Red White and Boom 2022 – It’s Back!
Peorians will be glad to know that the Annual Red, White & Boom fireworks celebration on the Peoria riverfront is returning for 2022. This is the Peoria area’s largest annual event, with an estimated 200,000 people viewing the show on both the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts. The display ranks among the top 2% in the United States and the approximately 2,000 shells per minute are shot from a barge in the Illinois river. The fireworks are choreographed with music which is broadcast on 7 radio stations owned by Midwest Communications. The Peoria Park District along with the radio station group are the organizers of the event.
To kick off the holiday weekend, the Joe Stamm Band with Nick Sizemore will perform on the Peoria Riverfront on Friday, July 1st and Free Fallin: The Tom Petty Concert Experience will perform there on Saturday, July 2nd. On July 4 beginning at 6 pm, the Stone Cold Cowboys will perform at Liberty Park. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 pm.
If you’d like to see the Peoria fireworks but in a more private setting, there are three great options. One is taking place at Eastport Banquet Center in East Peoria for their 4th of July BBQ. Featuring live music by Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard, Barrack’s Cater Inn’s BBQ dinner buffet and dessert plus a cash bar. Then watch the fireworks from the private deck on the riverfront (or stay in the air conditioning to watch). Cost is $45 per person. Call 309-692-3990 to make reservations.
Another great option for a more private 4th of July experience is the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s 4th of July Backyard BBQ from 6 – 10 pm. Tickets are $45 for members or $55 for the public or $25 for member kids aged 3 – 12 or $35 for kids aged 3 – 12 (public) and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet by Cracked Pepper, a cash bar, admission into the Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence and all the museum’s galleries, the Enjoy Dome Planetarium laser shows, Giant Screen Theater immersive educational films plus free water & lemonade. View the Peoria downtown fireworks on the Museum’s patio (bring your own seating) or watch from inside in the air conditioning. Treats from Young’s Popcorn Heaven, Kona Ice & Sucré Sweets and Socials will also be available.
And the third more private option will take place at the Peoria Historical Society’s Flanagan House Museum back lawn (942 NE Glen Oak Ave. in Peoria) beginning at 6 pm. Admission is $5 for adults or $2 for children under 12 and tours of the house are $5. Bring your own seating. Popcorn and beverages will be available for for purchase.
Surrounding Community 4th of July Fireworks
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce will host their 2022 4th of July Honor America Celebration at Pekin High School Memorial Stadium with gates opening at 6 pm and fireworks beginning at approximately 9:15 pm. There will be entertainment and games for families and kids prior to the fireworks and food and drinks will also be available for purchase hosted by the PCHS Booster Club. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under are free.
For those in north Peoria, the fireworks at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe might be your best bet. Admission is free (donations are requested) and there will be concessions and a cash bar plus a DJ and a bounce house. Parking is first-come, first-served, so get there early for a spot with full visibility.
3rd of July Celebrations
Morton’s Annual Fireworks display will take place on Sunday, July 3rd at McClallen Park at the corner of U.S. Route 150 (East Jackson Street) and Tennessee Avenue on the east side of Morton with gates opening at 4 pm. There will be live music by Revel in Red beginning at 5 pm. There will also be food vendors, a beer tent, a “Kid’s Zone” with inflatables and Laser Ops Mobile Gaming with the fireworks at dark. Admission is free. Bring blankets and chairs. There will be parking on-site plus Morton Park District residents can purchase for $5 in advance on their website. Additional free event day parking and viewing locations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the United Methodist Church (420 N. Tennessee Ave.) and Grace Church (1325 E. Jefferson St.). For more information, visit their Facebook page.
The Peoria Park District’s Annual 3rd of July Celebration at Glen Oak Park is back again after the last 2 years of COVID. Admission to the Peoria Zoo and Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum is only $3 per person beginning at Noon. Parking is $5 beginning at 2 pm. VIP packages are $50 and include a reserved bench seat or a picnic spot for 4 people plus a reserved parking spot (must be parked by 7 pm). Click HERE for online registration for VIP packages. The Peoria Municipal Band will play beginning at 8 pm, with Fireworks starting at dusk (approximately at 9:30 pm).
Other 4th of July Celebration Events
The Peoria Jaycees Firecracker 5000 5k mile run/walk will take place on Monday, July 4th beginning at 7:30 pm. The 3.1-mile flat course through downtown Peoria and along the Riverfront with two water stations along the way begins and ends at the former Hooters location. Registration is $35 through June 18 and includes chip timing, a commemorative shirt (while supplies last), and a post-race party with a beer token for racers 21 years and over. For more information and to register, visit https://www.peoriajaycees.com
The West Peoria 4th of July Parade returns for its 50th year starting at the corner of Sterling Ave. and Rohmann Ave. in West Peoria at 10 am.
The Peoria Historical Society will host an event on the 4th on Pettengill-Morron House Museum lawn (1212 W. Moss Ave. in Peoria) from Noon – 2 pm. Featuring the Peoria Pops Orchestra, pony rides and refreshments, bring your own seating. Admission is free, however donations are requested.
And if you want to catch a baseball game to go along with your fireworks this year, the Peoria Chiefs will do one after their game one 4th vs the Beloit Sky Carp starting at 5:35 pm. Tickets are $14 for field seating, $16 for dugout seating. After the game, you can view the Peoria fireworks from the stadium.
As always, make sure to check out the ExplorePeoria.com Events Calendar for Peoria area entertainment & events including Red White and Boom 2022!
