Tickets On sale Now!
Saturday, August 15th, 2026
2026 Miss Marigold Pageant
F.M. Peterson Theatre - Pekin Community High School
Join us for the 50th annual Miss Marigold and the Jr. Miss Marigold Pageant!
The Miss Marigold Pageant focuses on awarding scholarship money to savvy, goal oriented and aware young women from our community. Contestants will compete in the areas of interview, community service, on-stage question, talent and evening gown. The young woman chosen to reign over this year’s festival as Miss Marigold will receive a $3,000 scholarship and have an active role in a variety of community events throughout her year-long term. The young women chosen as Jr. Miss Marigold will win $250.
Miss & Jr. Miss Marigold
Congratulations to the following contestants that have been selected to compete this year.
Miss Marigold
Isabella McCain
Brena McKinley
Charlee Lenne
Isabella Halverson
Mya Foster
Sarah Frahm
Keirah King
Riley O’Donnell
Jr. Miss Marigold
Leila Spangler
Elliott Munter
Sarah Thorne
Jane White
Josie Telford
Piper Cole
Molly Mae Gardner
Mirabelle Ashbaker
Addison Matthews
Mini Marigold Mentoring Program
Applications are now open and will be filled on a first come, first served basis!
This non-competitive mentoring program is open to girls aged 6-12. Registration is $60.
Participants will get an up close and behind the scenes look at the Miss Marigold pageant. They’ll be partnered with a contestant and attend two contestant meetings, dress rehearsal, and a special workshop on pageant day. On pageant night they’ll be featured in both the opening number and a crowning ceremony of their own. Participants will also receive a t-shirt, custom 50th anniversary Miss Marigold tiara, and other goodies.
Sponsor a Miss or Jr. Miss Contestant
Sponsor one Miss Marigold or Jr. Miss Marigold contestant.
You may select your contestant by emailing info@pekinchamber.com after payment is remitted.
Accepting Cash, Check, Venmo @PekinChamber or Card.
Miss Marigold Pageant Scholarship Fund
Money donated to this fund will be used to fund the Miss Marigold and Jr. Miss Marigold scholarships that are awarded each year. The first goal is to be able to award a $5,000 scholarship to the 2026 Miss Marigold Queen, and any additional money that is raised here will be divided up in a manner to be determined by the pageant committee on an annual basis. This is intended to be an ongoing vehicle for donations and future plans do include fund-raising for this, with the eventual hope of making the Miss Marigold pageant scholarships fully self-sustaining.
Past Miss Marigolds
1973 – Cynthia Xanos
1974 – Toni Fischer
1975 – Karen Geier
1976 – DeeDee Chitwood
1977 – Elizabeth Russell
1978 – Bobbie Narr
1979 – Lynne Oliverius
1980 – Sara Thomas
1981 – Cheryl Newton
1982 – Sarah Altman
1983 – Holly Juchems
1984 – Nancy Uphoff
1985 – Lisa Heussner
1986 – Kindra Carmichael
1987 – Angela Cramer
1988 – Ann Mazzotti
1991 – Shannon Tebben
1992 – Donna Smith
1993 – Amanda Vick
1994 – Jill Barfield
1995 – Julie Kirwin
1996 – Sarah Meinen
1997 – Tonya Schmidt
1998 – Chelsea Cunningham
1999 – Jessey Stephens
2000 – Tricia Cole
2001 – Meg Hodge
2002 – Courtney Swan
2003 – Cassie Golden
2004 – Michelle Palm
2006 – Annie White
2007 – Kaleigh Tarpley
2008 – Megan Nolan
2009 – Diane Jess
2010 – Jordan Davis
2011 – Maddi Carr
2012 – Hannah Finley
2013 – Brittany Sheerwood
2014 – Abbey Carroll
2015 – Courtney Psinas
2016 – Jordan Finnerann
2017 – Hope Tilstra
2018 – Dakota Richmond
2019 – Sara Wynn
2021 – Elisabeth Sandoval
2022 – KaitLynne Nickles
2023 – Zoe Nizzia
2024 – Sophia Vansaghi
2025 – Emma Donnelly
Miss Marigold Pageant
sponsored by:
