40th FOLEPI

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40 th Annual FOLEPI

Festival of Lights Parade: November 23, 2024

Winter Wonderland: November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Welcome to the 40th Annual East Peoria Festival of Lights, one of the largest nighttime holiday festivals in the Midwest. What was originally planned as a onetime event, has grown into the award-winning festival we offer today.

There have been many changes throughout the history of this great Festival, and none of them could have been done without the help from the FOLEPI Construction Crew over these past 40 years. As the Festival of Lights Chairman, I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has helped with the Festival. From the creators of our amazing floats and displays, to our staff members who help work on the festivities year-round, and to the folks that volunteer to help with the Parade of Lights or another Festival event, thank you for all that you do!

In honor of the 40th anniversary, I am pleased to announce that we have built two new floats for this season, one of which being a replica of our Festival Wreath that sits atop Fondulac Drive. We are excited to share this new float with you all!

Please use the FOLEPI Guide to help make your East Peoria Festival of Lights visit a highlight of your holiday season. We look forward to seeing everyone this Festival season as you all get to see these amazing floats and creations that are larger than life!

On behalf of the City of East Peoria, we welcome you to this year’s Festival of Lights. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, the Festival of Lights will be the best ever! The Festival of Lights includes several events in which you are invited to participate: the Festival of Lights

Parade, Winter Wonderland, and FOLEPI’s Gifts Galore Shop & Stroll! We invite you to shop in the numerous stores we have to offer and dine in our variety of restaurants. Thank you for visiting and welcome to the 40th Annual Festival of Lights!

East Peoria City Council

A special thank you to the FOLEPI Construction Crew: John Broshears, John Durst, and John Shank

FOLEPI Welcomes You!

“Folepi” (pronounced F0-LEE-PEE) is the wooden soldier whose name is an acronym for the Festival Of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois. This year, we are celebrating 40 years with Folepi! A symbol of volunteerism in East Peoria, Folepi represents the pride in our community by the people who volunteer for this event every year.

The East Peoria holiday displays create a delightful festival, but the real magic is the hard work and community spirit that radiate from the volunteers. From all who volunteer with the Festival of Lights, we would like to say “Thank you for visiting the Festival of Lights and Welcome to East Peoria!”

East Peoria Chamber of Commerce 201 Clock Tower Dr. East Peoria, IL 61611-2449 Phone 309-699-6212 www.welcometoeastpeoria.com Email: epcc@epcc.org

Design, advertisements and printing: Limelight Communications, Inc.

Photographs: City of East Peoria, East Peoria Festival of Lights Commission, East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and Eastlight Theatre.

*Some information has been reprinted with permission of the City of East Peoria from www.cityofeastpeoria.com. www.epcc.org

East Peoria City Council (l. to r.) Commissioner Dan Decker, Commissioner Mark Hill, Mayor John Kahl, Commissioner Seth Mingus, and Commissioner Michael Sutherland

TWho Knew When It Started That the Festival Would Grow This Big?

he 40th Annual East Peoria Festival of Lights is a holiday tradition now spanning generations of families. The lighted floats are creations of art, earning accolades statewide and garnering national attention. But they looked quite different 40 years ago when the Festival of Lights first started, envisioned as a one-time event.

The first Parade of Lights was very grand for its time. There had never been a nighttime parade in Central Illinois. The floats in the 1984 parade were constructed mostly of wood, wrapped with chicken wire, and covered with spray foam. Volunteers then added lights so the floats could be seen at night. There were 19 floats in that first parade, seven large ones designed to represent popular Christmas carols, and 12 smaller floats along with walking costumed characters, scouting and school groups, and business vehicles.

Starting with the third parade in 1987, the illusion came from the lights themselves forming the image. That was the first time pencil steel was used to create a float—the Paddle-wheeler which is still in the parade today. Also notable, the Paddle-wheeler is the first large float to be attached to a vehicle underneath it. This created the illusion at night that the Paddlewheeler was moving along the parade route under

its own power. Organizers knew they had something that had never been seen in Central Illinois. The fleet of floats grew from there. Some floats were retired, and new ones added, created by a volunteer group that became known as the Folepi Construction Crew and headed for many years by Wally Jaquet. The parade transformed from daytime entries lit for night to the elaborate creations seen today, with an average of 30 floats appearing annually. Lighting technology has greatly improved over the years, and in 2009 Festival organizers began changing the incandescent mini lights on the floats

to more efficient and brighter LED lights. This was no easy feat, as volunteers had to strip the floats of their old lights, attach new LED light strings, and then hand-clip each light to the float. Today, lights are still attached by hand as there is no machine that can do that task.

By 2010 many of the vehicles underneath the floats had reached the end of their lifespan. These were used cars to begin with, some dating back to the 1970s, and no amount of tweaking and tinkering with the engines and mechanical parts could ensure they would get all the way down the parade route. Knowing that the lighted floats are the stars of the show, organizers began a multi-year task of removing the vehicles and making all floats towable. This decision also helped ensure few to no float breakdowns along the parade route.

One constant in the Parade of Lights is the mascot Folepi. The parade has always been led by the live toy soldier, first portrayed by Frank Borror. Several men have had the honor of being Folepi during the past 40 years, with the longest serving being A.J. Boore from 1994 to 2012. Our current Folepi, Tim Cundiff, has had the honor for five years, starting in 2019.

The Parade of Lights is not the

only event that has evolved over time. The Festival’s Folepi’s Winter Wonderland drive-through display began in 1993, always located in VFW Post 2078 Park. The first display featured 15 parade floats, lighted arches, decorated trees and shrubs, and some purchased displays. The remainder of the parade floats were displayed, as they had been in prior years, in the parking lot of the Fon du Lac Park Administration Building and along the Farm Creek levee. A desire to protect the floats from potential vandals resulted in the eventual move of all floats to the drive-through display in the park.

With the conversion to using all LED lights, the Winter Wonderland’s electricity bill has decreased greatly. The bill was $80,000 when the festival displays were illuminated with incandescent light bulbs. With the switch to energy-efficient LED lights, the electricity bill dropped to approximately $5,000, and more power efficiencies are expected from a project in 2019 when the display was rewired and new spider boxes were added.

The Festival Wreath has also evolved during the past 40 years. The original wreath, used for 29 years, was a Ferris wheel that traveled on the carnival circuit. It was illuminated with colored fluorescent light tubes around the frame and a fluorescent light tube candle in the middle. A new wreath was unveiled for the festival’s 30th anniversary in 2014, illuminated with energy efficient LED lights on a metal frame attached to a trailer for easy transport to the display location on a bluff overlooking the city on Fondulac Drive. The Wreath has been in the same location for 39 of the festival’s 40 years. In 2007, organizers moved the Wreath to East Peoria’s RiverFront Park. However, residents and visitors preferred the traditional location, and the Wreath returned to its familiar perch in 2008.

Frank Borror 1984 A.J. Boore 1999

Another display that has been a constant bright light is the Henricks Star that shines over the city from a bluff in VFW Park. The original star was made of wood and illuminated with fluorescent light tubes and named for festival volunteer Andrew Henricks. The Henricks’ adult children wanted to honor the volunteerism of both their father and mother Cecelia and spearheaded a donation campaign to fund the construction of a new star in their memory. Donations completely funded the construction, and the new aluminum Henricks Star debuted in December 2017. The 24-foot diameter star is illuminated with LED lights, and as son Alan Henricks said, “It is high and bright to inspire people.”

The East Peoria Festival of Lights couldn’t have happened over the past 40 years without volunteer support, from building and lighting floats to walking as guides in the Parade of Lights and organizing the many individual events that occur during the festival’s annual holiday run. There has always been a chairman to keep things moving smoothly, and the Festival of Lights has benefitted from the leadership of the four chairmen in FOLEPI’s 40-year history: Maurice Joseph, Dan Cunningham, Doug McCarty, and current chairman Kory Brown.

At first conceived as a one-time event, the East Peoria Festival of Lights has evolved and grown, embracing new technologies and adding activities to bring holiday cheer to all who visit. It’s an award-winning festival, having received the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Awards in 1987 and 2005; being named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association in 1993, 2004, 2005, and 2007; and most recently winning the Heavyweights division on Season Eight of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2020.

Organizers and volunteers are excited to present the 40th annual festival and invite everyone to visit the East Peoria Festival of Lights.

Area Businesses Power

The Festival Floats

The East Peoria Festival of Lights Commission thanks the many businesses and organizations that reflect their pride in the community by serving as 2024 Festival of Lights sponsors:

North Pole Sponsors

AARP

Better Business Bureau

Carle Health

Caterpillar-East Peoria

IBEW Local 34

Illinois Central College

Midwest Engineering Associates, Inc.

(A Fehr Graham Company)

Rescue Roofing

Roadsafe Traffic Systems

Simantel

Stratus Networks

Jingle Bell Sponsor

Basic ITS

Cullinan Properties

Gift of Hope

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

Washington Chamber of Commerce

Rudolph Sponsors

5 Star Nutrition – East Peoria

ATS-Advanced Technology Services

Ameren Illinois

Aupperle Construction

Big Ray’s Express Lube

Busey Bank

CEFCU

Cloud9 Cannabis

Concentric Integration

Consociate Inc.

Covenant Heating & Air Conditioning

Enercon Engineering

Farnsworth Group

Farrells Extreme Bodyshaping

FCA Packaging

Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation

German-Bliss Equipment

Habitat for Humantiy ReStore

Jtec Industries

Just Kidz Dentistry

Kuchie’s On The Water

Kuhl Insurance

Maurer-Stutz

Miller, Hall & Triggs

OSF OnCall

Peoria Area Association of Realtors

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Progressive Careers and Housing

Ray’s Family Automotive

Saxony Court Senior Living &

Accolade Healthcare

Sikich

Steamfitters Local 353

Sun Collectors

Tazewell County Asphalt

The Putt Club

TNTs Sports Bar & Grill

Uftring AutoMall

In-Kind Sponsors

Mistletoe Sponsors

Carpenters Local Union #237

Carpet Weavers Flooring & Furniture Gallery

Century 21/Lincoln National Realty

CityLink

Commercial Irrigation and Turf

Eureka Et Cetera Shop

Federal Companies

Fondulac Banking Center

Fondulac District Library

G-Inspired Automall, LLC.

Heart Technologies

Kuna Foodservice

Lakeview Veterinary Clinic, LLC

Midwest Technical Institute

NuEra

Remmert Funeral Home, Ltd.

River City Construction

S&S Signs Lighting & Electrical

State Farm Insurance - Rich Dierker

Unland Insurance & Benefits

Wonderdog

Friends of FOLEPI

Allegra Marketing, Print & Mail

Eggcellent Café

FamilyCore

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church

Adams Outdoor Advertising • Bass Pro Shops • Brewers Distributing • Caterpillar Visitors Center • Chick-fil-A – East Peoria

Costco Wholesale – East Peoria • Culver’s of East Peoria • EastSide Centre • East Peoria Chamber of Commerce

Elevate Trampoline Park • Firehouse Pizza and Pub • Fon du lac Park District • Mickie’s Pizzeria • Midwest Communications

Peoria Civic Center • Dairy Queen East Peoria • Springfield Electric • WEEK-TV

Televised Parade

Watch the replay of the Parade Saturday, December 14th at 6pm on WMBD-TV, Monday, December 23rd at 12:30pm on WYZZ and Wednesday, December 25th at 5pm on WMBD-TV.

2024 Floats and Estimated Number of LED Lights

57 Chevy, 14,000 lights

Baby Puff, 8,000 lights

Baby Shamu, 4,000 lights

Batmobile, 12,000 lights

Bear on Sled, 16,000 lights

Bunny, 7,000 lights

Chinese Dragon, 21,000 lights

Chopper, 15,000 lights

Clydesdales, 50,000 lights

D10 Tractor, 1,400 lights

Dinosaur, 35,000 lights

Discovery, 13,500 lights

Duck & Ducklings, 19,500 lights

1934 Duesenberg, 13,000 lights

E.P. Noel Riverboat, 14,000 lights

Enloader, 4,000 lights

Enterprise, 48,000 lights

Festival Wreath, 1,250 lights

Flag and Military, 4,000 lights

Guitar, 2,000 lights

Helicopter, 4,000 lights

Holiday Living Room, 2,364 lights

Hook & Ladder, 27,500 lights

Monster Truck, 5,000 lights

Puff the Dragon, 17,000 lights

Purple People Eater, 5,000 lights

Reindeer, 7,000 lights

Santa, 4,000 lights

Snowman, 9,200 lights

Starfighter, 18,000 lights

Steam Train, 65,000 lights

Ti-Fighter, 6,500 lights

Toy Tank, 4,000 lights

Toy Train, 18,000 lights

Triceratops, 25,000 lights

Trolley, 14,000 lights

Virgil’s Dirigible, 20,000 lights

Welcome, 4,500 lights

Whale, 15,000 lights

Winter Wonderland, East Peoria, IL

Open Nov. 29, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025

The 100% LED drive through park is the Festival of Lights’ signature event! Folepi’s Winter Wonderland features the majority of the Parade of Lights floats and many other lighted displays. This year will feature the return of some favorite displays from the past 40 years.

Location:

• Fon du Lac Park District’s VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road, East Peoria (Entrance address: 123 Par 3 Lane, East Peoria)

Winter Wonderland Times:

• 5 - 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5 - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

• 5 - 9 p.m. December 24th - January 5th

• Open Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s night.

Admission Fees:

• Cars, trucks and vans - $10

• Small bus (party, shuttle, mini or school) - $30

• Full-size buses - $150

Specials at Folepi’s Winter Wonderland:

• Sunday: Culver’s East Peoria

• Monday: Chick-fil-A

• Tuesday: Letters to Santa

• Wednesday: Elevate Trampoline

• Thursday: Dairy Queen East Peoria

Festival of Lights Shop and Stroll Saturday, December 7th

Noon - 3 p.m.

East Peoria ’ s Original Downtown

Gift shopping, free carriage rides with Folepi, Santa visits, and more will be part the 11th annual Folepi’s Gifts Galore Shop and Stroll, part of the 40th annual East Peoria Festival of Lights, from noon until 3 p.m. Dec. 7. The shop and stroll will occur in the Historic Four Corners District, bounded by East Washington and McKinley streets, and adjacent areas.

The nine participating locally-owned businesses and organizations sell a variety of items including lunch, handcrafted items, furniture, home décor, candy, jewelry, gift items, baked goods, and more in the area of East Peoria’s original downtown.

The event features free horse-drawn carriage rides (weather permitting), visits with the East Peoria Festival of Lights mascot Folepi and Santa, and free balloon art by The Unique Twist. People might even catch a glimpse of The Grinch. Many of the participating businesses will offer prize drawings. Those who spend $25 or more at a participating business will receive a free admission to the Folepi’s Winter Wonderland drive-through display. Receipts cannot be combined to equal $25. A purchase receipt from a shop and stroll participant must be presented in person during the event at Attitudes and Images Salon to receive the Winter Wonderland pass. The free admission is good through Jan. 5.

Parking will be available at the First United Methodist Church and in the City of East Peoria public parking lot, both on East Washington Street and adjacent to the Historic Four Corners District, and at the John Graham and Associates building, 300 E. Washington St at the intersection of East Washington and Springfield Road.

For more information and a shop and stroll map, visit www.folepi.org.

Find what you love here in Central Illinois

Learn how you can put your time, knowledge and talent to use by volunteering with AARP in Illinois.

Help make the communities where you live, work and play the best they can be while engaging with others who share your passion for service. The time commitment is flexible and the returns are great!

Get to know us at aarp.org/IL or contact Ellen Acevedo at eacevedo@aarp.org or (312) 513-7326.

/AARPIllinois @AARPIllinois

Brightening the Way for a Festive Holiday Season in East Peoria!

As the City of East Peoria lights up for the holidays, RoadSafe is here to keep your journey smooth and worry-free. From traffic control to equipment rentals, we provide the essential support to ensure everyone enjoys the holiday light display with ease. Count on us for reliable barriers, signage, and expert coordination, helping make this season a memorable and festive tradition.

Celebrate with confidence with help from RoadSafe!

Grab some colored pencils, crayons if you can find them, or maybe those half-used pens hiding in your top drawer — IT’S TIME TO COLOR!

ACROSS:

2. Santa’s guide

5. goes with root beer

6. sing once a year

7. top of the tree

8. naughty or nice

9. top of a present

10. something Thomas Edison invented

14. Jingle _____

16. round garland

17. peppermint stick

19. a type of tree

DOWN:

1. small baked treats

3. something people plan with family

4. something that goes on before a shoe

7. white and cold

11. something a horse pulls

12. rounded glass lights

13. cake with candied fruit

15. I love a ______

18. milk and spice beverage

Wreath
Candycane
Evergreen
Cookies
Holiday
Stocking
Snow
Sleigh
Bulbs
Fruitcake
Parade
Eggnog

Food Offerings

Listed below are food offerings from members of the

Avanti’s of East Peoria, Inc.

2320 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-6200 • avantispeoria.com

Barrack’s Hospitality Group

1224 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Peoria, IL 61615

Ph: 309-692-3990 • caterinn.com

Brewer’s Distributors

2421 W. Townline Rd., Peoria IL 61615 Ph: 309-692-2883

Burkland Distributing

2500 N. Main St. Suite 3, East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-694-1900

Carl’s Bakery & Restaurant

819 E. Camp Street, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-7275 • facebook.com

Chick-fil-A

250 W Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-1044 • chick-fil-a.com

Chili’s

800 Riverside Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-4460 • chilis.com

Costco Wholesale East Peoria #1126

301 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-427-2930 • costco.com

Crumbl Cookies

406 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 801-368-4361

Culver’s of East Peoria

901 W. Camp St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-9240 • culvers.com

Dairy Queen

E Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Opening Spring 2024

Echo Valley Meats, Inc.

608 W. Garfield Ave., Bartonville, IL 61607

Ph: 309-697-3872 • echovalleymeats.com

Eggcellent Cafe

322 W Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-643-1218 • eggcellentcafe309.com

Firehouse Pizza and Pub

240 S. Main St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-698-9111 • firehousepizzail.com

For

Five Star Water

East Peoria Chamber of Commerce

106 Harvey Ct., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-3169

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

134 Spinder Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-322-0625

Jason’s Deli

112 Spinder Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-698-5400 • jasondeli.com

Jimmy John’s

242 W. Camp St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-1500 • jimmyjohns.com

Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

101 Holiday St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-692-3887 johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com

Jonah’s Seafood House & Oyster Bar

2601 N. Main St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-0946 • jonahsseafood.com

Kona Ice of Peoria

110 Woodlands Point, East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-258-9135 • kona-ice.com

Kuchie’s on the Water

579 Wesley Rd., Creve Coeur, IL 61610 Ph: 309-427-3000 • kuchies.com

Kuna Food Services

701 Pinecrest Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 618-286-4000

McDonald’s Restaurant

2601 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-699-0721 • mcdonalds.com AND

161 Spinder Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-8000 • mcdonalds.com

Michael’s Subs, Salads & Hot Sandwiches

1302 Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-370-3734 • michaelsitalianfeast.com

Mickie’s Pizzeria

1051 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-966-0448 • mickiespizzeria.com

Moe’s Southwest Grill

130 Spinder Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-6637 • moes.com

Noodles & Company

358 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-8640

Panera Bread

496 E Washington St., East Peoria, IL Ph: 309-694-2222 • www.panerabread.com

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

318 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-2100 • potbelly.com

Reverence Coffee

409 Richland St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-300-0640 • reverencecoffeeil.com

ROC Ice Cream and Golf

220 Farmdale Rd., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-369-7618 • facebook.com

Texas Roadhouse

600 Riverside Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-698-6000 • texasroadhouse.com

The 5th Quarter Sports Bar & Pizzeria

1110 N. Main St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-713-3436 • 5qsportsbar.com

Tin Lizard Bar & Grill at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-699-7711 • paradicecasino.com

TCRC

21310 State Route 9, Tremont, IL 61568 Ph: 309-347-7148

The 520 Café

520 Bloomington Rd., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-839-1416

Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill at Bass Pro Shops

1000 Bass Pro Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-427-3300 • restaurants.basspro.com

William B’s at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-699-7711 • paradicecasino.com

Wonderdog

2430 E Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-839-1535

Area Attractions

Offer Visitors a Wide Range of Entertainment

The following venues are members of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce

17-Foot Lighted Star Off Springfield Rd.

Bass Pro Shops

1000 Bass Pro Shops Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611 309-427-3400 • basspro.com

Bradley University

1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625 309-676-7611 • bradley.edu

Caterpillar Visitors Center

110 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL 61602

Ph: 309-675-0606 • caterpillar.com

Eastlight Theatre

P. O. Box 8055, East Peoria, IL 61611

309-699-7469

East Peoria Historical Society

326 Pekin Ave., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-698-4711 • eastpeoriahistoricalsociety.com

EastPort Marina

701 Mariners Way, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-3034 • eastportmarinail.com

EastSide Centre

1 EastSide Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-698-5437 • eastsidecentre.com

Elevate Trampoline Park

105 North Main St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-966-4444 • elevateeastpeoria.com

Five Points Washington

360 N. Wilmor Rd., Washington, IL 61571

Ph: 309-444-8222 • fivepointswashington.org

Folepi’s Enchanted Forrest at Levee Park

401 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Fon du Lac Park District

201 Veterans Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-3923 • fondulacpark.com

Fondulac District Library

400 Richland St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-3917 • fondulaclibrary.org

Folepi’s Winter Wonderland

Intersection of Springfield Rd. and Par 3 Lane, 123 Par 3 Lane

Fun on the Run

721 NE Adams St., Peoria, IL 61603

Ph: 309-693-9475 • funontherun.com

Giant Holiday Wreath Fondulac Drive

Hooked on Fishing

1807 N. Main, East Peoria, IL 61611

309-216-4075 • hookedonfishingpark.org

Illinois Central College

1 College Dr., East Peoria, IL61635 309-694-5422 • icc.edu

Narrated Nativity

Intersection of Springfield Rd. and Taylor St. (Bottom of Springfield Rd. hill)

NHS Property Management

810 W. Trailcreek Dr., Peoria, IL 61614 309-689-1700

Par-A-Dice Casino

21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-7711 • paradicecasino.com

Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

456 Fulton St., Suite 300, Peoria, IL 61602-1220 309-676-0303

Peoria Chiefs

730 SW Jefferson St., Peoria, IL 61605

Ph: 309-680-4000 • peoriachiefs.com

Peoria Civic Center

201 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria, IL 61602

Ph: 309-673-8900 • peoriaciviccenter.com/home

Peoria Riverfront Museum

222 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL 61602 Ph: 309-686-7000 • peoriariverfrontmuseum.org

Pleasant Hill Antique Mall

315 S. Pleasant Hill Rd., East Peoria, IL 61611 309-694-4040

Quail Meadows Golf 2215 Centennial Dr., Washington, IL 61571 309-694-3139

RC Outfitters

311 S.W. Water St., Peoria, IL 61601 Ph: 309-676-6378 • rcoutfitter.com

ROC Ice Cream & Golf

220 Farmdale Rd., East Peoria, IL 61611 309-369-7618

ShaZam Racing

311 S.W. Water St., Peoria, IL 61601 Ph: 309-282-8686 • shazamracing.com

The Levee District

360 W. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611 Ph: 309-999-1700 • theleveedistrict.com

The Unique Twist

Ph: 309-370-6811 • theuniquetwist.com

The Putt Club

1001 Bass Pro Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611 309-916-7888 • theputtclub.com

Wheels O’ Time Museum

1710 W. Woodside Dr., Dunlap, IL 61525 Ph: 309-243-9020 • wheelsotime.org

Wildlife Prairie Park

3826 N. Taylor Rd., Hanna City, IL 61536 Ph: 309-495-6712 • wildlifeprairiepark.org

WTVP Public Media

101 State St., Peoria, IL 61602 Ph: 309-677-4747 • wtvp.org

Christmas and Happy New

Richard Dierker Ins Agcy Inc

429 S Main St

Creve Coeur, IL 61610

309-699-2246

Area Hotels

Offer Visitors a Wide Range of Amenities

The following hotels and motels are members of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce

America’s Best Value Inn

104 W. Camp St., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-7283 • redlion.com/americas-best-value-inn

Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria

Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center

100 Conference Center Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 800-EMBASSY or 694-0200 • embassysuiteseastpeoria.com

Fairfield by Marriott

200 Eastlight Court, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-4300 • fairfield.marriott.com

Four Points Sheraton

500 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria, IL 61602

Ph: 309-306-3424 • fourpoints.marriott.com

Hampton Inn

11 Winners Way, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-0711 or 800-426-7866 • hamptoninn3.hilton.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Peoria - Riverfront

1100 Bass Pro Dr., East Peoria, IL 61611

309-694-9800 • ihg.com/holidayinnexpress

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites

101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-698-3333 • ihg.com/holidayinn

Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino

21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-699-7711 or 800-547-0711 • paradicecasino.com

Residence Inn by Marriott

201 Eastlight Court, East Peoria, IL 61611 309-698-4011 • marriott.com

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center

101 Mariners Way, East Peoria, IL 61611

Ph: 309-694-1300 • stoneycreekhotels.com

events

in washington

Holiday Events

Nov 30 • Small Business

Saturday Shop Small Around Town, Chances to win throughout town.

dec 4 • holiday sip & shop

Eat, drink, and be merry while shopping with dozens of local vendors! Hosted by Washington Bicentennial and held at Countryside Banquet Facility.

Dec 5 • Candlelight Stroll

Shops Open Late, Carriage Rides around Historic Washington Square, Community Tree Lighting and Community Sing.

Dec 7 • santa breakfast

Hosted by Washington Park District and held at Five Points Washington.

Dec 10 • holiday home tour

Hosted by the Washington Historical Society, tour a variety of homes with their stunning Christmas décor.

Support Local Everything in Washington!

Discover unique gifts, local flavors, and memorable experiences in Washington! Whether you're shopping, dining, or simply soaking in the festive spirit, there's something for everyone. Support local and make your holidays merry and bright in Washington!

Washington Chamber Bucks

Looking for a gift that fits everyone? Washington Chamber Bucks are the answer! Accepted at over 50 businesses, they can be purchased at 105 S. Spruce St. Call ahead to have your order ready (309) 444-9921.

Directions from Festival of Lights

Turn Right off Springfield Road to Washington Street. Take Washington Street for approximately 5 Miles to Washington. Just a short 10-minute drive!

Run” in the holidays at the 34th annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic, set for Nov. 30 on the River Trail of Illinois. The 4-mile competitive run is at 9am and a 2-mile walk is at 8:30am. Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers in each age division of the run, and a post-pace party featuring pizza, and beer for those over age 21, will occur at Mickie’s Pizzeria. For details and entry information, visit folepi.org.

24th Annual Get Lit Celebration

New Year’s Eve Folepi’s Winter Wonderland

Run, walk or ride the lighted Trolley float through the lighted displays of Folepi’s Winter Wonderland during the 24th annual Get Lit New Year’s Eve Celebration. Events occur from 9:15pm until midnight Dec. 31. Families can celebrate New Year’s Eve among the lighted floats and enjoy treats by the fire pits. For complete details and how to register, visit folepi.org.

NARRATED NATIVITY SCENE RECREATES FIRST CHRISTMAS

Enjoy the artistry and beauty of the inspiring scenes of this nativity and tune in to radio station 87.9 FM for a 2-minute narration of the original Christmas story! The narrated Nativity Scene at the intersection of Taylor Street and Springfield Road is open 24 hours a day throughout the holidays. It features five realistic scenes. The original structures were created on plywood by local artists for the first Festival of Lights in 1985. Because of deterioration in storage, the scenes were restored as vinyl prints mounted to aluminum backing in 1999, giving the added advantage that the displays take on a three-dimensional appearance at night.

Unlike the rest of the Festival of Lights, the nativity project is funded exclusively by private donations through the Nativity Display Association. The maintenance annually is about $1,200. Those wishing to contribute to the upkeep of the scenes can mail a check payable to Knights of Columbus to: P.O. Box 2072, East Peoria, IL 61611.

MIDWEST ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES

Winners of the Festival of Lights Queen Pageant:

• Annabel Pulling 2024-2025

• Jessica Brown 2023-2024

• Magge Cowen 2022-2023

• Chloe Rogers 2019-2022

• Abby Eggemeyer 2018-2019

• Jerelyn Joos 2017-2018

• Nicole Moore 2016-2017

• Ashlyn Kahl 2015-2016

• AsiaKai Dang 2014-2015

• Lakin Smith 2013-2014

• Megan Stafford 2012-2013

• Demi Broderson 2011-2012

• Shannon Mulhern 2010-2011

• Jessica Stake 2009-2010

• Kiersten Sames 2008-2009

• Alyssa Lewellen 2007-2008

• Amanda Reinhart 2006-2007

• Jessica Howat 2005-2006

• Rachel Thomas 2004-2005

• Shannon Bradford 2003-2004

• Kristin Bell 2002-2003

• Melissa Mustain 2001-2002

• Ashley Phillips 2000-2001

• Brook Davis 1999-2000

• Miranda Thompson 1998-1999

• Kathryn Graham 1997-1998

• Megan Stiles 1996-1997

• Amanda Altamirano 1995-1996

• Erin Cannon 1994-1995

• Lorrie Eeten 1993-1994

• Stephanie Lambert 1992-1993

• Allyson Graham 1991-1992

• Amy Terry 1990-1991

• Libby Burger 1989-1990

• Tiffany Freeze 1988-1989

• Heather Zenk 1987-1988

• Leann Ingwerson 1986-1987

Folepi 2024

Count on Carle Health.

Holidays are a time of joy and togetherness. We’re reminded of what truly matters. And when it comes to the health of you and your loved ones, Carle Health is here for you. Treasure these moments, because you can count on us.

There’s a lot more in Greater Peoria than you might think.

(Including more lights.)

We put together a bunch of lists with great local spots to eat, drink, hangout, shop and more — all right here in Greater Peoria.

theresmorehere.org

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