PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria Park District is hosting a new event that aims to bring a bigger city experience to local residents and tourists.
Park-a-Palooza will take place on the Peoria Riverfront from June 8-10. The event will feature a concert from Grammy Award winner Ashley McBryde and the world’s largest bounce house.
Funding for the event is being helped with a $500,000 state grant secured by State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria).
“So many of the other parents that are living and working right here in central Illinois are going to have the ability to be able to take part in a phenomenal attraction and an experience, that often times you have to travel three to four hours to be able to experience that,” Gordon-Booth said.
Gordon-Booth says the grant helps with a goal to support the park district in adding more quality of life events and activities to the area.
PPD Executive Director Emily Cahill says the event will add more tourism dollars to the local economy.
“Every year, Peoria’s local cultural festivals alone generate $1.5 million in local economic impact, and nearly $90,000 in local sales tax,” Cahill said. “These dollars also contribute to vibrancy, and are not often considered when fun events are promoted.”
Cahill says the aim is to have Park-a-Palooza as an annual event, with different activities each year.
