IGNITE PEORIA IS BACK!!
Central Illinois’ premiere arts and makers fest returns to the Peoria Civic Center on August 12! Perfect for the whole family, Ignite Peoria showcases hundreds of local makers, musicians, artists, innovators, dancers, and actors, in one STEAM inspired interactive FREE day of fun and learning! The Proud Home MidWest Makerfest, and Sensory Ignite, this one of a kind festival boasts over 65 hands-on creation stations booths where attendees can learn about singing, writing, dancing, building, acting, painting, drawing, coding, 3D printing, robotics, and so much more! Additionally, the event showcases theatre, dance, spoken word, literary arts; and includes two live performance stages, a flying drone course demonstration, and a live photo shoot at Fashion Ignite! And it’s free! So mark your calendars and join us for the return of Ignite Peoria 2023!
The Follow Your Arts Corridor will offer a range of interactive arts activities, demonstrations, and experiences from some of your favorite arts organizations from across the Peoria Area!
Located within the Follow Your Arts Corridor, Fashion Ignite will feature 4 live fashion photo shoot setups, with professional models, make-up artists, hairdressers and photographers. Led by visionary Lily Scalf, design themes this year include plastics, microplastics, greenwashing and carbon footprints. The shoots will be avant garde, and high concept, allowing the public to experience what goes into a professional fashion photo shoot from start to finish. Visit KM Jewelry Design and Whiskey Crawler adjacent to the Fashion Ignite block for more fashion and design fun.
Midwest Makerfest will be located in Exhibit Hall C and will feature DIY projects, a flying drone course, 3D printing, robotics, resin casting, shape memory alloy demonstrations, cosplay, engineering and coding games, displays, and more.
Sensory Ignite is a special area of festival designed to gently spark creativity, serving attendees with sensory sensitivities and special needs. It will be located outside of Exhibit Hall C near the Monroe Street Entrance and will feature interactive activities and resources.
2023 Workshops
8:30am - 11:00am
FIRST Tech Challenge PreSeason Workshops* (Rm. 134, 135, 136)
Basic Java – Part I
Advanced Mechanism Control
Portfolio and Judging
*These classes are geared towards students involved with FIRST Tech Challenge Teams, however anyone interested can pre-register to join by emailing [email protected]
11:30am - 2:00am
FIRST Tech Challenge PreSeason Workshops* (Rm. 134, 135)
Rm 134 – Basic Java Part 2
Rm 135 – Open CV
*These classes are geared towards students involved with FIRST Tech Challenge Teams, however anyone interested can pre-register to join by emailing f[email protected]
12:00pm - 12:45pm
Musical Theatre for Kids (ages 5 – 21) (Rm. 136)
Ever thought about being on stage in a community musical production but are not sure what to expect? Here’s your chance to get experience and lots of advice. It’s all fun and no stress at this Nitsch Theatre Arts (NTA) sponsored workshop.
2023 Performance Schedule
Main Stage
9:00am - 9:30am
Coach Bre Cottage-LLC
A variety of cheerleading and dance routines including jazz, hip hop, and more!
10:30am - 11:00am
Nitsch Theatre Arts
NTA’s Rising Stars and Singapella groups perform their Hits of the Stage and Screen Show!
11:00am - 11:30am
Nitsch Theatre Arts
NTA’s Teen group showcase a sneak peak of their upcoming Addams Family show!
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Peoria Ballet
These talented dancers showcase ballet, contemporary, jazz and modern!
12:30pm -1:00pm
PAPAS
The Peoria Area Performing Arts Studio will wow you with their amazing performance!
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Peoria Players Theatre
The players highlight their recent and upcoming shows and performances!
1:30pm - 2:00pm
Central Illinois Ballet
The Central Illinois Ballet showcases performances from a variety of their dancers!
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Filipino-American Society
Get a taste of Filipino culture through dance and a fashion show!
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Peoria Magicians Assembly
Now you see it, now you don’t! Don’t miss these amazing magicians!
The Launchpad

10:45am - 11:30am
Audrey Karan Voss