The HOI Fair continues at Expo Gardens through Saturday. It features free grand stand entertainment, daily attractions, truck/tractor and semi truck pulls, demo derbies, livestock competition, home arts exhibits, large midway carnival rides and food of every kind. The fair opens at 8 am, rides & concessions open at Noon. For more info, call 691-6332 or click HERE.

The Central Illinois Banjo Club is proud to present the Fretted Instrument Guild of America 52nd Annual FIGA Convention at the Hotel Pere Marquette through Saturday. Musicians will come from 38 states, Canada, France and Germany: these are the best in the world.  There are numerous activities open to the public:  to see them all, check out the ExplorePeoria.com calendar HERE.

The Youth Music Festival will be at the Glen Oak Amphitheatre from 6:30 - 8:30 pm tonight.  Come for a fun filled evening with the young musicians from the Peoria Park District's Summer Band and Orchestra Program and special guest stars.  Admission is $3 for the general public and free to students with an ID.

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival presents Richard the Third at Ewing Manor in Bloomington tonight beginning at 7:30 pm.  On Friday night, they'll present A Midsummer Night's Dream at 8 pm.  On Saturday, they present Scapin beginning at 8 pm.  Tickets range in price from $16 to $40 for individual seats and are available online at Ticketmaster.com .  Season tickets are also available.  There is also a Saturday morning performance of The Tempest which is free, but does require reservations and begins at 10 am.  The show runs 45 minutes and is geared toward children 9 and older.  Reservations may be made for The Tempest by callin 309-438-3334 or emailing festedu@ilstu.edu.  For more information about the festival, click HERE  or call (866) IL-SHAKE.

Cassie Hart & Friends will perform at the  CEFCU Center Stage tonight at The Landing on the Peoria Riverfront.  The show runs from 7-9 pm and admission is free. This series of concerts is supported by CEFCU and the Illinois Jazz Society.

Dance to the music of Jack Vieley from 7-10 pm at the Itoo Hall located at 4909 W. Farmington Road.  Doors open at 6 pm.  For more information, call the Itoo Hall at 676-9725 or click HERE.

Corn Stock Theatre continues it summer season with Once Upon a Mattress tonight through Saturday.  All performances begin at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students 18 & under and are available at the Corn Stock Box Office or by phone at 676-2196.

Sean Rouse will be performing at the Jukebox Comedy Club this weekend.  Showtimes are Thursday at 8 pm and Friday and Saturday at 8 and 10:30 pm.   Tickets to see Sean are $15 or $14 with cash except for the Thursday show and the Friday late show which are just $10 with cash.  Sean's show is rated R.  For more information, call 673-5853 or click HERE.

The movie Journey to the Center of the Earth will be shown under Wildlife Prairie State Park's famous tepee shelter Friday night. The fee is $12 per carload. Gates open at 7:15 pm and show time is at 8 pm. Ice cream, popcorn, s'mores & drinks will be available for purchase.  Then on Sunday, is the Wildlife Park Member Appreciation Day.  There'll be special park activities, giveaways, free train rides and more from 10 am - 4 pm. This day is for Wildlife Prairie State Park Members - find out how to become one today by calling 676-0998 or clicking HERE.

The Spirit of Peoria RiverBoat will host the Tropical Rock & Roll for Your Soul / Jimmy Buffet Night. The Dockside Cookout will run from 7 - 11 pm, with the cruise running from 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm. Tickets are $35 per person. 21 and over only.  For more information, click HERE.

Peoria's RiverFront Market features Illinois grown produce, local meats, cheeses, fresh breads, herbs, and flowers...plus a great selection of local art including jewelry, pottery, wood-turned items, candles, and much more every Saturday Morning from 8 a.m. - Noon along Peoria's beautiful RiverFront.  For more information, call 671-5555 or click HERE.

Back by popular demand, Too White Crew returns to The RiverFront's CEFCU Center Stage at The Landing on Saturday night. Check out the world's first old school hip-hop tribute band -- and don't forget The Fly Girls. Gates open at 7:30 pm.  Admission is $7 per person. The Landing bar will be open to serve beverages.

The German-American Society Corn Boil is on Saturday at Hickory Grove Park in Dunlap from 3 - 7 pm.  Activities include archery, bean bag toss, bacci ball competition and more fun and games. The event is free.

The Tazwell County Museum & Educational Center will host a Fine Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday at Riverfront Park in Pekin. Hours are from 10 am to 5 pm both days.  Artists from around the area are exhibiting and selling their art, including pottery, jewelry, handmade glass items, paintings, and more.  Music will be performed throughout the event, including the Friends of Harmony, who will perform at 2 pm on Sunday.  Wine tasting will be available, plus there will also be face painting & sand painting for children.  Food vendors will be on site as well.

Moms swim free at  Lakeview Aquatic Center on their Sunday when accompanied by family.  Center hours are 12 - 5 pm. Admission is $5.50 for ages 13-64, $3.75 for ages 4-12, and free for ages 3 & under.

The USA Roller Sports 2009 Speed Skating National Championship will be held at the Peoria Civic Center beginning Sunday from 2 - 9:30 pm. Tickets are are $10 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office. Children 7 and under are free. For a detailed schedule of each day's events, click HERE.

The Central Illinois Jazz Society Presents Kevin Hart and the Vibe Tribe on Sunday from 6 - 9:30 pm at the Peoria Castle Lodge in the Mozart Room. Tickets are $5 for members, $7 for non-members, and free to children 14 & under. For more information, call 692-5330.

The 3rd annual Shrimp and Corn Boil for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the Itoo Hall on Sunday from 11 am and 6 pm. $10 will get you a meal of jumbo shrimp, corn on the cob, new potatoes, smoked sausage and ice tea. There will also be raffles and a 50/50 drawing. For more information, call 679-4580.