PEORIA, Ill. – A celebration of America for her 250th birthday is near, and so is one of America’s best fireworks shows on the Peoria and East Peoria Riverfronts.
On July 4th, the 40th edition of Choose Greater Peoria Red, White, and BOOM will take place. The show is in the top 1% of fireworks shows in the United States.
Community and city leaders gathered Wednesday morning to share details of the 2026 edition of BOOM.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali says the event has grown into a favored tradition in central Illinois.
“A tradition that unites families and friends and neighbors and visitors from all across central Illinois,” Ali said. “It really brings us together in unity, to celebrate our freedoms, our independence.”
Midwest Communications General Manager and BOOM organizer Mike Wild says the fireworks will be shot from a barge in the middle of the Illinois River, with the barge donated by ADM ARTCO. The fireworks show will be choreographed to music on 93.3 The Drive, Mix 106.9, 104.9 the Wolf, KZ 102.3, and 102.7 Super Hits. A play-by-play of the fireworks can be heard here on 1470 & 100.3 WMBD.
Wild says there will be new effects with premium made Italian shells, in 15 different varieties, which he says are only used for the biggest shows in the country. And Wild says it will all lead up to a powerful finish.
“The last 30 seconds in particular is going to be really, really intense,” Wild said. “In the last few seconds of the show alone, there’s going to be 600 shells exploding in the air.”
A flyover will take place before the fireworks show, with a C-130H Hercules from the 182d Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air Guard taking the air above the crowds.
With more than 200,000 expected on both sides of the river, extra security precautions are being taken this year.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon says there will be a designated area on his side of the river to view the fireworks.
“When you come in, there will be designated entry areas. Any bags you have or may have will be searched prior to entry. They’ll be metal detectors you walk through, and we’ll have people assisting with that,” Dixon said.
East Peoria Police Chief David Catton says they will have checkpoints and barriers set up on his side of the river, just like last year.
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