Best of 2020

My best baker’s dozen from the year 2020, which started out great, but quickly turned desperate thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the perpetual plague of American racism. Let’s hope 2021 brings something better, but don’t count on it.

Dozens of pigeons roost on light poles Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 spanning the Bob Michel Bridge.
Washington’s Joey Cape throws Morton’s Jamison Almasy in the 126-pound title match of the Mid-Illini Conference wrestling meet Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at East Peoria High School.
Dunlap’s Tahra Davis, left, and Whitney Michanicou, right, gang up on Metamora’s Katie Lalumandier late in the second half Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 in Dunlap. Metamora defeated Dunlap 62-50.
Water droplets bead up on the face of a statue in the Peoria County Veterans Memorial in Downtown Peoria as a heavy, wet snow falls Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 throughout the region.
Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS strokes his bass guitar with his trademark tongue Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 at the Peoria Civic Center. The legendary rock band hit Carver Arena on their “End of the Road” final tour.
Morton teammates Peyton Dearing (11) and Courtney Jones console each other after the Potters’ 45-44 loss to Chicago Simeon in the Class 3A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Redbird Arena in Normal. In the background is senior forward Katie Krupa, who led all scorers with 19 points.
An American Paint horse stretches out for the fresh grass just outside the fence Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Sky Blue Stables, 1001 W. Muller Road in East Peoria. Owners Ann and Kevin Eisele have operated Sky Blue since 1994 and offer horse boarding, training and riding lessons. Dozens of horses can often be seen grazing and roaming on the Sky Blue property which also features a large indoor riding arena.
Tomie Craig twirls her daughter Emmalyn Wade, 7, in circles under a cascade of water from a water cannon during an Independence Day community picnic Saturday, July 4, 2020 in South Pekin.
LaCora Holesome, left, of Peoria, a makeup artist by trade but also an amateur model, poses in a wedding dress for photographer Whitney Jensen, also of Peoria, during an afternoon photo shoot Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020 at Bradley Park. Jensen is building her portfolio in hopes of starting a wedding photography business.
Donald Brown of the Peoria Punishers pops the cork on a bottle of champagne as he celebrates with his teammates after their 58-35 victory over the Midwest Hawks for the Mid-American 8-Man Football League (MA8FL) championship Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at George Doering Park in East Peoria. The Punishers were undefeated in a shortened season that normally starts in March.
The long necks of a half-dozen cranes protrude into the autumn skyline Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 next to the McClugage Bridge in Peoria. Multiple cranes are being maneuvered around the southwest side of the bridge to help construct a work platform and piers for a new eastbound span. The current eastbound span will be demolished in May 2023 once the new one is completed near the end of 2022.
Gaston “Shorty” O’Neial flashes a grin as he chats with a trio of Phoenix House outreach workers Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at his sleeping spot in a doorway of the former Sully’s Pub in Downtown Peoria.
Peoria Fight Club creator and boxing trainer Robert Bryant, in Bulls jersey, spars with Devaunte Mables while middleweight champ Shuntz Young shadowboxes while waiting his turn to spar during a recent workout at Hot Spot Tattoo and Piercing, 416 SW Adams Street in Downtown Peoria.

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6 Responses

  1. Don “Dubbs” Washburn says:

    Very nice, Matt. Are you the only photographer left at the PJS now?

    • Matt Dayhoff says:

      Unfortunately, yes, although there is an effort underway to bring in a photo intern. So far, it hasn’t been too bad. At least there’s no confusion or argument about who’s doing what!

  2. Elsburgh Clarke says:

    Great Photographs Matt.. I wish you the best in 2021 and beyond!!

    • Matt Dayhoff says:

      Thanks! And the same to you. Be careful out at those fire scenes. Maybe I’ll see you out there again sometime, or at least at a Chiefs game.

  3. Bita says:

    You are a brilliant artist.
    Thank you for sharing the magic of your art.

    • Matt Dayhoff says:

      Thank you! Luckily, I still get paid for it!

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