PEORIA, Ill. – If you don’t mind a little inconvenience in terms of traffic and parking, you’re likely going to see something really big along the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts Tuesday night.
“Carle Health Red, White, and Boom Brought Home by Adam Merrick Real Estate” is, officially, and not just because we’re telling you, the largest fireworks show in the State of Illinois. That’s according to both the Peoria Park District and our parent company, Midwest Communications.
An estimated 200,000 people will flock to the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts, and organizers say roughly one third of the fireworks used at the 9:30 p.m. show will be all new product from the launch company, based on a dual barge on the Illinois River.
Events begin earlier in the day with live entertainment, vendors providing refreshment, and Midwest Communications radio stations broadcasting live – including WMBD’s “Craig Collins Show,” starting at 5 p.m.
C-130 Hercules aircraft from Illinois’ 182nd Airlift Wing and Connecticut’s 103rd Airlift Wing sit on the 182 AW apron in Peoria, Ill., Jan. 29, 2015. The Hercules is capable of taking off and landing on rough terrain and is a key airframe for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lealan Buehrer/Released)
This will be the second year “Carle Health Red, White, and Boom Brought Home by Adam Merrick Real Estate” will feature a military flyover orchestrated by Peoria’s Air National Guard 182nd Airlift Wing.
The flyover is expected about a half hour before the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show along the Peoria and East Peoria Riverfronts, and you’ll be looking to the sky to see a C-130 Hercules Aircraft that will pass over the Illinois River traveling northeast up river, then southeast down river a few minutes later.
The flight crew will consist of:
- Aircraft Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Grant Lewis
- Pilot: Major Nick Jeffers
- Navigator: First Lieutenant Lisa Luedtke (pronounced Lid-Key)
- Flight Engineer: Master Sergeant Ashley Hutton
- Loadmaster: Airman First Class Andrew Marion
Peoria Police through manufacturer Pringle Robotics will be deploying two robots, called “OttoBoTs”, to the Peoria and East Peoria Riverfronts
(Midwest Communications)
Tuesday.
Pringle Robotics is a local company, based in Edwards, that started in 2019. Some are in use at Bradley University, as well as throughout the country.
Officials with the company say the robots will have screens on them with city messages and advertisements, and will be used to assist with patrols, provide deterrence, and also deliver water to visitors, donated by the local Red Cross.
CLICK HERE for more information about traffic patterns and what to expect, in addition to more information. Street closures begin at noon Tuesday.
