Peoria native Victor Solomon will sing the National Anthem ahead of the “Red, White and Boom” annual fireworks show on the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts this July 4.
Solomon attended Peoria Public Schools and is a Peoria High School alumnus. He gained fame locally and nationally as a contestant on both “The Voice” and “American Idol.”
“I cannot wait to see you all,” Solomon said in a release. “Thank you all so much for your love and support. It has not gone unnoticed.”
Solomon placed in the top 20 in season 23 of “American Idol” in 2025. He competed in 2021 on Season 20 of “The Voice,” where he was a finalist on Team Legend.
The national anthem is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. Friday, just ahead of the 9:30pm fireworks which will launch from barges in the middle of the Illinois River.
The fireworks show also will feature a C-130 flyover from the 182nd airlift wing of the Illinois Air National Guard based in Peoria. Annabel Pulling, the East Peoria Festival of Lights Queen, is scheduled to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The annual pyrotechnics extravaganza is the largest fireworks display in Illinois and among the top 1% in the United States, organizers said. This year is the 39th anniversary of the event, with the 40th anniversary coming next year for the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘American Idol’ singer from Peoria to sing National Anthem at July 4 fireworks show
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
