This June issue of The Community Word will be available yet in May and will share information of our ongoing Memorial Day celebration that is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28th at Franciscan Park. This time slot allows those who might be traveling to celebrate the patriotism of Memorial Day as well as people who will be spending the day in West Peoria. This ongoing celebration includes presenting of the colors by local Scouts as well as some special thoughts attributed to this day. The featured speaker is West Peoria resident Debbie Gaught, who is treasurer and co-founder of the Fuller Center for Veterans Housing that provides home repairs for veterans and widows of veterans. Come with youth, your families, and veterans. Bring chairs. Enjoy a grass-roots Memorial Day and honor our vets.

The memorial respects veterans who lived in West Peoria when they served. Their names are on the memorial which replaces one once located at the fire department.

50TH FOURTH: Much time is being devoted now to West Peoria’s Fourth of July celebration. This year marks the 50th parade with two years off because of the pandemic. This event began when Cub Scout Pack 11 leaders searched for a patriotic celebration for their Scouts and families to celebrate. The first year consisted of Scouts, parents, leaders and families with an assist by the West Peoria Fire Department. It has grown in magnitude ever since and is now the premiere celebration in central Illinois with thousands of viewers and participants. Many families have three generations involved. Plan your own mini version.

Volunteers are very much needed as block captains, judges, sign-in and distributing placement information and placement numbers. Contact City Hall by phoning, walking in, emailing or texting to be a part of it. Visit City Hall on the internet Facebook page. Involve your family, have your home “spiffed up” to show our many visitors the attractive community of West Peoria. Phone number is (309) 674-1993 and website is www.cityofwestpeoria.org

T-shirts and other celebration items have been ordered and will arrive in City Hall prior to the Fourth. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and follows the route of Sterling to Moss to Waverly to Rohmann, turning right on Sterling for the flag raising ceremony at Franciscan Park. Parking will likely be a problem as Swords Bridge will be undergoing construction and will be closed. Allow time for locating parking.

Each year, a grand marshal is chosen from the many volunteers who continue to assist our community. Send nominations to City Hall naming your nominee with their qualifications and contact information as well as your contact info. This is a surprise to the winner and isn’t announced until parade lineup.

LUNCH TIME: 2022 Sandwich Days have started and will be available for you to pick up a quick lunch to help raise funds for the fire department. Watch for the signs that will be posted the week of these special days. This happens each warm weather season.

REMINDERS FROM CITY HALL: Do not blow or rake landscape waste into the streets because it can block sewers. No door-to-door soliciting allowed.

RIDE A BUS: CityLink has been extending its services and you can learn specifics on its website at www.ridecitylink.org.

Brief lesson for you here: CityLink has 20 bus routes with Route 5 serving West Peoria. There are new electric buses with zero emissions that are being switched around on various routes for riders to enjoy. The CityLink campus is being expanded and updated to better serve people in the cities of Peoria, West Peoria, and Village of Peoria Heights areas. There is also disability service, CityLift and County Lift. Visit the website to apply.

The very long winter with almost continuous weather is over.

Enjoy the beauties of spring.