outandabout

The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “MARIGOLD WEEKEND RETURNS TO PEKIN” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Amy McCoy, Pekin Chamber of Commerce.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

Pekin Marigold Festival taking place Sept. 9-13 at Mineral Springs Park

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, about the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival, taking place Sept. 9 through the 13. The event began as an art show over half a century ago, and today Art in the Park continues that creative tradition with more than 230 vendors offering handmade and homemade work ranging from painting and writing to woodworking and other crafts.

Local News

Pekin Marigold Festival taking place Sept. 9-13 at Mineral Springs Park

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, about the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival, taking place Sept. 9 through the 13. The event began as an art show over half a century ago, and today Art in the Park continues that creative tradition with more than 230 vendors offering handmade and homemade work ranging from painting and writing to woodworking and other crafts.

The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association and an educator at Illinois Central College. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “DRAGONS ON THE RIVERFRONT” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Mengrong Taylor, Peoria Chinese Association.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

Peoria Dragon Boat Race coming to the Peoria Riverfront Sept. 13

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association, about the Peoria Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 13 at the Peoria Riverfront. The celebration offers visitors a chance to experience Chinese traditions while exploring the connections between art, culture, teamwork and community.

Local News

Peoria Dragon Boat Race coming to the Peoria Riverfront Sept. 13

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association, about the Peoria Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 13 at the Peoria Riverfront. The celebration offers visitors a chance to experience Chinese traditions while exploring the connections between art, culture, teamwork and community.

The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Cafe. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “THE ART OF REPAIR” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Jennifer Brady, Peoria Café.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

Peoria Area Repair Café coming to River City Labs Sept. 12

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Café, about its next free event on Sept. 12 at River City Labs.

Local News

Peoria Area Repair Café coming to River City Labs Sept. 12

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Café, about its next free event on Sept. 12 at River City Labs.

The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: David Commanday, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “SETTING THE STAGE” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring David Commanday, Heartland Festival Orchestra.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

Heartland Festival Orchestra opens new season Sept. 11 in Washington

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with David Commanday, artistic director and conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra, about the HFO’s upcoming season, opening Sept. 11 at Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington.

Local News

Heartland Festival Orchestra opens new season Sept. 11 in Washington

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with David Commanday, artistic director and conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra, about the HFO’s upcoming season, opening Sept. 11 at Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington.

The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Joyce Blank of Gems of the Prairie Quilters. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “GEMS OF THE PRARIE QUILT SHOW 2026” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Joyce Blank, Threads That Connect.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

Gems of the Prairie Quilters present annual quilt show Aug. 22 and 23

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Joyce Blank of Gems of the Prairie Quilters about the group’s annual quilt show, taking place Aug. 22 and 23 at the Life Together Center in Peoria.

Local News

Gems of the Prairie Quilters present annual quilt show Aug. 22 and 23

Mae Gilliland Wright

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Joyce Blank of Gems of the Prairie Quilters about the group’s annual quilt show, taking place Aug. 22 and 23 at the Life Together Center in Peoria. Visitors can explore more than 300 quilts created by local quilters, along with demonstrations, vendors, a traditional bed turning and special Quilts of Valor presentations.