Saturday, 8/3. The Peoria Civic Center will host the 41st annual St. Jude Telethon, with St. Jude runners from all over the Midwest arriving prior to the live broadcast, which starts at 6:30pm. stjude.org
Saturday, 8/3 & Sunday, 8/4. Wildlife Prairie Park will host Member Appreciation Weekend from 10am to 3pm. Members can enjoy hayrack rides to Hazel’s Hill, a ride on the Adventure Trek and live entertainment. wildlifeprairiepark.org
Saturdays, 8/3 thru 8/31. The Peoria Historical Society presents the Notable Peoria Women Tour, departing from the Caterpillar Visitors Center at 1:30pm. Other tours in August include the Grandview Drive and Springdale Cemetery tours on Fridays at 11:30am and Lincoln & the Civil War on Saturdays at 11:30am. peoriahistoricalsociety.com.
Sunday, 8/4. The traditional German picnic, Bratfest, takes place at Hickory Grove Park from noon to 8pm featuring food and craft beer tastings, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, a shooting tent and customized cars and motorcycles. peoriagermans.net
Wednesday, 8/7. Peoria Players Theatre kicks off its 101st season with Back to the ‘80s, The Totally Awesome Musical, a nostalgic romp through the greatest hits of the decade. peoriaplayers.org
Friday, 8/9. The Barn III in Goodfield will stage a benefit production of G.I. Jukebox for Phoenix Community Development Services. The musical comedy includes recreations of Abbott & Costello’s “Who’s on First” routine and the Andrews Sisters and Spike Jones’ hilarious sound effects spectacular, “Cocktails for Two.” phoenixcds.org
Saturday, 8/10. Ignite Peoria, home of the Midwest Makerfest, returns to the Peoria Civic Center with hundreds of local makers, musicians, artists, innovators, dancers and actors in one STEAM-inspired day of fun and learning. Doors open at 9am. ignitepeoria.com
Saturday, 8/10. The work of more than 70 national and international artists will be on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts Alumni Invitational from 6 to 9pm. All featured artists have spent time creating art in the PCA’s residency program. prairiecenterofthearts.org
Saturday, 8/10. The Peoria Riverfront Musuem presents “An Evening with Nathan Sawaya,” the artist behind “The Art of the Brick” exhibit, at 6pm. He will discuss his creative process and how he took the leap from lawyer to an artist who sculpts with LEGO bricks. peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
Thursday, 8/15. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce presents “Secrets of my Success” with Adam White, co-owner of RC Outfitters and Shazam Racing, at RC Outfitters from noon to 1pm. The event is free, but registration is required. peoriachamber.org
Saturday, 8/17. The Peoria Park District and Indo-American Society will host India Fest from 3 to 9pm on the Peoria Riverfront, featuring live music, Indian cuisine and traditional Indian dancing. peoriaparks.org
Friday, 8/23. “A Night at the Movies” is the theme for OLLI’s fifth annual Trivia Night Fundraiser from 5 to 9pm. Guests are invited to dress as their favorite movie characters; WMBD radio personalities Dan DiOrio and Greg Batton will emcee the event. bradley.edu/academic/continue/lifelong/olli
Friday, 8/23 thru Sunday, 8/25. Exhibit A Gallery in Peoria Heights presents Art Appraisals & Fine Art Sale with New York art dealer Walter Edelman. Find out what your work is worth on Friday and Saturday; pieces from Edelman’s collection will be on display and for sale on Sunday. exhibitagallery.net
Saturday, 8/24. The Center for Prevention of Abuse will host the 31st annual Duck Race at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The fun begins at 4pm with games and entertainment, with the race starting at 6pm. duckrace.com/peoria
Friday, 8/23 thru Sunday, 8/25. Peoria Riverfront Park will host the annual Peoria Irish Fest with live music, Irish dance performances and whiskey tastings. The event kicks off with the Happy Hour 5K. peoriairishfest.com
Thursday, 8/29. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University presents Starting a Business in Illinois from 3 to 5pm at Fondulac Bank in East Peoria. The workshop is free and open to the public. bradley.edu/turner/sabil
Friday 8/30 & Saturday, 8/31. The Peoria Blues and Heritage Festival will feature Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Here Come the Mummies, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, and many others. For the full lineup, visit
peoriabluesandheritagefestival.com.
