PEORIA, Ariz. (March 26, 2009) – Come celebrate
Peoria’s heritage at the annual Pioneer Day festival and parade, an event with
something for everyone.
Centered around the city’s historic Oldtown, which was first developed by
settlers from Peoria Illinois in the late 1880’s, the Pioneer Day festival and
parade gets underway early on Saturday, April 4.
Pioneer Day Festival and Parade Events:
6:30 – 9 a.m. Sunset Lions Pancake Breakfast
Peoria High School Auditorium (11200 N. 83rd Avenue)
A donation of $5 gets you a delicious pancake breakfast – and the money goes to
the Sunset Lions charity efforts to purchase eyeglasses for needy
schoolchildren.
7 – 10 a.m. Peoria Firefighters Charities Pancake
Breakfast
Peoria Community Center (8335 W. Jefferson Street)
What’s better than pancakes? More pancakes! Peoria firefighters will serve up
hot stacks of syrup-covered goodness for only $5. Every donation will go to
support Peoria Firefighters Charities, which helps community members in need.
8 a.m. Pioneer Day 5k Run/Walk/Wheelchair Races
and Free KidsDash
Biker’s Edge (southeast corner of 83rd Avenue & Washington Street)
Work off those pancakes by participating in the 5k race – whether you run, walk,
or roll. The course runs on city streets through Oldtown Peoria and is
wheelchair accessible. All racers receive a continental breakfast courtesy of
Sweet Tomatoes, and are eligible for prizes that include shoes and Sweet
Tomatoes gift certificates. More info and registration at
www.runningmasters.net; (480) 220-2019.
9 a.m. Family Bike Ride (sign-in starting at 8:30
a.m.)
Biker’s Edge (southeast corner of 83rd Avenue & Washington Street)
If running or walking isn’t your thing, celebrate Valley Bike Month with a
six-mile family ride through Oldtown Peoria. Helmets are required for all
riders. Call Brandon Forrey at 623-773-7201 to pre-register or for more
information.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Youth Art Show
Peoria Woman’s Club (10381 N. 84th Avenue)
See the history of Peoria reflected in art created by Peoria Unified School
District students.
9:30 a.m. Art Dedication – “Homage to Peoria’s
Past”
Southeast corner of 83rd Avenue and Washington Street in Oldtown Peoria
Artist Emanuel Martinez, working with students from Peoria High School, recently
finished a mural, “Homage to Peoria’s Past,” that depicts Peoria’s founding and
history. That public art will be formally dedicated at a ceremony at 9:30 a.m.
10 a.m. Pioneer Day Parade
Along Washington Street between 83rd and 85th avenues
The big event! Service clubs, civic groups and other community organizations
will march and ride floats in a parade that features the Peoria and Raymond S.
Kellis High School Marching Bands.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vintage Baseball Demonstration
Peoria Community Center (8335 W. Jefferson Street)
Learn the rules, regulations, history and tradition of old-style baseball in an
interactive demonstration by a vintage baseball league team.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pioneer Day Festival
Johnny E. Osuna Memorial Park (8306 W. Washington Street)
Celebrate Peoria with entertainment, arts & crafts, activities for kids and
families, food and beverage concessions, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.
For more information on the Peoria Pioneer Day
Festival and Parade, visit
www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents or call the Special Events Hotline at
623-773-7198.
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