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Beatrice Alleyne

Play In Peoria Weekend Road Trip



Peoria, Illinois has embarked on an exciting new chapter with the launch of its inaugural festival- Play In Peoria.  The festival is a vibrant celebration that promises to showcase the best of what the city has to offer. From local artisans and musicians to delicious food vendors and engaging activities for all ages, this festival aims to unite residents and visitors alike in a joyous celebration of Peoria’s unique character. Driving from Chicago was not a strenuous road trip but an enjoyable commute to discover Peoria for the first time with my partner.  



The first stop when we arrived mid-morning, to experience Play In Peoria was their Farmers Market.  Visiting the Peoria Riverfront Market was a delightful experience that truly captured the essence of community and local flavor.  We were met with live music, tantalizing smells, and a community of residents and visitors alike basking in the liveliness of the Market.  It was a nice but hot Saturday morning.  We were saved by icy pops and cake pops from POPS, a black owned business specializing in these delectable treats.  Young’s Popcorn Heaven is another black owned business we stopped by at the Market.   We had time to chat up the owners Greg & JoAnn Young.  I cannot pass up popcorn so it was mandatory we got a few popcorn bags to snack on and bring home for later.  Young’s Popcorn Heaven also has a brick and mortar that I highly recommend visiting for even more flavors of gourmet popcorn.  I Sincerely Wish was the last black owned vendor we decided to visit so I could stock up on my candle stash at home.  I ended up getting a wonderful smelling cucumber melon scent.  

La Caravana is a huge celebration that kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in Peoria.  This family friendly event has tons of food, live music, local businesses, and traditional horse/car caravan riding.  When my partner and I arrived at Morton Square Park we ordered three tacos each to satisfy our hunger. The tacos were amazing and we washed them down with agua de jamaica, also known as iced hibiscus tea.  It was so much fun seeing all the cars with their flags flying high, driving past and the families who were grinning ear to ear.  The community was so lively and friendly during La Caravana and I felt very welcomed during the event.  



Shaun Chef Soul Food is a relatively new restaurant in Peoria that we visited in between activities.  This black owned establishment is a new staple that I hope continues to flourish.  Shaun Chef has a legendary Sunday Dinner meal that you can take advantage of any day they are open, it’s not only reserved for Sundays.  The Sunday Dinner meal is what I ordered and I was floored with how good it was.  You get a lot of food for a reasonable price.  It took a little bit of time for us to get our food but it was worth it.  


Sunday Soul Dinner at Shaun Chef
Sunday Soul Dinner at Shaun Chef

An absolutely hilarious night ensued as we entered the Peoria Civic Center to see comedy headliner Ali Siddiq.  I have heard of Ali Siddiq but I have never seen any of his stand up specials.  When he finally took the mic, his infectious energy immediately filled the room, and I was swept away by his sharp wit and funny stories he told about his family.  He had me laughing so much and by the end of the night he had gained another fan. 

SLÉ was our official last stop of our Peoria trip.  SLÉ is a black owned business that specializes in brunch on Sundays.  This is a special brunch because it’s buffet style, everything is made fresh and there’s a ton of variety.  They even have some nice mimosa options at an affordable price.  SLÉ is an easy repeat restaurant I would go to again because the food was excellent!

It’s clear that Peoria has a little something for everyone. From exploring the beautiful riverfront and indulging in delicious local cuisine to immersing ourselves in the vibrant arts scene and enjoying the warmth of its community, every moment was filled with joy and discovery.  Play In Peoria offered a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. A road trip from the Chicagoland area to Peoria is a road trip you should consider for your next adventure!


This blog post is in partnership with and sponsored by Discover Peoria

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