July 3 celebration in Peru set with fireworks, kids zone

The city of Peru will host its Saturday, July 3, Independence Day celebration this year with many family-friendly activities geared for all ages.

The celebration will kick off at 5 p.m. on Water Street with a kids zone that will be located east of Riverfront Bar and Grill. The kids zone will have two large blow up obstacle courses, a large blow up fire truck themed slide and a bounce house.

Also located in the kids zone will be Jessica Strauch of State Farm, and the Peru police and fire departments giving away items for visitors.

Riverfront Bar and Grill will have its indoor and outdoor bars open with a beer garden set up in the parking lot. Riverfront and Bridgetenders Pub will be supplying the alcohol for the event.

Located west of Riverfront will be local food vendors, such as Dos Vatos Tacos, HyVee, Rosati’s, Mickey’s Massive Burritos and the Doghouse. Peru Little Leaguers will be in attendance selling soda, candy popcorn, among other items.

There will be live music at Riverfront as 3 Day Weekend will take the stage starting at 7 p.m. WLPO is a sponsor of the show and the fireworks will be synchronized on 103.9 FM.

Starved Rock Trolleys will be providing transportation to Water Street as the route will be around the parking lots on Fourth Street for any visitor that wants to wave them down and utilize them.

All of the events will lead up to the planned firework display that will take place south of the river at dusk. All viewers of the fireworks are encouraged to watch from Water Street.

Barring inclement weather Saturday, the rain date for the events will be the following night.

If the area is flooded, the city may have to postpone the event and look for a date later in the summer to have the firework display. City officials are hopeful there will be no issues.

Know Peru’s parking restrictions

The Peru Police Department also wanted to remind the public of the temporary parking restrictions surrounding the Saturday, July 3, fireworks display. These restrictions are in addition to the regular restrictions that are already posted.

There will be barricades set up at the intersections of Water, Plain, Putnam and Water streets. No Traffic will be permitted on Water Street between Plain and Putnam.

Traffic will not be permitted southbound on Pike Street from Market Street as well as Putnam Street south of First Street after 7:30 p.m.

The following no parking restrictions will be posted, these restrictions will go into effect at 5 p.m. Saturday and will remain in effect until the fireworks have concluded. Vehicles in violations will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.