PEORIA, Ill. – The largest fireworks show in the state of Illinois, and one of the largest in the country is set to kick off on the evening of the 4th of July.
Choose Greater Peoria Red, White, and BOOM presented by i3 Broadband will take place on the Peoria and East Peoria Riverfronts. The 30-minute fireworks show is launched from a barge on the Illinois River, and is synchronized with music provided by Midwest Communications stations.
People can listen to the show’s music on 93.3 the Drive, KZ 102.3, 104.9 the Wolf, Superhit 102.7, and Mix 106.9. Play-by-play of the fireworks will be provided on 1470 and 100.3 WMBD, and Freedom 95.9.
The fireworks show is scheduled for 9:30 P.M. Prior to the show, the National Anthem will be performed at 9:20 by Victor Solomon. Solomon is a Peoria Central High graduate who has gained national recognition for appearances on NBC’s “The Voice” and ABC’s “American Idol. The Pledge of Allegiance will also be recited at that time, led by East Peoria Festival of Lights Queen, Annabel Pulling.
At 9:00 P.M., a flyover of a C-130H Hercules from the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois National Guard will take place. Their appearance is something that Midwest Communications Vice President Mike Wild tells WMBD’s “The Phil Luciano Show” makes the flyover extra special.
“There’s always a wave of patriotism with military and generals, especially on the 4th of July,” Wild said. “In this case, it’s our hometown guys, it is on the 4th of July, and you just get chills in your spine.”
Extra precautions are being taken to ensure safety at this year’s Choose Greater Peoria Red, White, and BOOM. Wild says that includes placing jersey barriers on the riverfronts. East Peoria Police are also placing barriers surrounding Riverfront Park for the entire day. The goal is to ensure that a vehicle attack incident, similar to what happened on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, does not occur.
Wild says police departments on both sides of the river have things locked down.
“At the end of the day, it’s incredible what they do and the show of force with police, they’re just everywhere. And they all are committed to this and do such a great job,” Wild said.
Before the evening’s festivities, music and vendors will be open at 5:00 P.M. on both sides of the river. The Illinois River will be shut down to recreational traffic between the Murray Baker and Bob Michel Bridges at 7:00 P.M., with vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the Bob Michel Bridge shut down at 8:30 P.M.
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