Peru, Illinois, calls itself the "Leader of the Illinois Valley." It's home to two major car clubs, featuring both classics and hot rods, customized modern autos, and a lively show car culture. There are local cruises almost every weekend in the warm weather months. The city is located on the Illinois River, near the intersection of Interstates 39 and 80, and has 9,835 residents.
The Illinois Valley Rodders' annual September cruise-in on Water Street in Peru first started in 2000. The members cruise through the epicenter of the Illinois Valley. As of autumn 2010, the club requires a $5 fee to enter the cruise and competition. The first 150 entries receive dash plaques, with awards to the top 20 vehicles. There is also a raffle, a DJ and food. For more information call, 815-223-1393.
The Blood Sweat and Gears car club hosts cruises in August at Culver's Restaurant on State 251 in Peru. The event features a DJ and karaoke. The club offers dash plaques, a raffle and food. Culver's Restaurant is located on Midtown Road, in Peru. The club cruises to similar events at John's North Star in LaSalle in May, June and July.
The Illinois Valley club also hosts an annual car show in Peru, offers a scholarship to an automotive student at the Illinois Valley Community College, and attends local fire department fundraisers. For more information, call 815-224-2261 or 815-223-2864, or visit BloodSweatandGears.com.
Blood, Sweat and Gears plans cruises to benefit area volunteer fire departments. The club cruises to the Marseilles Car Show in July, in downtown Marseilles, with a $5 entry to benefit the Marseilles Fire Department. The Granville Cruise Night, through Granville, donates the proceeds from a $5 entry to the Granville Fire Department. Also in August, proceeds from the $5 entry for the Spring Valley Super Cruise, through downtown Spring Valley, benefits the Spring Valley Fire Department.
The club usually meets, and then drives to shows and cruise nights as a group. Members meet at Oglesby's Casey's if an event is "south of the river," and at Culver's in Peru, if it's northward.
For more information, call 815-224-2261 or 815-223-2864, or visit BloodSweatandGears.com.
