria Park District’s newest park on Kickapoo Creek Rd.

April 10 – Fine Arts Society of Peoria presents “High Art for a Tough City: Lorado Taft and Chicago” by Dr. Wendy Greenhouse. Refreshments at 9:30 am; lecture at 10:00 am on April. 14. Anshai Emeth, 5614 N University, Peoria. Tickets at the door: Adults $10, Students $5. Call (309) 693-7600.

April 10 – The Peoria Genealogical Society features – Randy Couri. Learn about programs for organizing information; where to search for info; why I like Family Tree Maker; and putting together family books. Join us at the Peoria Public Library North Branch—3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

April 12 – Barn Dance at Shore Acres Clubhouse, Chillicothe. Live music by the Mound City Slickers. Beginners welcome. Begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission: $5, w/$20 maximum for families. Bring a snack to share. Call 309-274-5358 or 309-274-2228.

April 15 – Peoria Knit & Crochet Guild – Meets at Lakeview Library in the North Study Room 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Call 253-3997.

April 24 – 11:00 a.m. – noon – 7Ups Book Club – Join our discussion for “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. Call the Dunlap Public Library at (309) 243-5716.

April 26 – Bison Blessing & PowWow @ Wildlife Prairie Park 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call 676-0998. Join this sacred Native American ceremony co-hosted by Friends at Seven Circles Heritage Center. Bison blessing at 10:00 a.m.; the PowWow at noon. General admission applies, Special 2 DAY PASSES available.