Latest news with #PeoriaHeights
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria Heights celebrates first-ever Sunday Funday with Pickleball and live Music
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD) — A new kind of Sunday tradition kicked off this weekend in Peoria Heights as BS Marketing hosted the first-ever 'Sunday Funday.' Many people gathered at Pearl Companies' parking lot at 1200 E Glen Ave in an energetic mix of pickleball, music, and community vibes. The event drew a lively crowd from across the region, offering a laid-back atmosphere focused on outdoor fun and social connection — with zero pickleball experience required. Running from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event featured a casual tournament, live entertainment, yard games and a variety of local food and drink vendors. 'This event is really about getting people outside, moving, and having fun — whether you've ever picked up a paddle or not,' said Beth Stewart, owner of BS Marketing. 'Have fun. Get active, get outside. Just move. Move and have fun.' Pickleball was the star attraction, with a tournament designed to welcome everyone from complete beginners to competitive players. 'It's so adaptable to anybody,' Stewart added. 'We have kids out here playing. We have people that — there's a first-timers bracket, so we have a coach that can talk about crash course rules, all the way to competitive. And it's just something that anybody can do and have fun.' Sunday Funday highlights included: A no-experience-necessary Pickleball Tournament, with paddles, balls, and beginner coaching provided Live music and classic yard games Food trucks and local drink vendors, including Feels Like Ohm and Oliver's A friendly, social atmosphere — welcoming singles and groups alike Entry was priced at $50 for pickleball participants and $10 for a social pass. With strong attendance and positive feedback, BS Marketing is already hearing calls for a repeat event. If the turnout and community enthusiasm are any indication, Sunday Funday could quickly become a staple in Peoria Heights' outdoor event lineup. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pale ale and spicy pickle beer: Beer bash returning to Peoria Heights for second year
In Peoria Heights, Bust'd Brewing is preparing to host its second annual Beer Bash. Bre Henderson, taproom manager and event coordinator, said last year's inaugural event featured 13 brewers and drew around 150 event-goers. This year, she expects to see around 250 people turn out to try beers from at least 18 different breweries. 'It is so refreshing to us,' Henderson said of the growth. 'We've seen such a huge support from the community and such excitement to bring this event back again.' Here's what to know about the second Bust'd Beer Bash. The event will take place in the parking lot of Bust'd Brewing – located at 4408 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights. Breweries will set up under various tents, and Henderson said a limited number of picnic and cocktail tables will be available for guests to use. Visitors should park in public lots around Peoria Heights. More: What does it take to obtain a liquor license in Peoria? Here's the process The second Bust'd Beer Bash will be held on May 25 from noon until 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person or online at The community can buy general admission tickets for $45 through May 17 as part of an early bird special. From May 18 to the day of the event, general admission will cost $55. Designated driver tickets will be available at the door for $10. Henderson said she expects many are waiting to purchase tickets until the forecast comes out, but she added that the event will take place rain or shine. 'The beer still tastes the same,' she said. General admission tickets include a souvenir tasting glass from the Fox Pub and access to samples from all breweries at the Beer Bash. 'They'll be able to kind of walk around, talk to the brewers or the brewery rep - whoever's there - and get more information about the beer, talk to them about the process, talk to them about their business, their brewery, all of that stuff,' Henderson said. 'And then also get to try whatever beers they like.' Not a fan of the beer in your glass? Not a problem, Henderson said. 'You can dump it out and you can move on to another one,' she said. Henderson said The Wolves Den Pizzeria will also be serving pizza on site for an additional cost. Hungry for more Peoria food news? Sign up for PJStar Dining Bust'd Brewing's Beer Bash will feature at least 18 different breweries, according to Henderson. 'Most of the breweries are bringing two to three different styles of beer,' she said. 'Anywhere from a nice pilsner to we even have some fruited sours, some hazy IPAs, regular IPAs – as wild as like a spicy pickle beer.' Local breweries like Nightjar, Industry Brewing and Tangled Roots will make an appearance at the Beer Bash, Henderson said. Some of the other breweries listed on the event's website include: Analytical Brewing Keg Grove Brewing Company Phase Three Brewing Company Reserve Artisan Ales Triptych Brewing Unpossible Mead White Oak Brewing Go Brewing 'We've started announcing the breweries on our social media and people are super pumped to see breweries coming from a little farther outside of Central Illinois too this year,' Henderson said. Bust'd Brewing plans to release its Summer Bash beer, Henderson said, the week of the event. She said the drink – which features orange puree and hops – earned second place on Untappd last year in the American pale ale category for Illinois. 'It was definitely a crowd favorite last year and (we) are excited to bring it back,' she said. 'People have been asking for it.' More: Long-awaited restaurant is now open on Washington Square. Menu, prices, hours and more This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Beer bash returning to Peoria Heights for second year
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fine Art Fair returns to Peoria Heights
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD) — Hundreds of people went to Peoria Heights for the 6th annual Fine Art Fair over the weekend. More than 40 local vendors lined North Prospect Road and Tower Park, selling their unique artwork and designs on Saturday and Sunday. From oil paintings and prints to jewelry and woodworking, buyers could purchase one-of-a-kind creations at the free event. Shawn Edwards with the Peoria Heights Art Collective said it was the perfect way to spend Mother's Day. 'We've had great weather. The crowds have been really good. They've ticked up a little bit today. So it's really nice to see people out with their mothers searching for things to buy them. But yeah, we're really happy with the turnout today,' said Edwards. He said he spoke with multiple vendors who told him they sold plenty of artwork and said everyone has really enjoyed the fair. 'Everyone seems really happy with the fair. I mean, the vendors have been very pleased with the turnout, and a lot of people are buying their material. And, you know, that keeps the vendors happy. You know, the artists are happy when they're getting their material sold. So everyone has been, very receptive. We haven't had any unhappy faces the entire day,' said Edwards. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Peoria Heights businesses gear up for a busy summer
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD) — It's starting to feel a lot like summer in central Illinois, and that means plenty of people will be out and about in Peoria Heights. Lauren Blasek owns W.E. Sullivan's, an Irish eatery on Prospect Road, where a lot of shops and restaurants can be found. 'When the weather's nice, we do see an influx of customers. People want to sit outside, and the walkability of the Heights is a huge factor for traffic for us,' she said. In addition to local establishments, there will be plenty of events in the village throughout the summer months, from a fine art fair to live concerts. She thinks the winter months make summer even more great. 'The summertime just brings people together and that's what we love, the community that we're in,' she said. There's also a new restaurant in the Heights. Casa Agave opened May 1, and is owned by Jose Leon, who also owns Jalapenos in the Metro Centre. Leon described the restaurant as 'modern Mexican cuisine' with a large selection of tequila. There's even a glass wall with all sorts of tequila in the restaurant. He said they hand-squeeze the juices they use for fresh margaritas, palomas, and spicy mezcalitas. He thanked the Peoria-area community for the support the restaurant has received. 'Our patio's been busy right when we open at 11. It's been busy until we close every night since we've been open. The weather helps us, especially a new restaurant here in the Heights.' Newly elected Mayor Matt Wigginton recently took over for Mike Phelan, who retired from public service. Wigginton is excited to continue Phelan's work, and he's also ready for a busy summer. 'We've been waiting for your meteorology team, Chris, Molly and Nathan, to get some warm weather here. I'm happy to report it's starting to heat up in the Heights, and we've got a lot planned for the residents and our neighboring community,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
