Hello Peoria! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Hidden ornament hunt finale, dragon's fire balloon fest, and kids turning grief into purpose + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Turning grief into purpose: After their father’s diagnosis, Peoria brothers Jaxson and Karter turned grief into action, raising funds at Michael Run for Life Festival with a kids race, dog walk, and silent auction -- see their fundraiser impact.
Holiday hunt reaches finale: The final clue was released for Folepi’s America 250 Ornament Hunt in East Peoria, and search continues as a hidden ornament on public property comes with a $250 gift card -- see the latest clue.
Stay informed locally: East Peoria activated its Hyper-Reach alert system to notify residents about severe weather, boil water advisories, and unexpected road closures. Residents need to register to receive updates from the service -- get the alert signup steps.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Let them climb it out: When the wiggles hit hard, Kid and Play Indoor Playground is the local fix. Three soft-play zones for ages 0 to 13, a motion-activated floor game, a comfy cafe, and Roary the Lion keeping spirits high... it’s an easy win for a Peoria afternoon.
Try a new reality: Press Play Gaming brings room-scale VR adventures, laser tag showdowns, and bite-sized escape room booths to your weekend routine. Round up the crew, pick your world, and laugh at your aunt doing accidental ninja moves while you rack up bragging rights.
Greener yard, less guesswork: Skip the plant roulette and let Sheridan Nursery set you up with sturdy annuals, perennials, herbs, and the soil stuff to keep them happy. Friendly folks who know central Illinois weather will steer you to what actually thrives, so your porch pots and beds stop being a seasonal mystery.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
✏ Potted Plant Pencil Holder @ Peoria Public Library - McClure | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:30 PM – Nothing beats watching your 6 to 12-year-old turn a plain pot into a pencil holder, then call it storage. It ties into Summer Reading, Plant a Seed, Read, it's free, and supplies are provided, so you just supervise, sip coffee, and smile.
🌱 Dan Gogh's Grow Show @ Peoria Public Main Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Load up the herd and head to the Main Library for Dan Gogh’s barnyard magic, wacky puppets, and jokes that land. It is free, family friendly, and secretly about growing readers, so the kids learn while you enjoy air conditioning, nostalgia, and no lines.
🎈 Dragon's Fire Balloon Fest @ Avanti's Event Center (Pekin) | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Think you’re too jaded for hot air balloons? Dragon’s Fire Balloon Fest at Avanti’s Event Center sends nearly a dozen beauties up, then back down to earth, all charm, no hassles. It’s colorful, unhurried, and frankly more uplifting than your third cup of coffee.
🧺 HVCF Annual Church Picnic @ Laura Bradley Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Nothing says summer in Peoria like HVCF’s annual church picnic at Laura Bradley Park’s lower area, a wholesome shuffle of games, food, music, and fellowship. Expect lawn-chair villages, kids queuing for seconds, potato salad, plus just enough shade to pretend we planned ahead.
👨 Saturday Open Studio + Family Time @ Crafted DIY Studio & Bar | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Whether you bring glitter-happy kids or your inner artsy self, swing by Saturday to try 25-plus projects, from macrame and painting to leather and concrete. Family crafts midday, open studio later, with craft cocktails, mocktails, and nobody judging your brushstrokes. Reservations are nice, not necessary.
🎵 Songs from the Heartland @ Lakeview Park | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a classic Midwest evening, the Peoria Pops are taking over the Lakeview Park lawn with a free concert that feels like picnic blankets, familiar tunes, and cousins you actually like. Expect nostalgic favorites, easy breezes, and senior seating, because class.
🛍 Peoria Flea Market @ Northwoods Mall | Sunday (6/28) at 8:00 AM – Take a break from errands and wander the Peoria Flea Market at Northwoods Mall, upper level by the down escalator. Two bucks at the door gets you antiques, handmade finds, and the kind of oddities you swear you don’t need, then carry home anyway.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Peoria report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 40%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 2 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West southwest wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 81°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 22%
A slight chance of rain showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West northwest wind 0 to 3 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. This house is wild5608 Timber Oak blends privacy and polish in a well-established Dunlap neighborhood. A dramatic two-story entry sets the tone, while the open kitchen, informal dining, built-ins, and gas fireplace bring warmth and function. Upstairs, the vaulted primary suite steals the show with three closets and a spacious bath. Downstairs, a wet bar, full bath, and extra storage keep things effortlessly organized.
Take a peek inside → |
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