September is full of activities. Here are five events you might want to check out in the Peoria area this weekend.
Morton Pumpkin Festival
The 2025 Morton Pumpkin Festival will be held Sept. 10-13 at various locations throughout Morton. This year’s theme is “Pumpkin Party of the Century” and the event will include a large assortment of pumpkin-flavored foods, carnival rides, live entertainment and more. For a full schedule of events and more information, visit www.mortonpumpkinfestival.com.
Horror convention at Expo Gardens
Horror Fiesta, an all ages, family-friendly convention celebrating all things horror, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Exposition Gardens, 1601 Northmoor Road. Special guests include actors Ari Lehman (“Friday the 13th,” “Clown Motel”) and Brett Wagner (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “The Barn”). Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door and children ages 6 and under are free. For more information, visit www.horrorfiesta.com.
Hanna City Park Jam
The Hanna City Park District and Friends of Hanna City will present Hanna City Park Jam from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at 600 N. Main St., Hanna City. This family friendly evening with include live music from Kadee Allen and Linzie Borden, food trucks, inflatables, a silent auction and more. All proceeds support the facilities of the Hanna City Park District. For more information, visit the Hanna City Park District Facebook page.
Celebrate the Armed Forces
The ninth annual Armed Forces Day Celebration will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Heritage Square, 4450 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights. The event will include a 50/50 drawings, raffles, a silent auction, a beer stein holding competition, food and drinks and live music featuring Fox Hill Troubadours and Harvest Sons. Proceeds benefit Freedom Paws Service Dogs.
Peoria Family YMCA Summer Soiree
The Greater Peoria Family YMCA will be finishing off the summer season with its 10th annual Summer Soiree from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7000 N. Fleming Lane. The event will include a live and silent auction, a “Bridge the Gap” paddle raise, wine pull, booze wagon, Bremer Jewelry raffle, heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Cracked Pepper Catering and live music. Tickets are $100 each and proceeds will benefit the Peoria YMCA’s annual scholarship campaign. For tickets and more information, visit www.peoriaymca.org.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pumpkin festival, horror con and more: Here are 5 things to do near Peoria this weekend
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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