With a fireworks show as big as UnityPoint Health Red, White and Boom, brought home by Adam Merrick Real Estate, it’s all in the details.
Midwest 360 Peoria Market Manager Mike Wild says Thursday’s fireworks show requires a massive amount of collaboration.
“There are 18 law enforcement agencies involved in this thing. And, you’ve got the Coast Guard. And, the (Peoria) Park District is our partner on this. And, they’re always wonderful to work with,” Wild said.
Wild tells WMBD’s Greg and Dan, Peoria’s fireworks show, in its 33rd year, is ranked in the top 2-percent of shows in the nation, with over $100-thousand dollars worth of fireworks set off from a pair of barges in the middle of the Illinois River.
Wild says storms should not be a problem for Thursday night’s show, though their may be some clouds.
“If you’re fighting with the stars in the sky to see the fireworks, it’s a little more transparent. Cloud cover is a really nice backdrop, and the fireworks look more brilliant against clouds,” Wild said.
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● Schedule of the 4 th of July events on the Peoria Side:
o 4pm Event Begins with Food Vendors
93.3 The Drive Broadcast
o 5pm Dunkin’ of Central Illinois Easy Pass Viewing Area Opens
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Kids
Zone, powered by Peoria Rentals opens
Experience a Flight Simulator provided by the US Air Force!
104.9 The Wolf Broadcast at Liberty & Water
SuperHits WIRL Broadcast at the Peoria RiverFront Museum
o 6pm The Joe Stamm Band Performs at Liberty & Water Street
o 9:25 pm The Pledge of Allegiance performed by Aiden & Declan, sons of
Charles and Katie Kim, of The Kim Group
The National Anthem sung by Nicole Schneider of UnityPoint
Health
o 9:30pm Fireworks Begin! The Biggest Display of Fireworks in Illinois!
o 10:00pm Event Ends
● 4 th of July Schedule of Events: East Peoria
o 5-8p Wildlife Prairie Park exhibits
o 5-8p Pork chops and hot dogs, soda and water from The East Peoria
High School Athletic Boosters Club
o 5-10p Mix 106.9 Live broadcast
o 9:30pm Fireworks Begin! The Biggest Display of Fireworks in Illinois!
o 10:00pm Event Ends
o Absolutely no fireworks of any kind are allowed in Riverfront Park including
sparklers. No alcohol and no grilling. All tents are to be removed/lowered by
8:45pm. Bass Pro Shops will close its store at 6pm and its large parking lot will be
available for fireworks viewing via Riverside Drive.
● Parking
○ There are thousands of parking spaces covering both sides of the river, along
with several parking decks in downtownPeoria.
○ There will also be lots of on the street parking in downtown Peoria due to the
holiday.
○ Handicapped parking will be available at the city lot across from the CAT parking
garage at the foot of Hamilton at Water in Peoria. All of these spaces are
available on a first come, first served basis. Vehicles must display the proper
handicapped license plate or mirror tag. The CAT will not be available for
parking other than Handicapped.
○ In East Peoria handicapped parking spaces are located in the parking lot adjacent
to RiverFront Park and in Walmart’s parking lot near the automotive center. All
of these spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Vehicles must
display the proper handicapped license plate or mirror tag.
○ No RV or trailer parking will be allowed in the RiverFront Park parking lot.
○ In addition, no parking of any kind will be allowed on the Conference Center
Drive near the Embassy Suites.
