The Marigold Festival began in 1972 as a way to honor one of Pekin's favorite sons, Senator Everett Dirksen.  While in Congress, Senator Dirksen tried to make the marigold the national flower.  In support of Dirksen, the community began growing marigolds.  
     While Dirksen was unsuccessful in his efforts to make the marigold the national flower, his hometown of Pekin soon became known as the Marigold Capital of the World.     
     Over the years the Marigold Festival has grown from a small event around the courthouse in downtown Pekin to a community-wide festival that attracts over 100,000 people over a number of days and locations.  The first festival included an art fair and boxing matches!  Past festivals have also included such unique events as cow pie bingo and a Cardboard Boat Regatta.
     The current festival lineup includes the NTS Marigold Festival Parade, the Friday Night Family Fest, the Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt, the AmerenCILCO Entertainment Stage, Gallatin River Communications "Kids' Experience", Pekin Insurance Miss Marigold Pageant and "Art in the Park."
     The only food available at the first festival was an ice cream social. Today there is still an ice cream social, AND just about every other kind of food imaginable, from dippin' dots to funnel cakes to pork chop sandwiches.  And all of the food vendors are non-profit organizations, raising money for their programs.
     The Marigold Festival involves the entire community and is organized by the Marigold Festival Committee.  This group of volunteers meets year round to plan the fun and excitement.  The Marigold Festival is held on the first weekend after Labor Day.

Marigold Festival Committee

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2007 Marigold Festival Events, Activities, and Attractions

September 7th, 8th, and 9th

                 

   
     

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Click the link below to see the schedule at a glance, or continue reading below for more information on all of the events.

2007 Schedule of Events

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AmerenCILCO FREE Entertainment Stage
The Marigold Festival Committee is excited to bring popular entertainment to the weekend, sponsored by AmerenCILCO.  On Saturday, September 8th from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm and Sunday, September 9th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm the free entertainment stage is packed full of enjoyment.  The stage is located north of the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon. 

• Jim Markum Swing Band (right) will entertain you with their "big band" sound.  The band consists of 10 very talented musicians from the Tri-County area who will whisk you back to the music of the 'swing-era'.  Bring your partner and dance in the aisles on Saturday, September 8th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
• Boulder CO is a group of 6 friends who play independent rock in an inventive and fun way. The band has played in Chicago, Champaign, St. Louis, Nashville and Indianapolis with bands The Forecast and The Graduate. Having just performed at the Cornerstone Festival, Boulder CO is looking forward to making your ears smile with music even your mom would enjoy. Catch this exciting band Saturday, September 8th from 2:30 to 3:15 pm.
• Backstreet is a local band that has been on the music scene for 22 years. This group of very talented musicians plays a mix of oldies, classic rock, top 40 and even a few country tunes. Members of the band are: Jed Antonini, Julie Antonini, Jill Cagle, Jeff Selberg and Curt Smith. They will be performing Saturday, September 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
• Sunday, September 9th from 10:00 to 11:30 am, you are invited to attend the Community Worship Gathering, a multi-denominational group gathering to worship God together. Join your neighbors for this special time. This year Fusion will be leading the service. Fusion is a Teen Center in downtown Pekin that provides a safe and fun place for everyone between the ages of 12 and 19 to gather. The center provides an internet cafe, game room, skate park, r/c racing track, sports complex and concert stage. Every Wednesday services, that are built for teenagers, are held with live music, videos, and illustrated messages to help with the connection to God.
• Sunday, September 9th, from 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm is the time to have fun with Friends in Harmony. This singing ensemble from Pekin, is pleased to sing at this year's Marigold Festival. Formed in the fall of 2006, the group is composed of residents from the Pekin/Peoria area. They provide musical entertainment for a variety of community groups and sing gospel, pop, Broadway and easy listening. They look forward to their second Christmas benefit for the Pekin United Way.
• Royce Elliott will entertain on Sunday, September 9th from 1:00 to 1:45 pm.  Royce is billed as America's funniest clean comedian.  He has opened for such stars as Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis, Bobby Vinton, the Catlin Brothers, the Statler Brothers and many others. He has left them laughing from Las Vegas to Atlantic City to Branson.
• Sunday, September 9th, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm is the time to enjoy the Pekin 1st Assembly of God Sanctuary Worship Choir. Under the direction of Pastor Mark Dexter, the group will provide a concert of inspirational gospel music. With special guest soloists John and Ramona Wilson from the Calvary Temple in South Bend, Indiana, this group of 35 artists will share and uplifting message in song.
• Saving Grace will be appearing Sunday, September 9th, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm for your entertainment. This praise and worship band has been in existence for 2 years and provides contemporary music for 2 church services a month at Grace United Methodist Church of Pekin.

At the Mineral Springs Park Pavilion - The Marigold Festival is proud to welcome William "The Refrigerator" Perry.  The 1985 1st round draft pick by the Chicago Bears was chosen for his abilities on the defensive line. He was tapped by Coach Ditka to play offense in Super Bowl XX. Not only did he score a touchdown but countless fans embraced him. Perry's career spanned 9 seasons in the NFL, and included not only the Super Bowl appearance but also many trips to the Pro Bowl. He has been retired from the game for 8 years but remains active making endorsements, commercials and personal appearances. "The Fridge" will be riding in the NTS Marigold Parade at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 8th, and will later be seen at the Park Pavilion. From 1:00 to 3:30 pm he will sign autographs and will then have a Question and Answer time from 3:30 to 4:00 pm. On Sunday, September 9th, he will sign autographs from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

"Wise Guise" is an A Capella vocal group that will entertain you with their wonderful and diverse musical selections again this year. On Saturday, September 8th from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, they will be strolling the Art in the Park area and from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, they will be located on the Pavilion porch. Thank you to AmerenCILCO for sponsoring this group.

As a Pekin resident and 2006 graduate of PCHS, Ryan Graves has been playing music for several years. He was formerly involved with groups such as Shade Tree and Reachout and is now expanding upon his talents as a solo singer, songwriter, and musician. Earlier this year, he completed work on his first CD, pulling skills from his coursework as a multimedia major at ICC to do everything from writing, recording and producing the music to designing the album art. While he has no plans to abandon school or work, Ryan says he wouldn't mind seeing his music take him places someday. Ryan will perform on the Pavilion Porch, Saturday, September 8th from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.  AmerenCILCO is also sponsoring Ryan.

Art in the Park - Over 350 booths with thousands of arts and crafts.  This is the show that draws vendors and buyers from all over the Midwest.  Check out the Marigold Festival program booklet for a map with the location of your favorite art or craft!  Booklets will be available at area merchants and at the information booth in the gazebo during the festival.  Art in the Park hours:  Saturday, September 8th, 9:00am to 6:00pm; Sunday, September 9th, 9:00am to 5:00pm.  Do you have quality, home-made arts and crafts to sell?  Contact the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, 346-2106, for information about booth space at Art in the Park.

Bags Tournament - NEW this year at the Marigold Festival hosted by Fusion. The object of this fast growing sport is to get you "bag" into the opposition's hole. Doubles teams will be able to play in two separate age division. The competition will be held on Diamond #1 in Mineral Springs Park on Saturday, September 8th from 9:00am to 1:00pm for 18 & up; 1:00 to 5:00pm is for the 12-17 year division. The cost is $15.00 per team.  Register your team for the tournament at 9:00am on Diamond #1.

"Bus With Us" Shuttle - Free transportation around Mineral Springs Park during the Marigold Festival is provided by CEFCU and Pekin Hospital.  The festival map in the program booklet shows the "Bus With Us" route and stops.  "Bus With Us" will run on Saturday, September 8th from 10:00am to 5:00pm and on Sunday, September 9th from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Take advantage of the FREE transportation around the park during the festival!!!

Carnival - It's fun for the entire family.  Come out and enjoy the Pekin Marigold Festival Carnival, sponsored by the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee.  The carnival will be located in Mineral Springs Park, in the grassy area north of the Parkside parking lot.  Thursday is bracelet night - pay $13.00 for unlimited rides.
The carnival hours:

• Thursday, September 6th, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
• Friday, September 7th, 5:00pm to 11:30pm
• Saturday, September 8th, 11:00am to 11:00pm
• Sunday, September 9th, 11:00am to 5:00pm

Civic Collage - A collection of informational and fundraising booths, Civic Collage is located between the popcorn stand and Art in the Park, on the east side of Pavilion Road.  Civic Collage is open on Saturday, September 8th from 9:00am to 6:00pm and on Sunday, September 9th from 9:00am to 5:00pm.  The latest list of exhibitors includes:  American Association of University Women, Illinois Army National Guard/Lincoln Challenge, Illinois Secretary of State, Parkway Christian Church, Tazewell County Democrats, Tazewell County Republicans, and Pekin Bible Church.

Festive Foods - The Marigold Festival takes great pride in offering the food concessions to non-profit organizations.  For many of these groups, this is their biggest fund raising event of the year.  Most of the Festive Food booths are located in Mineral Springs Park, across Pavilion Road between the pavilion and ball diamond #1.  Festive Foods is open Saturday, September 8th from 9:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, September 9th from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Friday Night Family Fest - Kickoff the Marigold Festival weekend with the Friday Night Family Fest sponsored by Pekin Main Street.  There will be lots of food, lots of fun and one of Pekin's favorite Marigold events - the Lip Sync Contest. (Click here to download a Lip Sync Registration Form).  Bring your lawn chairs and your appetite and be ready for a great night of family fun! Friday Night Family Fest is held on Friday, September 7th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm around the courthouse square in historic downtown Pekin.  Pictures from the 2007 event are available on our photo page at:  http://www.picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Fun for the whole family at the Mineral Springs Kiddie Corral area:

Marigold Park Jam MPJ6 - Pekin Park District's 5th Bike, Board & Blade Competition.  This again promises to be an entertaining family fun event!  It will be held at the Pekin Park District Skate Park in Mineral Springs Park.  There will be a $10 entry fee and competition in three levels: beginner, intermediate, and expert.  Competition will be held Saturday, September 8th from 9:00am to 6:00pm.  Register in the Recreation Office of the park.  Competition judges and emcee will be Little Ade's team of experts who will be judging flow, creativity, difficulty & execution.

Pekin Insurance Miss Marigold Pageant - The "Miss Marigold" Pageant began in 1973 and continues to be a highlight of the Pekin Marigold Festival celebration.  It is an opportunity for young women to compete in the categories of talent, personal interview, sportswear, and evening gown in order to win scholarship money.  The pageant is open to single women who are 17-21 years old and who live or work in the city of Pekin.  

The 2007 pageant was held on July 21st at Pekin Community High School.  The contestants were:  Bryn Golden, Jeana Ingolia, Tia Logan, Jamie Morgan, JoElle Schramm and Kaleigh Tarpley.

Congratulations to Miss Congeniality, Jeana Ingolia; 2nd Runner-up, Jamie Morgan; 1st Runner-up Bryn Golden; and, Miss Marigold 2007, Kaleigh Tarpley.  To see pictures from the pageant go to:  http://www.pekin.net/MarigoldQueen.htm

Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt - Approximately two weeks before the Marigold Festival, a medallion is hidden somewhere on public property in or around Pekin.  Thought-provoking, clever and cunning clues to the whereabouts are released.  The public then begins the hunt by interpreting the double meaning of the clues.  Each clue gets more descriptive and as people begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle, more and more sleuths and detectives join in the hunt.  Since 1977 this event has been enjoyed by young and old, individuals and families. Come join in the fun and prove your detective skills.  The person who finds the medallion will receive an exciting grand prize.  This year's first clue will be released on Monday,August 27th.  Click here to read the clues and the explanations.

Public Planting ~ Marigold Flower Beds The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee works with area businesses and non-profit organizations to continue the marigold tradition.  The City of Pekin's appearance is enhanced by the beautiful beds of marigolds and complimenting flowers.  This year's flower beds were sponsored by:  Dr. Sumer/ICPR; Illinois & Midland Railroad; Pekin Masonic Lodge #29; Pekin 1st; Pekin Township; Second Reformed Church; Sunset Plaza; and, VFW Post #1232.  Special thanks to the City of Pekin employees, and the many other volunteers that help to make Pekin the Marigold Capital of the World!!  Enjoy!

Sand Volleyball Tournament - Come join in the fun and participate in the Pekin Marigold Festival Sand Volleyball Tournament presented by Parkside Athletics.  Matches will be held in the Mineral Springs Park on Saturday, September 8th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Rain date, Sunday, September 9th. Divisions are Competitive Volleyball on sand and Recreational Volleyball on Grass. More information and entry forms are available at Parkside Athletics.

The Pekin Archery Club - Another NEW Event - On Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th, the Pekin Archery Club will sponsor an Archery Exhibition in Ball Diamond #1 at the festival. Club members will be available to provide instruction on how to properly handle a bow and arrow. This activity is open to children and adults.