2011 will be a double-milestone year for Methodist Red White and
Boom, as the event celebrates a quarter-of-a-century of fireworks over the
Illinois River. For the first time ever, Methodist Red White and Boom will be
the largest fireworks display in the entire state of Illinois, and also for the
first time ever, it will be a six-figure show. Plans surrounding the annual,
grand celebration for our nation's birthday were announced today by JMP Radio
Group SVP/GM Mike Wild, along with Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and East Peoria Mayor
Dave Mingus, and also includes concerts highlighted by the Charlie Daniels Band,
an exciting aerobatic Sky Show, and the expansion of Methodist Stay and Play
Weekend.
What is now Methodist Red White and Boom began 25 years ago as
Skyconcert 1987 with music synchronized to KZ93, the station that is now 93.3
The Drive. The fireworks display took a huge leap forward in 2007 when Methodist
began as the title sponsor and all JMP Radio Group stations began promoting the
event and airing the synchronized music soundtrack. The event was expanded to
multiple days in 2008 when a series of concerts was added and Methodist Stay and
Play Weekend was created to help encourage more support of many events
surrounding the weekend. The events developers have long had the goal of
providing a $100k show, which will finally happen in 2011.
As in recent years, the cities of Peoria and East Peoria will
come together with JMP Radio Group, Methodist Medical Center, the Peoria Park
District and the Peoria Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau to launch the
spectacular display of pyrotechnics into the skies over the riverfronts.
Festivities include live bands and an air show over the water in addition to the
fireworks extravaganza, launched by Melrose Pyrotechnics of Kingsbury, Indiana
from barges in the middle of the Illinois River.
“Nearly 30-percent of the shells used in this year's program are
new, neverseen-before shells for Peoria,” said Bob Kerns, spokesman for Melrose.
Kerns encourages everyone to watch for the new red, white and blue crackling
flowers. “They open small and fall from the sky almost reaching the water, while
crackling flowers shoot out colored spark trails,” Kerns said.
The celebration begins Friday, July 1st, at The Landing on the
riverfront with a concert by Chicago's finest soul band, World Class Noise. This
band is a standard of the Chicago music scene playing a unique blend of classic
soul and contemporary favorites, covering music legends from Marvin Gaye to
Michael Jackson, and The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen. Tickets are $7 at the
door.
JMP Radio Group has partnered with Jay Goldberg Events and
Entertainment to bring one of the best southern rock bands of the 70's. The
Charlie Daniels Band with their classic #1 hit, “The Devil Went Down To
Georgia,” will rock the riverfront on Saturday,
July 2nd at the Landing.
Songwriter/performer Robin Crowe will be one of two opening acts, with the other
being Midnight Flyer, a Central Illinois’ top-40 Country band. Advance tickets
for $20 are on sale at the Peoria Riverfront Vistor's Center, all Co-Op Records
locations, by phone at 1-800-514-etix,
or you can order your tickets here.
Day-of-show tickets will be $25.
Then, on Sunday, July 3rd, voted Peoria's favorite band three
years in a row, Jammsammich plays the Landing with tunes from four decades
including Motown, disco, funk, hip-hop, retro 80's and rock. Tickets are $7 at
the gate.
Michael
Bryant, President and CEO of Methodist Medical Center, is proud to announce the
return of “Methodist Stay and Play.” The initiative will, once again, encourage
area businesses and restaurants to offer family-friendly activities and services
at a discounted rate. Bryant says, “Methodist Red White and Boom is more than a
fireworks show. It is one of the biggest entertainment events our community has
to offer, drawing visitors from throughout the region. At Methodist, we are very
proud of our role in helping make this one of the premier family festivals in
downstate Illinois.”
