AUG.  10 

 

Preview Night for the Illinois State Fair 

Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight 

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield 

$5 adults; children 12 and under free 

Fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 20. Open 7 a.m.-midnight each day. Normal admission is $10 for adults. Parker per day is $5. For more information, visit ilinois.gov/statefair. 

 

AUG.  11 

 

Peoria Pops Orchestra Celebrates American Composers 

Friday, 7-10 p.m. 

Five Points, 360 N. Wilmor Rd., Washington 

$12; $8 child 

Listen to the innovative compositions of influential American composers. For more information, call (309) 444-8222. 

 

AUG.  11-12 

 

Grand Nationals Weekend 

Begins at 7 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. on Saturday 

Festival Park, Peoria Riverfront 

$10 on Friday; $20 on Saturday 

The event celebrates the running of the Grand National TT Motorcycle Races that will take place at the PMC Race Park in Bartonville on Sunday. For more details and ticket information, visit http://grandnationalsweekend.com 

 

AUG.  12 

 

Concert in the Park 

Saturday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Alpha Park pavilions. Free 

Bring our blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a musical concert by “Bridges.” Vendor food will be supplied by Nacho Mama’s Food Truck and LGSA concessions. For more information, call (309) 697-3822. 

 

Ignite Peoria 

Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson St. 

Free 

Event showcases hundreds of local musicians, artists, innovators, dancers and actors offering workshops, competitions, live performances, and a fashion photo shoot. For more information visit ignitepeoria.com. 

 

YMCA Summer Soiree 

Saturday, 6-10 p.m. 

7000 N. Fleming Ln., Peoria 

$75 

Event features live entertainment, a catered meal, complimentary drinks and a poolside silent auction. Must be 21 years old to enter. Youth programs at the YMCA will benefit. For more information, visit peoriaymca.org/soiree. 

 

Wildlife Prairie Concert 

Saturday, 7-11 p.m. 

3826 Taylor Rd, Hanna City 

$5 

Family-friendly event featuring the music of The Cusack Brothers. For more information, visit wildlifeprairiepark.org/wildfire-concert-series/. 

 

Uncovering the World’s Secrets on the Giant Screen 

Saturday, 7 p.m. 

Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St. 

$5 donation 

Join National Geographic Innovation Fellow Corey Jaskolski as he shares tales of exploring the world using high tech cameras, laser scanners, and drone systems that he and his team develop. For more information, call (309) 686-7000. 

 

Hummingbird & Bee Pollinator Festival 

Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Sommer Park, 6329 N. Koerner Rd., Edwards 

Free 

For more information, call (309) 691-8423. 

 

Native American Applique Beading 

Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon 

Camp Wokanda, 620 E. Boy Scout Rd., Chillicothe 

$10 

People aged 13 and older can learn create beaded flowers and leaf pictures. All supplies are provided. Please park in the lower lot and meet at the Nature Lab. For more information, call (309) 579-2157. 

 

See the Perseids Meteor Shower 

Saturday, 9-11:59 p.m. 

Tawny Oaks, 715 W. Singing Woods Rd., Edelstein 

Free 

If there’s no rain or clouds, you may see some shooting stars. Bring your own seating and some bug spray. For more information, call (309) 418-7051. 

 

Vineyard Concert Features Exter O’Neal and the Funk Yard Band 

Saturday, 7-11 p.m. 

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, 33633 State Rt. 9 

$5 cover charge; $5 more for deck seating 

Bring your own seating to enjoy the music. Wine tasting and wine, beer, sodas, pizzas, cheese & crackers and chocolates for sale. For more information, call (309) 359-9463. 

 

AUG.  13 

 

Summer Fiesta Picnic 

Sunday, noon-6 p.m. 

Hickory Grove Park, 12403 N. Hickory Grove Rd., Dunlap 

$3 

There will be Italian food, beverages, a gift booth, live entertainment provided by Vince Amore and Jack Miuccio, children’s activities, a spaghetti-eating contest and bocce ball tournaments. For more information, visit http://italianamericansociety.com. 

 

Old Time Folk & Country Jam 

Sunday, 3:30-5 p.m. 

Forest Park Nature Center, 4809 N. Forest Park Dr., Peoria Hts. 

Free 

Bring your guitar, fiddle, banjo or other acoustic instrument and join in the jam session. For more information, call (309) 686-3360. 

 

AUG.  14 

 

Comic Art Club 

Monday, 6-7:30 p.m. 

Alpha Park Library, 3527 S Airport Rd., Peoria 

Free 

Youth aged 10 and older can learn to draw comics like manga and graphic novels. All materials supplied. For more information, call (309) 697-3822. 

 

AUG.  15 

 

Family Movie at Five Points 

Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. 

360 N. Wilmor Rd., Washington 

$2; 62 and older admitted free 

Washington Christian Village sponsors the showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.” For more information, call (309) 444-3161. 

 

Imagination Grove Fun Day 

Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N. 725 East Rd., McLean 

Free, donations of bird seed appreciated 

Family centered nature-based play. Lemonade and snacks provided. For more information, call (309) 874-2174.

–Peoria County Calendar of Events–