Thursday, 9/5. Common Place Family Learning Center will honor State Senator David Koehler and Nora Sullivan at the Love in Action Reception at The Warehouse on State at 5pm. commonplacepeoria.org

Friday, 9/6. The Heart of Illinois United Way officially kicks off its 2019 campaign with a breakfast at the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30am. Guest speaker Tim Stiles of KPMG will share how data lies at the heart of philanthropic work. hoiunitedway.org

Sunday, 9/8. The Peoria Humane Society invites you and your best furry friend to Bark in the Park at Dozer Park from 11am to 3pm. Enjoy fun, dog-friendly activities while raising money for the Humane Society. peoriahs.org

Tuesday, 9/10. Dr. Joy Miller, Michele Sullivan and other nationally recognized experts will speak at the Resiliency 2019 conference at Trailside Event Center. The daylong workshop focuses on strategies, techniques and methodologies to make you more resilient. resiliency2019.com

Tuesday, 9/10. Wear your fall flannel or denim and celebrate the accomplishments of adults with disabilities at the CWTC Pathway Awards Dinner & Auction at Embassy Suites in East Peoria. Social hour and silent auction start at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6pm. cwtc.org

Wednesday, 9/11 thru Saturday, 9/14. Voted “Best Community Event” in Peoria Magazines’ Best of Peoria awards, the Morton Pumpkin Festival returns for four days of fun and food! This year’s theme is “Luck O’ the Pumpkins.” mortonpumpkinfestival.org

Thursday, 9/12. The first-ever Taste of the Heights takes place from 5 to 9:30pm along “Culinary Row” on Prospect Road in Peoria Heights. Led by Hugh Higgins of Hearth, the event will feature restaurants competing to win prizes, along with live music, vendors and more. peoriaheightschamber.com

Saturday, 9/14. Bring the family and Paddle the Preserve at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve from 4 to 7pm. Canoe or kayak within Emiquon while enjoying wildlife and learning about wetland restoration efforts. fws.gov/refuge/emiquon

Saturday, 9/14. Enjoy a progressive dinner, live music and libations while migrating around the Africa exhibit at the Peoria Zoo’s annual Zoo-La-La fundraiser. The fun kicks off at 5:30pm. peoriazoo.org

Monday, 9/16. The CFCI Women’s Fund will host the Women’s Leadership Panel at the Peoria Riverfront Museum with panelists Dr. Rita Ali, Jessica Ford, Ronda Guyton, Christine Kahl and Nikki Romain. Networking starts at 4:30pm, with the panel discussion at 5:15pm. communityfoundationci.org

Wednesday, 9/18. Dress up as your favorite primetime show character and come to the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo at Northwoods Mall from 4 to 7pm. peoriachamber.org 

Thursday, 9/19. The 2019 Pathways to Success Conference, sponsored by NAWBO and Women in Leadership of Central Illinois, takes place from 10am to 4pm at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino. Renowned speaker Mimi Brown kicks off the event, followed by breakout sessions focused on empowering women to succeed. peoriawomeninleadership.com

Friday, 9/20 thru Sunday, 9/22. Enjoy German beer, food, music, dancing and family-friendly activities at Peoria Oktoberfest at Peoria Riverfront Park. oktoberfestpeoria.com

Saturday, 9/21. The Hult Center for Healthy Living will host a Lobster Luau fundraiser from 5 to 10pm with a lobster boil prepared by Dixon Fisheries. hulthealthy.org

Friday, 9/27. Peoria Promise presents “The Event,” a musical shoot-out featuring Beatles tribute band Abbey Road and Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, auction and raffle items. peoriapromise.org

Friday, 9/27 thru Sunday, 9/29. The 57th annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair takes place at Peoria Riverfront Park featuring the work of 130 artists. Original works of art include jewelry, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, mixed media, glass, sculpture and more. peoriaartguild.org PM