THINGS-TO-DO

Celebrating the Fourth of July: 5 things to do near Peoria this holiday weekend

Josh Jenke
Journal Star

Independence Day weekend is full of activities. Here are five events you might want to check out in the Peoria area.

Concert for the City

Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, along with First Baptist Church of Peoria and Connect Church of Washington, is hosting a Concert for the City on Saturday, July 2, at Dozer Park in Peoria. Gates open at 6 p.m. and performances by Jordan Feliz, a top-selling Christian pop artist, and Victor Solomon, Peoria's very own finalist on "The Voice," begin at 6:30 p.m. The night will be capped off with a fireworks show. Concessions will be open throughout the concert.

A Patriotic Gospelfest

God Bless America, A Patriotic Gospelfest, will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at Five Points Washington, 360 N. Wilmor Road, Washington. The concert will feature Shawn Degenhart and the GospelFest Singers & Choir. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free and a love offering will be taken. The concert will also include a special recognition of our veterans and those currently serving and a color guard presentation.

More to do:Ice cream season is underway at these Peoria-area stands and drive-ins

German-American Society presents Volksfest

The Peoria German-American Society will be hosting its annual Volksfest from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. Live entertainment will be provided by Vogel Musik, Al’s Pals and Lindenhof Echoes. A German gift tent will be open, offering a number of imported items from Germany for sale. There will also be a Kunst und Handwerk Markt, featuring a variety of handmade items from local artisans. The craft show will run from noon to 5 p.m. German food and beer will also be available. Admission is free.

West Peoria Fourth of July parade

Larry and Shirley Hackman of Washington don their finest patriotic fashions as they dance the parade route Thursday, July 4, 2019 during the 49th annual West Peoria Fourth of July Parade.

The West Peoria Fourth of July parade and flag raising celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, July 4, through the streets of West Peoria. The parade will start at the intersection of Sterling and Rohmann avenues. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.cityofwestpeoria.org.

More:Here's a list of fireworks shows for July 2nd, July 3rd and July 4th in the Peoria area

Fireworks galore

Onlookers watch the Red, White and Boom! fireworks display Thursday night, July 4, 2019, along the riverfront in Peoria and East Peoria.

Several fireworks shows are planned throughout the Peoria area this weekend. These presentations include the Glen Oak Park fireworks on Sunday, July 3, at Glen Oak Park in Peoria; the Fourth of July celebration on Sunday, July 3, at McClallen Park in Morton; Red, White and Boom on Monday, July 4, on the Peoria/East Peoria riverfront; the Honor America Celebration on Monday, July 4, at Pekin Memorial Stadium; the Chillicothe fireworks on Monday, July 4, at Three Sisters Park; the Elmwood fireworks on Monday, July 4, at Streetwater Park in Elmwood; and Food Truck Frenzy and fireworks on Monday, July 4, at Eureka Lake in Eureka.