World’s Largest Bounce House attracts hundreds of kids to Peoria’s Riverfront

PEORIA (25News Now) - Last year, the Peoria Park District took in a large tourism grant.

It was up to the employees to determine how to spend it and some children were able to see it for themselves, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bounce around on a 90-meter-long, low-risk obstacle course.

“On our way here some of the kids looked out the window and was like, ‘Is this Florida? Is this Disneyland?’” says Valerie Scott with 21st Century, a community program.

The World’s Largest Bounce House was made possible thanks to a $500,000 grant.

Nick Conrad, the Event Supervisor for the Peoria Park District says, “one of our goals this weekend was to increase the vibrancy in Peoria and downtown Peoria, and I hope that we’re accomplishing that.”

Between the kids versus parents dodgeball games and foam parties, hundreds of kids were bouncing off the walls on three of the World’s Largest Bounce Houses - a first for Central Illinois.

“It was fun, and I like it very much I went to the obstacle course. I fell because I was tired,” laughs K’Cya Tinsley who visited the event with her summer camp.

“Seeing this bouncy house, would you want this here every summer?” Brett Brooks asks Dariana Wade who replies, “Yes.”

“Why?” questions Brooks.

Wade responds, “Because it’s the most fun thing in the world. It has a long obstacle course and it’s really, really fun.”

On Friday, the park district partnered with area summer camps so kids from across Peoria were able to come to the Riverfront free of charge and kick off their summer vacations the right way.

Scott continues, “It’s really important for them to get out and see things they haven’t seen or may not see in their neighborhoods.”

Scott says she hopes Peoria is able to bring in more attractions like this because it opens up children’s eyes to the different kinds of fun they can have in their own backyard. ”They love it. They were tired and said it’s big, but they love it. I’m glad they bought it and hope they continue.”

Copyright 2023 WEEK. All rights reserved.