Travel Writer Stories
August/September Travel Writer Stories
The Peoria Area has just the story you're looking for, and just the event your readers need to keep that laid-back summer spirit going strong into the fall. We have plenty of exceptionally fun, one-of-a-kind events for you to experience. From theatrical premiers of classic tales, to motorcycle stunts and pumpkins chucked almost 5,000 feet....so come to Peoria, Illinois and beat the heat of the dog days of summer!
Peoria Motorcycle Club and f
Grand National TT Weekend 
Be a part of Illinois' largest motorcycle festival as we celebrate the Grand National TT Motorcycle Races. All of Central Illinois welcomes the thousands that hop on their motorcycles and celebrate the Budweiser Grand Nationals Weekend in Peoria, IL at the Peoria TT, the oldest continuously running dirt track in the world. Enjoy two days of motorcycle activities beginning on Saturday August 21st-22nd with a motorcycle parade for charity that ends on the beautiful Peoria Riverfront where you'll find lots of activities from antique and custom bike shows, leather goods vendors, stunt shows, live music, great food and ice cold Budweiser!
Bring out your bikes and the whole family to shop the many vendors at the swap meet, marvel at the custom detailing at our bike shows, enjoy the PEO-TAZ A.B.A.T.E. Food Court featuring the world's greatest 1/2 pound butterfly pork chops, catch one of four unique "Central Illinois Extreme" motorcycle stunt shows and watch the world famous Daredevils ride the Wall of Death!
What would a great afternoon of motorcycles and Budweiser be without a little music? Grand Nationals has a whole lineup of incredible music and entertainment throughout the day - on two stages! Don't miss Eddie Money, music industry star who struck double platinum many times with hits such as "Baby Hold On," "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Take a Little Bit." There will also be a special reunion show guest appearance of Exit, along with countless other headlining bands and performers.
The Grand National TT Races Weekend proves, year after year, to be a unique and fun event for anyone and everyone. Don't miss this opportunity to see thousands of motorcycles, some amazing stunts and unbelievable entertainment right on the Peoria Riverfront!
Frankenstein, A New Musical
Frankenstein, a musical adaptation of the classic novel will be presented at Peoria Players Theatre as a regional premier this September 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at 7:30 pm with matinee shows on September 12 and 19 at 2:30 pm. Frankenstein is the timeless, cautionary tale of Victor Frankenstein, whose noble dreams of grandeur unleash
instead a litany of terror and tragedy. Before the curtain descends, everything in his privileged world will be torn asunder; as Victor and his creature are pitted against one another in an epic and deadly war of wills that will lead them across the continent and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
A story of life, love, Promethean dreams and Faustian horror, Frankenstein explores the full gamut of human experience like no other novel ever written. Forget all you have seen in the movies--this is not a Hollywood scarefest populated by lumbering ghouls and wild-eyed maniacs. This is Mary Shelley's original vision set to a stunning score. It is a brilliant, romantic terror--a dark vision of what lies at the depths of the human soul and what happens when its full power is unleashed.
When the show opened in New York in 2007 reviews said it was "...an elegant production... dark but consistently engaging. It concerns itself with the emotions of real human beings, rather than a standard blood-and-guts adventure."
Peoria Players is thrilled to welcome nationally known actor and director, Eddie Urish, as the director of this premier. His eye for detail and ability to streamline concepts have made his shows highly anticipated in the area. For Frankenstein, Eddie will be adding a multimedia video projection throughout the show, which promises to be very exciting. Eddie said he wanted to take on this particular project because it was so surprising. "Who would expect a musical about Frankenstein?" he said. "And yet, you find yourself emotionally involved with these characters, and the music is absolutely beautiful. And I think that people will really like the multimedia... it will be a very interesting take on live theatre- using prerecorded images throughout the entire experience. Definitely a new twist on what we've come to expect from live performance."
Peoria Players Theatre, the oldest continually running theatre in Illinois and the fourth oldest in the nation, is located at 4300 North University Street in Peoria, IL. For more information on Frankenstein or other events at Peoria Players, contact the theatre at 309-688-4473.
Morton Punkin Chuckin'
The Morton Punkin Chuckin' Contest will be held on October 16th and 17th this year. This event was started in Morton in 1996. Today, participants of all ages build machines that are used to hurl pumpkins as far as possible. Trophies are awarded for the longest chuck in each category. A traveling trophy is awarded, as well, to the overall contest winner. Over 400 pumpkins will be picked to accommodate the two days of chuckin'.
Morton's event has received national and international recognition in several publications such as The London Times, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated and The Wall Street Journal (front page) as well as being featured in a high school math book!
In addition, the Q36 established a Guinness Book World Record at the 2001 contest with a chuck of 4,491 feet. In 2002 they threw 4,859 feet. Q36 has even appeared as a guest on the David Letterman show. The Acme Catapult Company is another local team that has performed on the national stage. Dolly Parton launching a basket of honeydew melons highlighted their appearance on the Jay Leno Show. They have chucked appliances, bowling balls, and thousands of pumpkins in the last 12 years. Their hope, as well as the hope of the other Air Cannon contestants, is to throw the elusive mile.
A variety of machines participate in the Morton contest: catapults, trebuchets, and some whose category needs to be determined upon their arrival. A hand tossed event is offered for those of us who can't build a machine.
Folks of all ages will find something of interest, like the pumpkin funnel cakes or ice cream. Pumpkin, gourds and fall decorations add country fun and unique excitement to the day. Bring your lawn chairs & join us for this one of a kind fall event.
Also bring the family for the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival
in September.
There are so many ways to play in the Peoria Area! For more information on these events, or others in the Peoria Area, please contact Sarah Haynes at shaynes@peoria.org.
If you are going to be writing about the Peoria Area - let us know! Shoot us an email shaynes@peoria.org and let us know if we can be of any assistance in helping you with images or content!
Past issues of Travel Writer Stories
September/October 2009 - Highlighting Haunted Peoria, Peoria Chiefs, and GREAT outdoor adventures!
November/December 2009 - Highlighting Peoria Ballet, Cherry Mine Disaster Anniversary and the Annual Santa Claus Parade!
January/February 2010 - Highlighting Winter Sports, Historic Happenings and Unique Festivals and Events.
June/July 2010 - Highlighting Summer Festivals in the Peoria Area.
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