Travel Writer Stories

It may be the end of summer, but it's not the end of vacation season! Make sure your readers know about the great getaways in the Peoria Area. From folk music in the great outdoors to fall foliage cruises along the Illinois River, the Peoria Area has it all! Also featured, is the Peoria Area's most popular tourist event, the East Peoria Festival of Lights, bigger and better than ever in its 26^th year.

Fall Fun in the Peoria Area 

No matter what your readers are interested in, the Peoria Area has just the fall getaway they'll love.

Spirit of Peoria, a turn-of-the-century paddle wheeler, offers beautiful Fall Foliage Cruises along the Illinois River. Your readers will love this opportunity to join the Captain and crew to see the Midwest at its best: in the fall. They can relax, dine and cruise while listening to local musicians. Food and beverage are themed towards the music of each cruise. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are complimentary. The Fall Foliage Cruises will run October 16^th and 23^rd from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Meet this historic and charming boat on the Peoria Riverfront. Advanced reservation and payment is necessary. For more information, contact the Spirit of Peoria at (309) 637-8000 or visit their website.

The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Associates invite your readers to come to Fulton County, Illinois and enjoy the natural wonders of the Spoon River Valley during their annual Fall Festival. The Spoon River became nationally known from the work of Edgar Lee Masters, author of the noted Spoon River Anthology.

On October 2^nd, 3^rd, 9^th and 10^th your readers are invited to take their own tour of this beautiful area and stop by countless vendors for unique treasures along the way. Hundreds of visitors come every year for handmade crafts, quilts, antiques, blacksmith, flea markets, art, historic sites, live entertainment, demonstrations, civil war units, home baked goods, and train memorabilia. For more information, contact the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Associates at (309) 647-8980 or visit their website.

Peoria's Rib Fest and Chili Cook-Off will be held this October 1^st and 2^nd on the Peoria Riverfront. Whether your readers are serious cooks or serious eaters, they are sure to have a great time. The Chili Cook-off is a CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sanctioned event with the winner earning points for the National cook-off in Terlingua, Texas. Both chili and rib contestants can participate in a "People's Choice" judging, judged by those attending the event. The event also features live music and entertainment. Past performers include Mister Sister and Coco Loco. Click here to visit the event website.

"Songs from the Woods" Concert Series

The woods will ring with music at the Forest Park Nature Center's Monthly Concert Series featuring some of the best singer-songwriters and folk musicians to be found! The Forest Park Nature Center, nestled in the beautiful forested bluffs of the Illinois River, is a picturesque and tranquil setting for these internationally renowned artists.

Coming up on October 3^rd is folk-singing legend and songwriter Bill Staines. For over 35 years, Bill Staines has traveled across North America delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses. Bill, a New England native, became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960s and emceed the Sunday hootenanny at the renowned Club 47 in Cambridge. Bill quickly became a popular performer in the Boston area. The annual reader's poll of The Boston Globe selected him as a favorite performer in 1980 and again in 1981

On November 13^th the featured entertainment will be the Irish folk band Exorna. For nearly a decade, Exorna has been entertaining audiences with music transported directly from the pubs of frontman Victor McMullan's native Northern Ireland. Exorna's music is delivered in an unpolished & authentic way that's both lighthearted and heartfelt.

Share a special holiday evening with David McDonald from the Academy of Fretted Instruments on Saturday, December 11th at the Nature Center! Enjoy David McDonald plus guest performances from instructors and students, doing select
holiday and seasonal music on classic guitar, mandolin and other fretted instruments.

Barry Cloyd with Celtricity will be performing at the Nature Center on Saturday, January 8^th. Barry is a Midwestern-based singer/songwriter who has spent over four decades perfecting a guitar and vocal style. The concert will also feature Tom "TJ" Jones, Bruce Bergethon and Tony Crowe.

Advanced ticket sales are available at Forest Park Nature Center, or you can pay at the door. Concert fees are $7/adult, $6/child (12 and under). All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

East Peoria Festival of Lights

Light up your night at the East Peoria Festival of Lights (FOLEPI).
The 26th annual Festival of Lights is a one-of-a-kind holiday
spectacular.

The Parade of Lights kicks off the Festival of Lights at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 27th, 2010. This one-night event features a parade of 30-lighted floats that will cruise down the streets of East Peoria, Illinois, along a three-mile route. With more than two million lights in the Festival, the beauty will be sure to mesmerize you and your family. There is nothing quite like this parade in the country.

Following the kick-off parade, the festival continues with the journey through FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland, where all the parade floats will be on display. Cars and motor coaches can drive through this special attraction, open December 4th-December 31st. The Winter Wonderland features two miles of captivating beauty.

The East Peoria Festival of Lights is more than just lighted parade floats, it's an all-encompassing holiday experience. Folepi's Freedom Park features lighted emblems from each branch of the military and a memorial for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. It also has lighted displays such as the toy tank and American flag parade floats, and memorials for East Peorians lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The 20th FOLEPI River Trail Classic is an Illinois Valley Striders sanctioned grand prix event attracting hundreds of runners each year. There is even a free narrated nativity scene.

Your readers can easily make their holiday getaway a full weekend with great hotel packages on our website. The Peoria Area has plenty of other great traditions to keep them busy all weekend long. Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash Broadway musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be presented by Eastlight Theatre. Visitors can get a tour of the beautiful 130-year-old Doering Homeplace featuring 1800s-style holiday decorations and handmade ornaments. The Spirit of Peoria, a turn-of the century paddle-wheeler, offers holiday cruises. The Peoria Ballet will perform the Nutcracker Suite at the Peoria Civic Center on December 11^th and 12^th. There are also poinsettia shows, Yule walks, performances of The Gift of the Magi and White Christmas, and Victorian Christmas Celebrations.

Come to the Peoria Area and let us bring out your holiday spirit! For more area events and holiday attractions check out our Calendar of Events.

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.

August/September 2010 - Highlighting Summer events in the Peoria Area.