Peoria
Throughout this pandemic, I have a lot of things I didn’t know about Peoria. One of them is that Peoria holds the top position in the world’s most beautiful drive. During my research from books and gossip from the people who live here, the 26th president of the United States visited here in 1910 and commented on the large grand view that runs between Peoria heights and Peoria. I was shocked to find out that the city has more than 9000 acres of parks including the big five public golf courses, the Luthy botanical garden and the Peoria Zoo.
Additionally, I am a sucker for events, and I was sad that I never knew and never attended a single steamboat classic event that is held annually in June. The event consists of three races which include; 15 kilometres race nicknamed “Illinois Toughest 15K.” race.4 kilometres commonly known as Peoria’s easiest 4k race and the major steamboat classic 4 miles. I took a walk around the area and found out that it has an old river where people look book into history with historic homes and museums. I found out about John C Flanagan House museum which was built in 1837′ Pettengill-Morron museum was built in 1868 and also the Wheels O’ museum consisting of items used at home, farm, industry and past entertainment.
Moreover, I found that the real age of Peoria after looking at its census data. Its median age is 34 years, and 83% of its population are above 17 years. Peoria is a whiskey capital that has specialized in distilling. I did some research about where the name “whisky capital” originate from. I found out that between 1837 and 1919 Peoria was home to over 73 distilleries and 24 breweries. The whisky industry heightened Peoria tax district supplying more than half the government’s tax revenue. Although distilleries were later closed due to prohibition, Peoria used to make like a third of the whiskey provided in the whole country. Even though currently whiskey is making its way back with J.K Williams opening, it can never match the old distilleries.
Sometimes back, I read a book and watched a movie called “The Bridges of Madison County” The two bridges in the book are based in Lowa. Still, it was until the other day when I realized that Peoria area is the only county and home to two-lane covered bridge situated in Illinois. I also found out that it is captain swift who covered the bridge which initially had a burr arch design and is located one mile away from Princeton. I have always thought of Peoria as a common area only to find out that it was ranked 51 out of the possible 331 in best places to live rankings. Forbes magazine ranked it position 47 out of the significant 150 metropolitan areas. In the mid-sized cities, it was ranked number 5.
Further, I found that the city is home for the USDA’s National centre for Agricultural Utilization Research. This is a huge lab where mass production of penicillin is done. The fact is, no one wants to fall sick or instead get an in infection but if they do here, then there is nothing to worry about. Peoria is magical; it is where science and art meet. The area is a home for three museums that act as cultural hubs. Peoria Riverfront Museum, for instance, connects science, history and art through collections, exhibitions and programs. Contemporary art centre several activities take place. They include; salsa, swing dancing, artist studios, art exhibits, open mic for poetry, dance, tai chi and yoga. Lastly is the Peoria Art Guild and Galleries which takes the list in contemporary art. It is the home to the Annual excellent Art Fair which is among the 100 art fairs in the country
Lastly, summer is here, and I walked around to find some of the places one can visit when the air starts to cool. I found about Morton pumpkin festival. Morton is Libby’s pumpkin home and constitutes to the world’s 80% processed pumpkins. So this is how it is done when all the pumpkins have been picked, twinkling lights replace the fall colours and act as festival lights. This is one of the largest festivals in the country.