Summer festivals, concerts and more: Here are 18 fun things to do in Peoria in June

As summer heats up in central Illinois, several longtime festivals are happening in the Peoria area, along with big concerts and other community events.

Here are 18 things to do in the Peoria area during June.

1. Itoo Society Shish-Ka-Bob

The Itoo Society invites all to join it for the 57th annual Shish-Ka-Bob from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the Itoo Hall, 4909 W. Farmington Road. The traditional menu of beef or chicken kebabs, cabbage rolls and salad will be served. Indoor and outdoor dining and carry-out and drive-thru meals will be available. For more information and preorders, visit www.itoosociety.org.

2. Bonnie Raitt in concert

Grammy Award-winner Bonnie Raitt will bring her "Just Like That...Tour 2024" to the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 28. The concert will also feature special guest, James Hunter. Tickets start at $48.50 and can be purchased online at peoriaciviccenter.com.

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3. Heritage Days in Princeville

The Princeville Civic Association will present the annual Heritage Days from June 27-29 at Stevens Square Park in Princeville. The event will include a carnival, family entertainment, food tent and more. For a full schedule of events, visit the Princeville Civic Association Facebook page.

4. Old Settlers Days in Metamora

One of the oldest festivals in central Illinois will be held June 19-22 in the historic village square in Metamora. The event will include a carnival, live entertainment, craft and food vendors, parade and more. For a full schedule of events, visit the Old Settlers Metamora Facebook page.

5. Peoria 2024 Juneteenth Festival

Peoria's 2024 Juneteenth Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at John H. Gwynn Jr. Park, 809 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. The event will feature a tribute to hip-hop show, horseback riding, an opportunity to meet your elected officials, car show, health and wellness fair, a basketball alumni game, free youth haircuts, community awards, a live DJ, dance performances, community resource and local business vendors and more. Admission is free.

6. Steamboat Classic

Central Illinois' premier running experience, the Steamboat Classic, will be held Saturday, June 15, on the streets of Downtown Peoria. Registration fees are $45 through June 12 and $50 through June 14 for the 4-mile race and $50 through June 12 and $55 through June 14 for the 15K race. For more information and to register, visit www.steamboatclassic.org.

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7. Family fun with Blippi

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour will be presented at 6 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Tickets start at $32 and can be purchased online at peoriaciviccenter.com.

8. Chillicothe Days festival

Chillicothe Days (formerly Claud-Elen Days) will be held June 12-15 at City Park on Second Street in Chillicothe. Activities throughout the weekend will include a carnival, fish fry, Mr. and Miss Chillicothe contests, pet parade, talent contest, live entertainment and more. For a full schedule of events, visit the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

9. Shop and stroll on Moss Avenue

Peoria's annual Moss Avenue Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8 in the 1100-1800 blocks of West Moss Avenue. The sale will include antiques, refinished and repurposed furniture, handcrafted items, vintage and garden dealers, along with food vendors and live music.

10. Spectacular Extreme Circus

Carden International's Spectacular Extreme Circus will present shows at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Exposition Gardens, 1601 W. Northmoor Road. The show will feature wild jumps and stunts from BMX and Motocross riders, the Motorcycle Globe of Steel and intense trapeze and high-wire acts. General admission tickets are $20 online or $25 at the box office, with a limited number of $35 reserved floor seats. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.spectacularcircus.com or at the box office one hour before each show.

11. Tremont Turkey Festival

The annual Tremont Turkey Festival will take place June 7-9 in downtown Tremont. Activities will include a carnival, country store, car show, parade, live entertainment and a variety of turkey dishes. For a full schedule of events, visit turkeyfestival.com.

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12. Limestone Township Pool Days

Pool Days, a fundraising festival for the Limestone Township Pool, will take place from June 8-10 at 1605 W. Garfield Ave., Bartonville. The festival will include a carnival, food, contests, live entertainments, car show, vendor fair and more. For more information, visit www.limestonetownship.org/pooldays.

13. Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza

The Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza will take place June 6-8 on the Peoria riverfront. The event will include an adventure zone with a mobile ninja course and bounce houses, a drone light show and concerts featuring grammy-nominated artists Joe Nichols and Everclear. For a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaparks.org/pap.

14. The Cher Show musical

The Tony Award-winning musical, The Cher Show, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, and Wednesday, June 5, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The show will highlight the story of Cher and feature 35 of her hit songs from her six decade career. Tickets start at $44 and can be purchased online at peoriaciviccenter.com.

15. An evening of adventure with Josh Gates

Explorer, talk show host, and author, Josh Gates, from Discovery Channel’s "Expedition Unknown" will present an evening of legends, mysteries and tales of adventure at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased online at peoriaciviccenter.com.

16. Celebrate summer German-style

Peoria Sport Verein’s annual Sommerfest will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. This event features German food, soccer, a German car and bike cruise-in, arts and crafts and entertainment. This is a family-friendly event. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.peoriagermans.net.

17. Folk Music Festival in Bishop Hill

The 2024 Bishop Hill Folk Music Festival will take place on Saturday, June 1, at the village park in Bishop Hill. Music starts at 10 a.m. and features performances by Hammer & Pick, Coffee Creek, Buck Halker, The Bucktown Americana Music Show, Barry Cloyd and more. Admission is free. Bring your own lawn chairs. For more information, visit www.bishophillheritage.org.

18. Elmwood Strawberry Festival

The annual Strawberry Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, in downtown Elmwood. Central Park at the corner of Main and Magnolia will be filled with crafters and vendors, as well as food, including lots of strawberry desserts, and local entertainers. This year's theme will be "Jurassic Park" For a full schedule of events, visit https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodstrawberryfest. Admission is free.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Here are 18 fun things to do in Peoria in June 2024