Irish dancers entertain the audience at Peoria Irish Fest. The dancers will perform at this year’s Irish Fest on the riverfront.

STATE

Immunizations not for children only: health officials

When most people hear the words vaccine or immunization, they think about childhood vaccines. And while vaccinating babies and children is critical to staying healthy, you never outgrow the need for immunizations. During National Immunization Awareness Month, the Illinois Department of Public Health reminds the public that the need for vaccinations does not end in childhood. Adults should get flu vaccine each year and receive a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster vaccine or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) every 10 years. Tdap is also recommended for pregnant women during each pregnancy.

Adults 50 years and older are recommended to receive the shingles vaccine. Adults 65 and older are also recommended to receive both pneumococcal vaccines. Some adults younger than 65 years with certain conditions are also recommended to receive one or more pneumococcal vaccinations. Adults may need other vaccines (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV) depending on their age, if pregnant, occupation, travel, medical conditions, vaccinations they have already received, or other considerations.

For more information about immunizations, including vaccination schedules for infants, children, teens and adults, visit dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention- wellness/immunization. Adults can also take a vaccine quiz to see what vaccines are recommended at www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/.

EAST PEORIA 

Ceramics, mixed media artwork on display 

Two new exhibits are open in the art galleries at Illinois Central College East Peoria Campus. 

“Interior Architecture,” an exhibit of ceramics by Ginger Lukas, is in Gallery 336B, in the Academic Building. 

A mixed media exhibit entitled “P.I.E.C.E.S.,” consisting of fiber art and painting by Trish Williams, is open in the Performing Arts Center Gallery. An artist talk is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 at the gallery. 

Both exhibits will be on display through noon on Sept. 14. 

Lukas is an artist in residence in the Enos Park Residency for Visual Artists in Springfield. Lukas recently began working with ceramics again following a hiatus. In the interim, her artwork involved using consumer objects and text to play with words and humor. Her clay work has been shown internationally. 

Williams’ “P.I.E.C.E.S.” exhibit stands for “Precepts Inspirited by Episodes of Creative Expressions of Self” and is an exhibition of fiber art. The exhibit utilizes fabrics, threads, yarns, needles and things associated with needlework, which Williams said have been a great part of her life. She learned to quilt by being around family members who quilted, and she said she learned the “rhythm of coordinating colors and buying great fabrics” from her mother.

PEORIA

Irish Fest to be held at the riverfront

The city of Peoria’s 20-year sister city link with Clonmel, Ireland, will be acknowledged during this year’s Peoria Irish Fest. The fest will bring three days of Irish entertainment and Celtic culture to central Illinois, Aug. 24-Aug. 26. The festival will sell Clonmel-based hard cider Magners, and those who attend will have the opportunity to meet Clonmel officials and residents. Festival organizers also will announce a special surprise related to the sister city anniversary.

Bands from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and all across America will performed. Along with Irish dancers, Highland games, unique crafts and shopping, and food and beverages, this will be the largest Irish festival in Illinois outside of Chicago. It will be held at the Peoria Riverfront. 200 NE Water St.

Paddy Homan, a gifted Irish tenor who will be perform all three days of the festival. The full music schedule can be found at peoriairishfest.com/stage-schedule.

The Cultural Village will be the location for exhibits about customs and features of Celtic life, including Celtic jewelry, Irish boxing, Irish wolfhounds and the Ancient Order of Hiberians exhibit. The Hive will conduct Celtic art classes for two hours starting at noon on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27.

Athletes can test their strength at the Highland Games on Aug. 25, which is an exhibition, and Aug. 26, a sanctioned competition. For those who simply want to partake in a little cardio, the Happy Hour 5K will start at 6 p.m. Aug. 24, with participants receiving free admission, a souvenir pint glass and two beverage tickets.

Irish food and alcohol can be purchased at the festival’s four pubs.

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria will celebrate mass, the Peoria Irish Fest annual Liturgy for Peace and Justice at the North Stage. Music will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 26. Entry to the fest will be free 9:30 – 11 a.m. Aug. 26 with a canned good donation.

–Woodford County News Briefs–