The summer festival season is about to begin. Mark your calendar for the following events, which range from art and musicfestivals to culture, food and more.
1. Solshine Reverie Music Festival
Summer Camp will present the Solshine Reverie music festival May 24-26 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe. The weekend event will include a variety of performances across multiple stages, expansive campgrounds, late-night shows, live art and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.solshinereverie.com.
2. Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard's Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival will be held May 25-26, at the vineyard, 33633 IllinoisRoute 9, Mackinaw. This year's festival will feature over 50 wines and 60-plus craft beers for tasting and purchase from around the world. There will also be music throughout both days by local artists and bands. Admission is $15 per person and includesthe concerts, a souvenir tasting glass and fivetasting tickets for ages 21 and over; $5 for ages 13-20; and free forages 12 and under.
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3. Elmwood Strawberry Festival
The annual Strawberry Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, in downtown Elmwood.Central Park at the corner of Main and Magnolia will befilled with crafters and vendors, as well asfood, including lots of strawberry desserts, and local entertainers. This year's theme will be "Jurassic Park" For a full schedule of events, visit https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodstrawberryfest. Admission is free.
4. Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza
The Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza will take place June 6-8 on the Peoria riverfront. The event will include an adventure zone with a mobile ninja course and bounce houses, a drone light show and concerts featuring grammy-nominated artists Joe Nichols and Everclear. For a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaparks.org/pap.
5. Tremont Turkey Festival
The annual Tremont Turkey Festival will take place June 7-9 in downtown Tremont. Activities will include a carnival, country store, car show, parade, live entertainment and a variety of turkey dishes. For a full schedule of events, visit turkeyfestival.com.
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6. Peoria 2024 Juneteenth Festival
Peoria's 2024 Juneteenth Festival will be held June 15 at John H. Gwynn Jr. Park,809 W.John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. The event will feature a tribute to hip-hop show, horseback riding, an opportunity to meet your elected officials, car show, health and wellness fair, a basketball alumni game, free youth haircuts, community awards, a live DJ, dance performances, community resource and local business vendors and more. Admission is free.
7. Heart of Illinois Fair
The HOI Fair will be July 16-20 at Exposition Gardens. The fair will features a carnival, various agricultural events, a demolition derby, a high-flying trapeze show and more. For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.heartofillinoisfair.com.
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8. River City Pride Fest
River City Pride Fest 2024, presented by Peoria Proud, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Riverfront Park in Downtown Peoria. Admission is free and the event will include activities for the whole family. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaproud.org.
9. Fiesta en el Rio
Fiesta en el Rio, a music festival that celebrates Hispanic and Latino culture, will be held July 27, at CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria riverfront. The event will include authentic Latin American food and drink, a children’s area, entertaining and upbeat bands, salsa dancing lessons and much more. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door, free for children 12 and younger. For tickets and more information, visit https://peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/fiesta-en-el-rio/.
10. River City Soul Fest
The Peoria Park District's River City Soul Fest and Gospel Fest will celebrate its 25th year August 2-3 at RiverFront Festival Park, 200 NE Water St. The event feature a lineup of both acclaimed and local artists performing a variety of R&B, soul and gospel music. More information will be announced soon at www.soulfestpeoria.com.
11. Italian Society Festa
The Italian American Society's 93rd Festa Picnic will be held August 11 at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 N. Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. The picnic will include authentic Italian food and desserts, Italian and domestic beer and wines, Italian t-shirts and gift items, live music by Vince Amore and Jack Miuccio, children's activities, local artisans, a bocce tournament and more. For more information, visit www.italianamericansociety.com.
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12. India Fest
The Peoria Park District and the Indo-American Society will present India Fest on August 17 at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria riverfront. Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine served by local Indian restaurants. The event will also include Bollywood-style entertainment, arts and crafts, rangoli, yoga demonstrations, Bollywood dance lessons and much more. For more information, visit peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/india-fest.
13. Peoria Irish Fest
The annual Peoria Irish Fest will be August 23-25 on the Peoria Riverfront. Get ready to enjoy Celtic culture galore through music, dancing, Highland Games, exhibits, interactive sessions, culture, music, food, storytelling, dance and more. For more information, visit peoriairishfest.com.
14. Blues & Heritage Music Festival
The 34th annual Peoria Blues & Heritage Music Festival will be held August 30-31 at Peoria Riverfront Festival Park. This end-of-summer event will include a world-class lineup of artists from blues, roots, funk, soul and everything in between. For a full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, visit www.PBHFest.com.
15. Oktoberfest in Peoria
Oktoberfest will be Sept. 20-22 at the Peoria Riverfront Park. Enjoy authentic German cuisine and drinks, listen to polka music and more. More information will be available soon at www.oktoberfestpeoria.com.
16. Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair
The 62nd annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair will be Sept. 28-29 on the Peoria Riverfront. As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the art fair is nationally recognized and showcases national, regional and local artists. The Art Fair featuresoriginal works of art will include jewelry, painting, ceramics, photography, digital art and so much more.This is the Peoria Art Guild's major fundraising event of the year.All proceeds benefit the Art Guild's community outreach and programming. For more information, visithttps://www.peoriaartguild.org/fine-art-fair-event-info.
