563 has thrice hosted EAA's B-17, assisting in ground operations at the main Peoria airport.
The Chapter held a fly-in for experimental aircraft in September, 2015. Sonex had a booth displaying their aircraft and engines, and they also made a presentation at the FBO hangar. Other presentations included: Aircraft Financing by the local Commerce Bank office; LifeLine Pilots; Aeromedical changes; Sonex construction; AeroVee turbo engines; and ADS-B requirements. A fly-in breakfast was held the same day.
At our fly-in for late September, 2016, several aviation related organizations from the area had information tables or booths, including the Peoria R/C Modelers, the local Aviation Explorer Post, LifeLine Pilots, Kent Cook Aircraft, Lincoln Land College's Aviation Program, Wicks Aircraft, the Greater Peoria Honor Flight, the Civil Air Patrol, and of course EAA Chapter 563. As in 2015 a food vendor offered hot meals and several forums were scheduled. Two hot air balloons inflated but the weather didn't permit flights. Kent Cook's flight school offered demo rides to the public after the skies cleared enough.
Both the 2015 and 2016 fly-ins were hampered by fog and low ceilings until afternoon, and attendance was poor. No further fly-ins are currently planned.