Eureka’s Tucker Hinkle gets a little encouragement during the Early Redbird cross-country meet on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. Hinkle won the race and led the Hornets to a first-place team finish.
MANUAL VS RICHWOODS – Manual’s Kyren Campbell (11) pulls down Richwoods running back Ryan Beschomer in the first half of their Week 2 football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Peoria Stadium. The Knights defeated the Rams 15-6.
MANUAL VS RICHWOODS – Richwoods quarterback Bryce Hopkins (2) tosses the ball towards wide receiver Amari Johnson (15) under pressure from Manual’s Amaree Robinson in the first half of their Week 2 football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Peoria Stadium. The Knights defeated the Rams 15-6.
MANUAL VS RICHWOODS – The Manual Rams mascot gets some attention from the crowd during their Week 2 football game against Richwoods on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Peoria Stadium. The Rams fell to the Knights 15-6.
NOTRE DAME VS PEORIA HIGH – The Peoria Notre Dame student section shows some enthusiasm as the Irish battle Peoria High in a Week 2 football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Irish fell to the Lions 46-40.
NOTRE DAME VS PEORIA HIGH – Peoria High lineman Jaquarius Green lands on a Peoria Notre Dame fumble in the second half of their Week 2 football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Lions defeated the Irish 46-40.
NOTRE DAME VS PEORIA HIGH – The Peoria High staff and bench erupt after a Peoria Notre Dame turnover in the closing second in the second half of their Week 2 football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Lions defeated the Irish 46-40.
FOUNDER’S DAY – Youngsters spin around and around on a merry-go-round on the new Tricentennial Playground on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Glen Oak Park. The new million-dollar playground was unveiled for the Peoria Park District’s Founder’s Day celebration, replacing an old wooden one that was constructed in 1992.
FOUNDER’S DAY – Vanessa Hernandez, 6, of Peoria gives her mom a thumbs-up after getting part way up a climbing wall during the Peoria Park District’s Founder’s Day celebration Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Glen Oak Park.
FOUNDER’S DAY – Jordan Cole, 2, of Peoria enjoys a steady stream of bubbles during the Peoria Park District’s Founder’s Day celebration Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Glen Oak Park.
FOUNDER’S DAY – Members of American Legion Post 2 post the colors before a performance by the Peoria Municipal Band on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Glen Oak Park, part of the Peoria Park District’s Founder’s Day celebration.
GIANT PUMPKINS – Robert Villa, right, in blue shirt, of Robinson, checks the weight on his giant pumpkin during the annual Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at the Morton Pumpkin Festival. The massive gourd weighed in at 1,247.5 pounds. The festival officially kicks off at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
GIANT PUMPKINS – Arlie Chapin, 2, of Morton inspects a line of giant pumpkins Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 during the Morton Pumpkin Festival Weigh-Off.
GIANT PUMPKINS – The Roth family, Kendall, 10, top left, Cooper, 13, second from right, Melissa, far right, and Nic of Roth Pumpkin Patch in Morton unload their pumpkins Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 for the Pumpkin Weigh-Off at the Morton Pumpkin Festival.
EAST PEORIA VS LIMESTONE – East Peoria’s Aady Hasty (65) wraps up Limestone ballcarrier Kamar Sanders in the first half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Rockets 47-28.
EAST PEORIA VS LIMESTONE – Limestone’s Kamar Sanders (1) bowls over East Peoria’s Henry Kaufman in the first half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Rockets 47-28.
EAST PEORIA VS LIMESTONE – Zain Booe, left, 10, and Jordan Pinneo, 11, stand for the national anthem with the rest of the crowd before the start of a Week 3 football game between East Peoria and Limestone on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Rockets 47-28.
EAST PEORIA VS LIMESTONE – Limestone’s Jalen Caho (44) tries to snag a long pass against East Peoria’s Jaiden Seelye in the first half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Caho dropped the pass. The Raiders defeated the Rockets 47-28.
WASHINGTON VS METAMORA –Metamora’s Kaleb Morrison dives for a Washington ballcarrier in the second half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 37-7.
WASHINGTON VS METAMORA –Washington Panthers fans dance in the student section in the second half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Metamora Redbirds 37-7.
WASHINGTON VS METAMORA –Washington’s Jacob Gauf (58) lifts up teammate Evan Deasey after Deasey’s touchdown against Metamora in the second half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 37-7.
WASHINGTON VS METAMORA –Students run down the track carrying flags after a Washington touchdown in the second half of their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Metamora Redbirds 37-7.
WASHINGTON VS METAMORA – Washington head football coach Todd Stevens talks with his team after receiving the game ball following the Panthers’ 37-7 win over the Metamora Redbirds in their Week 3 football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Babcook Field in Washington.
FIRST TO THE FINISH – The Eureka Hornets boys cross-country team gathers for a prayer before the Class 1A boys race at the First to the Finish Invitational meet Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Hornets won the event by two points over Aurora Central Catholic.
FIRST TO THE FINISH – The Washington girls cross country team gets pumped up before the Class 2A girls race of the First to the Finish high school cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
FIRST TO THE FINISH – Peoria Notre Dame’s Maxwell Kirby sprints to the finish for sixth place in the Class 1A boys race of the First to the Finish Invitational cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Irish finished fourth overall.
FIRST TO THE FINISH – A large pack of runners lead the way in the Class 2A boys race of the First to the Finish high school cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Washington’s Aubrey Hurckes high-fives her teammates during player introductions before the start of their Mid-Illini volleyball match against Limestone on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Washington’s Alexandria Robokoff Mullen (12) tries to spike the ball past Limestone’s Brylee Sprout in the first set of their Mid-Illini volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Washington’s Ava Mikell bumps a Limestone serve, backed up by teammate Kamille Barth, in the first set of their Mid-Illini volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Limestone’s Hannah West spikes the ball against Washington’s Carly Dawson in the second set of their Mid-Illini volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Limestone’s Ella Karmenzind, facing, and Mia Lamberti leap for a spike from Washington’s Danielle Guedet in the second set of their Mid-Illini volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
WASHINGTON VS LIMESTONE – Washington’s Kadie Bishop (11) points at teammate Brooklyn Schulte after a point against Limestone in the first set of their Mid-Illini volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Torry Gym in Washington. The Rockets defeated the Panthers in straights sets 25-22, 25-22.
RICHWOODS VS NOTRE DAME –Richwoods’ Leo Barfield (66) tries to stop Peoria Notre Dame’s Ben Mullens from running in to the endzone in the first half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. Mullens scored on the play and the Irish defeated the Knights 65-14.
RICHWOODS VS NOTRE DAME –Richwoods fans wear “Minion” glasses and blow bubbles as the Knights battle Peoria Notre Dame in the first half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Irish defeated the Knights 65-14.
RICHWOODS VS NOTRE DAME –The Peoria Notre Dame defense swarms Richwoods receiver Jeremiah Boatright in the first half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Irish defeated the Knights 65-14.
RICHWOODS VS NOTRE DAME – Richwoods’ Ayce Hawks (11) poses for “photos” by teammate Jeremiah Boatright (10) after a touchdown reception against Peoria Notre Dame in the first half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at Richwoods Stadium. The Irish defeated the Knights 65-14.
PEKIN VS WASHINGTON – Washington’s A.J. Jones (1) snags a pass over Pekin’s Alex Holmes in the second half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Pekin. The touchdown sealed the Panthers’ 19-9 win over the Dragons.
PEKIN VS WASHINGTON – The Washington cheerleaders lead the Panthers student section in the second half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 in Pekin. The Panthers defeated the Pekin Dragons 19-9.
OKTOBERFEST – The Lindenhof Echoes Alpenhorns perform during the annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 on the Peoria rivefront. The horns are 12 feet long and crafted from alpine spruce.
OKTOBERFEST – The dachshund races draw a large crowd during the annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront.
OKTOBERFEST – Flags fly in the breeze during an opening ceremony parade for the annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront.
OKTOBERFEST – Youngsters dance to the sounds of the Brasshaufen band from St. Louis during the annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 on the Peoria rivefront.
NOTRE DAME VS RICHWOODS – Peoria Notre Dame’s Thatcher Hogan (19) and Kayden Hudson (7) celebrate one of Hudson’s goals against Richwoods in the first half of their high school soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. The Irish defeated the Knights 4-0.
NOTRE DAME VS RICHWOODS – Richwoods’ Connor Benway falls to the pitch in a collision with Peoria Notre Dame’s Max Matarelli in the first half of their high school soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. The Irish defeated the Knights 4-0.
NOTRE DAME VS RICHWOODS – Peoria Notre Dame’s Kayden Hudson, right, uses his chest to control the ball against Richwoods’ Daniel Flores in the first half of their high school soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. The Irish defeated the Knights 4-0.
FARMINGTON VS ELMWOOD – The Farmington Farmers take the field under a setting sun before the start of their Week 5 high school football game against Elmwood/Brimfield on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Elmwood. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 40-0.
FARMINGTON VS ELMWOOD – Farmington’s Jack Gronewold (13) snags a reception past Elmwood’s Tommy Burkitt in the first half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Elmwood. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 40-0.
FARMINGTON VS ELMWOOD – Farmington’s Boston Smith (0) celebrates a touchdown reception by teammate Jack Gronewold (13) in the first half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Elmwood. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 40-0.
FARMINGTON VS ELMWOOD – Elmwood/Brimfield’s Matt Glenn tackles Farmington’s Logan Utt in the first half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Elmwood. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 40-0.
PEKIN VS MORTON – The Pekin Dragons student section waves goodbye to the Morton Potters late in the second half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Morton. The Dragons edged the Potters 27-24.
PEKIN VS MORTON – Morton’s Cole Rinkenberger forces a fumble from Pekin’s Dylan Anderson late in the second half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Morton. Anderson recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. The Dragons edged the Potters 27-24.
PEKIN VS MORTON – Morton quarterback Isaac Davis (12) tosses the ball to a teammate under pressure from Pekin’s Hudson Nutter in the second half of their Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Morton. The Dragons edged the Potters 27-24.
PEKIN VS MORTON – The Pekin Dragons mob their head coach Doug Nutter after their 27-24 win over Morton in a Week 5 high school football game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Morton.
FINE ARTS FAIR – Michigan-based painter Thomas LeGault works on a live piece at his booth during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront. The annual event continues from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
FINE ARTS FAIR – A patron inspects a wall of highly-detailed landscapes of fine art photography by Scott Sternberg during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront. The annual event continues from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
FINE ARTS FAIR – Jonah Ballard, a painter from Goodyear, Arizona, works on a piece as patrons browse his booth during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront. The annual event continues from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
FINE ARTS FAIR – Copper spinners twirl in the wind at Michigan sculptor Troy Anderson during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 on the Peoria riverfront. The annual event continues from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
