Independence Day Festivities Set for Peoria and East Peoria, Illinois

Celebrate Independence Day with a bang at the following events in Peoria and East Peoria, Ill. this July.

A fireworks spectacular will be presented by the Peoria Park District July 3 with events from 4-10 p.m. at the Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre, 2218 N. Prospect Road in Peoria.

Bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early to get the best seats. General seating is free, but donations are appreciated. Food vendors will also be available.

Special reserved seating is available. The Patriot Package features bench seating for four in the Amphitheatre plus two free meal tickets to the Peoria Pork District for $25.

The Star Package is $50 and includes bench seating or a grassy picnic spot for four, two free meal tickets plus one reserved parking spot in the amphitheatre lot.

To reserve either of these seating packages, contact Jodi at (309) 681-2854 or email jzielke@peoriaparks.org.

Entertainment prior to the fireworks at Glen Oak includes: the PPD Explosion Cheer Team from 4-5 p.m.; CCT's Great Expectations Show Chorus from 5-5:30 p.m.; Clonmel Marching Band from 6-7:30 p.m. and the Peoria Municipal Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at dark.

Rather stay away from the hustle and bustle during Independence celebrations?

Tower Park, 1222 E Kingman Avenue in Peoria Heights, offers tickets both July 3 and 4 to go up in the observation tower and watch various fireworks displays.

After riding the glass elevator to the top of the 200-foot tall tower, displays from miles around can be seen.

Tickets are $2.50 for adults and $1.50 for children (age 5 to 12). Seniors (age 65 and up) are $2 and children under 5 are free. Call (309) 682-8732 for information.

East Peoria and Peoria will participate in a combined celebration centered around the Illinois River, Methodist Red, White and Boom, on July 4. Admission is free and activities begin at 5 p.m.

In East Peoria's RiverFront Park, enjoy food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, a live broadcast by Lite Rock 107, and a beer tent behind TGI Fridays.

Helicopter rides will be available just north of Interstate 74, with walk-up access under the Murray Baker Bridge.

Along Peoria's riverfront, from the lawn near the Riverplex to Liberty Park, food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, radio station broadcasts and more will be available.

Just Kick'n It will play at Peoria's Liberty Park near the River Station building from 6-8 p.m.

Beginning at 8:15 p.m., both the East Peoria and Peoria side of the river will enjoy an hour of preview airplane acrobatics from the upcoming 2009 Prairie Air Show.

The approximate 8,000 shell firework display in the skies, launched from barges in the middle of the Illinois River, will be choreographed to music on the JMP Radio Group stations. The display will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Boaters can watch the display from the river. The Coast Guard will close the river from the Murray Baker to the Bob Michael bridge between 8-11 p.m. for the fireworks show. The marina and docks by the Landing on the Peoria side of the river will close at 5 p.m.

For more details on Methodist Red, White and Boom, visit http://www.redwhiteandboom.us.