Parking & Directions

Peoria Parking

In Peoria, police will block Water Street to vehicular traffic between State Street and Hamilton beginning at 6:15am until 11pm or whenever the fireworks crowd clears out. There will be no parking in the riverfront lots during the event.

The general public should find a place to park west of Washington Street. Street parking is available downtown with no meter charge. There may be areas downtown where street parking is prohibited due to construction, so watch for the signs.

The city parking garages are open and free. The Twin Towers lot and the Washington Parking Deck at Washington and Fulton are paid lots.

Handicapped parking is available at the city lot across from the CAT parking garage at the foot of Hamilton and Water. Police will direct only those vehicles marked with proper handicapped identification.

The Bob Michel Bridge is closed to all traffic for construction.

There will be absolutely no stopping, parking or standing on I-74 at the Murray Baker Bridge during the fireworks.

I-74 eastbound (downtown) exit ramp at Washington will be closed during the fireworks.

Directions to Peoria Riverfront

From I-74 West: Go across the Murray Baker Bridge to the Adams/Jefferson exit, the first exit off the bridge. Use Jefferson Street south into downtown.

From I-74 East: Use the Glen Oak exit and stay in the two left lanes for Fayette or use the two right lanes and take Hamilton or Main Street into downtown. The Washington exit will also be open, but parking for the event is generally west of Washington. Use the Washington exit to Hamilton.

Leaving the Fireworks Peoria

Plan your route out: Downtown streets and ramps may be opened and closed as situations warrant. The entrance ramps to westbound I-74 are open at Washington, Glen Oak (the tunnel by OSF) and Knoxville. The entrance ramps to eastbound I-74 are open at Knoxville, Glen Oak (at UnityPoint Health) and on Fayette just past Jefferson. Peoria Police will be directing as the downtown streets fill up quickly with traffic and pedestrians. Use caution!

EAST PEORIA

In East Peoria, parking is available in the Riverfront Park lot across from the park’s entrance and the Riverside Center (Wal-Mart Super Center and Lowes) parking lots. No RV or trailer parking will be allowed in the Riverfront Park parking lot. In addition, no parking of any kind will be allowed on Conference Drive near the Embassy Suites Hotel.

All Interstate 74 ramps leading to Riverside Drive and eastbound Interstate 74 exit ramp to North Main Street (Route 116), will be closed at 9:00pm.

The fireworks will begin at 9:30pm. Additionally, Bass Pro Drive will be closed directly behind Wal-Mart starting at 6 p.m. The parking area at Bass Pro Shops will be accessible by Riverside Drive. Bass Pro Drive will remain closed until after the fireworks display is over and all pedestrians have left the park area.

No parking will be allowed on the Interstate 74 east and west flyover ramps.

IMPORTANT: The East Peoria Police Department requests that people be considerate and not use multiple parking spots for lawn chairs and other accessories in the Riverside Center parking lots. Parking lots must be used for vehicles, not chairs.

Handicapped parking areas:

Located in the parking lot adjacent to RiverFront Park (next to Shogun Japanese Restaurant).
Available on a first come, first served basis.
Vehicles must display the proper handicapped license plate or mirror tag.

Directions to East Peoria Riverfront

From I-74 East or West: Use the Route 116/Main Street or Riverfront Drive exits.

Leaving the Fireworks in East Peoria

“When thousands of people come to a party, there will be traffic slow-downs. Patience and humor are encouraged.” – City of East Peoria

RED – Traffic from Bass Pro, Riverside Drive, Lowe’s, Camp Street Crossing and West Camp Street

All traffic will travel eastbound on West Camp Street where it can either continue east on East Camp or turn north on North Main Street.

GREEN – Traffic from Walmart, RiverFront Park, River Road, Conference Center Drive, West Washington Street, and the south side of West Washington between the roundabout and the Main and Washington Street area including Costco

All traffic from the riverfront area will travel south on River Road and eastbound on West Washington Street. From there it can continue onto the flyover toward Peoria only, turn south from the roundabout toward the Cedar Street Bridge and go in either direction, or to the intersection of Main and Washington where it can either continue eastbound or turn south.

BLACK – All allowed westbound traffic in the downtown area, the Target lot and Clock Tower Drive/Aldi

The Target lot will empty on the far east side by McDonald’s and Panda Express onto Spinder Drive. Traffic will be forced to turn only south on Spinder toward West Washington Street. Once on West Washington Street it will be shuttled westbound toward the roundabout where it can exit either toward the Cedar Street Bridge or the flyover ramp toward Morton only. Clock Tower and Aldi traffic will be forced to exit the lot on the far west side, just west of the roundabout. From there, they will travel onto the flyover toward Morton. Any traffic coming westbound on East Camp Street will be forced to turn northbound on North Main Street. No traffic will be allowed to go westbound on East or West Washington Street at Main.

East Peoria Police are advising motorists to expect post-fireworks traffic delays of up to three hours.

PATIENCE IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!