A River City

PULSING WITH ACTIVITY

The Peoria riverfront is a hub of activity with its art galleries, music venues, dining and shopping experiences and even horse-drawn carriage rides. The RiverFront Marina and Spirit of Peoria riverboat are major draws, while newly constructed and revitalized historic buildings and scenic walkways bring visitors back to shore. The Gateway Building provides an elegant venue for business or social functions, and the RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center is a sleek, modern fitness center for all ages.

Begin your Saturday morning at the Peoria RiverFront Market, a seasonal venture offering Illinois-grown produce and products, local artisans and musicians. Here you can pick up fresh, organic delicacies and homemade products while enjoying arts programs coordinated by the Peoria Art Guild and entertainment from local musicians.

Across the river, similar transformations are underway. Plans for the revitalization of Pekin’s riverfront continue to move forward, with exciting designs for a fishing pier, festival plaza, walking trails, playgrounds and recreational areas.

East Peoria is home to the EastPort complex, complete with a marina, luxurious riverside residences and choices for lodging, shopping and dining. It is also home to Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, downstate Illinois’ finest gaming and entertainment destination. The Par-A-Dice offers four restaurants, 208 luxury guestrooms, a full-service casino boat with more than 1,000 games and a full calendar of activities every month.

THE RIVERFRONT COMES ALIVE!

From spring through the fall, music, entertainment and food make waves as an eclectic series of festivals unfolds. India Fest, the Fine Art Fair, Rib Fest Cook-off, Erin Feis, Taste of Peoria, River City SoulFest and Oktoberfest are just a handful of the diverse festivals that have found a home on the riverfront.

The Fourth of July wouldn’t be the same without the breathtaking pyrotechnics of the Riverfront Sky Concert—now known as Methodist Red White & Boom! In 2007, both sides of the river joined forces to create a new tradition for the biggest show in downstate Illinois and among the top five percent in the nation.

The Steamboat Festival and the Classic Sports Festival are internationally known events that take place every June. The Classic Sports Festival includes the Steamboat Classic foot races and the Proctor Cycling Classic, both of which attract top athletes from around the world. The Steamboat Festival combines a carnival, food fair, music, entertainment, motorcycle stunt shows and powerboat races in a family-friendly atmosphere.

In addition to its famed festivals, the riverfront hosts numerous other unique events throughout the year. Last summer, the LST 325, a restored World War II-era ship and floating museum, docked in Peoria for several weeks. Several weeks later, a replica of the Nina, Christopher Columbus’ favorite ship, also docked at the riverfront, offering daily tours to the public.

PRESERVING THE RIVER VALLEY

The Illinois River basin, bluffs and wetlands are the source of central Illinois’ distinctive personality, so it’s not surprising that communities here have banded together to protect the health of the river. Numerous projects are ongoing to reduce erosion and sediment going into the river and stabilize streambeds. Recent federal legislation will provide for the construction of sediment-fighting islands in Lower Peoria Lake.

The Peoria Lakes Basin Alliance is led by a number of public bodies, including the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Tri-County Riverfront Action Forum, the Heartland Water Resources Council and The Nature Conservancy. The coalition works with public and private entities to ensure that the abundant Illinois River Valley works its magic for generations to come. PP