show your team spirit!
PEKIN MARIGOLD FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 3-7th, 2025
This year’s Pekin Marigold Festival is bringing the spirit like never before with the theme: Marigold Pep Rally: Team Spirit! Packed with Pekin pride, mascots, parade, marching bands, and more – don’t miss the hype!
EVENT DISPLAY
July 10 – September 7
Per the State of IL Guidelines
$25
a set
Calling all Vendors...
The 2025 Pekin Marigold Festival Art in the Park will take place Saturday, September 6, from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday, September 7, from 9 am to 5 pm.
All registrations close on August 1, 2025.
NEW VENDORS
An excellent opportunity for you to sell HANDMADE crafts and arts to thousands of attendees.
RETURNING VENDORS
Those vending in 2022, 2023, or 2024 may remit pament to secure your booth space(s).
Marigold
FESTIVAL PARADE
Saturday, September 6th — 10:00 AM
A Marigold Festival Tradition, beginning at 14th and Broadway and continuing downtown to Capitol St.
MISS Marigold
2025 Miss Marigold Pageant, Sponsored by Dan Pfeifer State Farm
Saturday, August 9th, 2025 at 7:00 PM
F.M. Peterson Theatre at Pekin Community High School
Purchase tickets here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/2025-miss-marigold-pageant-tickets-219297
Meet our 2025 pageant contestants, see the pageant history and purchase your tickets to this years event.
SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2025
PEKIN MARIGOLD FESTIVAL
The Marigold Festival began in the 1973 to honor Pekin native, Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen. The Senator played an influential role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and it is with great pleasure the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce continues to hold the festival in his honor.
While in Congress, Dirksen championed the cause to make the marigold the national floral emblem. While unsuccessful in his efforts, his hometown of Pekin became known as the Marigold Capital of the World. The Pekin Marigold Festival is held annually on the first weekend after Labor Day.
The festival has grown to showcase area businesses, community outreach programs, and serves as a fundraising platform for area non-profits.
Marigold Merchandise
Get your official 2025 Marigold Merchandise!
Merchandise tent will be available during the festival, and at the Chamber office prior to the festival. Merchandise online releases will be posted to Facebook each month throughout the summer.
MISS MARIGOLD PAGEANT
The Miss Marigold Pageant focuses on awarding a $3,000 scholarship to savvy, goal oriented, aware young women from our community. Contestants will compete in the areas of interview, community service, on-stage question, talent and evening gown.
MARIGOLD GOLF OUTING
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host the Marigold Golf Outing! Join us for an afternoon of fun, networking and fellowship. Prizes will be awarded. Mulligans available. Get your foursome together and plan to join us!
JIMMY JOHN'S MARIGOLD MEDALLION HUNT
"A Community Obsession". Every year at the end of August, Pekin's amateur detectives and determined sleuths prepare for the Pekin Marigold Festival Medallion Hunt.
ART IN THE PARK
Likely the most anticipated event of the Marigold Festival, Art in the Park returns this year with a vendor line up that is sure to keep you excited through every turn!
Shop Saturday, September 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again Sunday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
MARIGOLD FESTIVAL PARADE
A Marigold Festival Tradition, beginning at 14th and Broadway and continuing downtown to Capitol St.
FESTIVE FOODS
Did you know Festive Foods is actually a fundraising event? All of our Festive Food vendors are nonprofit organizations. We're returning this event to the grassy area near the Royal Ave Shelter. Shop Saturday, September 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again Sunday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CARNIVAL
That's right! The carnival is also returning for all four days of the festival with a bracelet night kick-off. The carnival is located West of the Arena.
SOUVENIR MUGS & SODA STATIONS
Grab a cold drink and a souvenir mug at the soda stations located in Art in the Park. Show your mug to any station and receive a discounted price on refills!
CHALK WALK
Walk along the Mineral Springs Lagoon and see our area artists at work! This newer event has chalk drawings from all age groups and boasts a not-to-miss display of talent.
LAGOON GLOW
This demonstration is nostalgic and where #marigoldmemories are made. The Lagoon Glow will have lanterns available for purchase during the festival. Write a memory or wish on your lantern, or honor a loved one. The lanterns will be cast into the lagoon at dusk.
KIDS EXPERIENCE
Come check out the coolest place for kids in the park! With activities, freebies and more. The fun starts at noon and lasts until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. This is a free event for children 10 and under.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Standing alongside Art in the Park, Community Spotlight showcases services and groups within the Pekin area that offer outreach initiatives, nonprofit services and more. Check out how these business and organizations serve our communities!
Did you know...
The first Marigold Festival was held in 1973 to honor Pekin's favorite son, Everett McKinley Dirksen.
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