Get Ready To Rock
Pekin Marigold Festival
Sept. 4th-8th, 2024
THANK YOU TO
Our generous sponsors:
And our wonderful supporters
Marigold Festival Event guide
Get your official 2024 Marigold Festival event booklet today!
YOU ASKED AND WE LISTENED WE'RE BRINGING BACK SOME FAVORITES!
SEPTEMBER 4-8, 2024
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.Â
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.
Gary Gillis
2024 Pekin Marigold Festival Grand Marshal
The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Gary Gillis as the 2024 Pekin Marigold Festival Grand Marshal.
Gary is a long time Pekin resident and loves to be involved in the community. Mr. Gillis has served as a leader in a variety of ways, including the following boards and committees: United Way of Pekin, Build Pekin, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Tazewell County Unit of the American Cancer Society Board (as chair for two years), Pekin Civic Center Authority, Prison Fact-Finding Committee (as chair), Trinity Lutheran Church (one year as chair, several years on finance), Pekin Main Street (one year as president), and the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee from 1981-2017 (serving as chair for three years). Additionally, he has volunteered as an advisor for two local investment clubs.
Gary enhances our community by presenting classes, lectures, and seminars for the YWCA, Pekin Public Library, Pekin Community High School, and Tazewell County Farm Bureau. Furthermore, he presents programs to residents of Cedarhurst of Pekin several times a year, as well as for other organizations.
Miss Marigold Pageant
2024 Miss Marigold Pageant, Sponsored by Dan Pfeifer State Farm Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 7:00 PMÂ F.M. Peterson Theatre at Pekin Community High School
Purchase tickets here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/2024-miss-marigold-pageant-tickets-173916
Meet our 2024 pageant contestants, see the pageant history and purchase your tickets to this years event.
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.
Bicentennial Dragon Jam
Matt Miller Band • Revel in Red JammSammich • Backstreet Band
Friday, Sept. 6th at 6 PM - Avanti's Event Center
The Bicentennial Dragon Jam is a spectacular multi-band concert set to rock the heart of our community. “This concert is more than just music; it’s a celebration of the musical roots of our community,” said Baylee Gambetti, 2024 Pekin Marigold Festival Chairperson. “As we commemorate our bicentennial, we invite everyone to join us for a night of celebration and unity.” This is sure to be an unforgettable evening of music, fun, and community spirit. This event promises something for everyone, featuring an exciting lineup of top-tier musical acts, included the local talents of Matt Miller Band, Revel in Red, JammSammich and Back Street.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue at Mineral Springs Park. Souvenir concert t-shirts will be available at the event or pre-order below.
Marigold Festival Committee
2024 Pekin Marigold Festival Committee Members
JASON JUCHEMS • BRANDON BURLING • JOSH HAFLIGER • CARSON SMITH • CHARLES ROBERTSON • JACOB BRISBIN • KENDRA BURLING • ROSE SMITH • AMY MCCOY • SHANNON TEBBEN • TERRI GAMBETTI • MOLLY BOOK • LIBBI HILL • MEGHAN INNIS • BAYLEE GAMBETTI • AMY HASTY • AMELIA SCHUREMAN • KATELYN POWELL • VALERIE SPRINGBORN • HEATHER FERRO
Officers
VAL SPRINGBORN – CHAIRMAN ELECT
MEGHAN INNIS – VICE CHAIR
CHARLES ROBERTSON – PAST CHAIRMAN
AMY MCCOY – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
New Events
Iron Spirit Pro Wrestling
North end of Pavilion Drive
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday, September 8
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cardboard Boat Race
The much loved event is back Saturday, September 7
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM
10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Band
Pavilion Porch
Sunday, September 8
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Dirksen Center Pop-Up Museum
Artifacts from Dirksen’s Upbringing in Pekin
& The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Inside the Pavilion
Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Schedule of Events
(COMING SOON)
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 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again Sunday, September 8th 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 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again Sunday, September 8th 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.
Thursday, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday, 5 PM to 11 PM
Saturday, 11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM
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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