MarigoldFestival
By: Kayla Charvat, Brittany Arnold, Ben Becker,Shawn Scott,& Chris Mulvaney


Marigold      The Marigold Festival was held at the park in Pekin Illimois .  The Marigold Festival started September 10 and ended the 12th.  One of the events was the Miss Marigold Pageant.  One of the girls competing was  Michelle Davison. She is 18 years old. She goes to school at St. Louis University. And her talent is making up skits and dancing.
     Marnie Golden was the second person to compet . She is 17 years old. She goes to Eureka College. Her talent is singing.
     Nicoli Haller was the third person to compet. She is 16 years old. She goes to Pekin Community 
 High School. Her talent is comedy. 
     Renne Martin was the fourth to compet. She is 18 years old. She goes to Pekin Community High School. Her talent is dancing. 
     Brooke Sheetz was the fifth person named. She is 16 years old. She goes to school at Pekin Community High School. Her talent is monologue.
     Jessey Stephens was the sixth person to be named. She is 18 years old. She goes to school at Pekin Community High School. Her talent is singing. Jessey was the happy winner.
     Meghan Zimmerman was the seventh person to be named. She is 19 years old. She goes to school at Illinois Central College. Her talent is singing.
     Another event on the weekend was the dunk tank. The Pekin Elks Lodge ran the both. It cost $1.00 for three throws.
    Sand Volleyball was sponsorerd by Professional Therapy Service, Dr. David Kuban, Papa John’s Pizza, Monicals Pizza and, Parkside Athletics. This was held at Mineral Springs Park on Saturday September 11th. The tournament director was Doug Anderson.
     The  Petting Zoo is a fun- for- children event  that has been going on for 7 years. Some of the animals to be petted there are baby chicks and small donkeys.
    Another event was the Friday Family Fun Fest.  It has been going on since 1985. Downtown Business Association in Central Pekin held it.
 A very popular event is Art in the Park. This event was sponsored by Marigold Festival Committee on both sides of Pavilion Road by the lagoon. This event gives local, state, and national artists and crafters an opportunity to display and sell hand crafted products. Art in the Park began in 1972. It was held by Tazwell County Courthouse. In the past 25 years participants have increased to over 375 crafters.
     A very fun place to go is The Carnival on Broadway. Held by the Marigold Festival Committee and CDAC Inc. It was held on Thursday, September, 9th, thru September the 12th. The place where all families can enjoy themselves is the Family Night at the carnival.  It was held Thursday September 9th at 5:30-9:30. The bracelets cost $7.00 per person for unlimited rides.
     The family thing to do is the Mini Medallion Hunt.  The hunt is for children of all ages. Coins can be redeemed for cool prizes. 
     Pepsi medallion hunt is bigger than the mini one. It is all over the town. The grand prize for finding the medallion is a five day and four nights trip for two to Cancun ,Mexico.
     The game people love to play is Chess Tournament. The Pekin Park District put on a blitz chess tournaments at the pavilion lagoon. The contestants get 5 minutes playing time.
     People who love to climb could try the climbing wall the newest event this year. It’s a 23 foot wall resembling real rocks. This wall is an extension of Upper Limits Climbing Gym.
     A concert with the hottest singers was at the Pekin stadium on Saturday night. Bryan White and the Kentucky Head Hunters were headlined. Tickets cost $10 each concert.
     Come and see the hottest cars in Pekin. This event was hosted by Mid Illinois Corvette Club. There is a $10 car entry fee and $8 in advance. Over 250 dreams have been granted locally.
     The 3 on 3 Basketball games went on for the fun of people. Pekin High Band Boosters hosted the 10th annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The tournament has grown from 50 teams that entered 1990 to the present 248 teams. It costs $70 for registration fee per team. 
     To the people who don’t know how to get out of the house in case of a fire for the 7th year Pekin Firefighters Local 524, held a Safe Escape House at Minerals Springs Park from 11am to 5pm.Ambulance Services are out watching so no one will get hurt. Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois will provide ambulance service for the Marigold Festival. They will have Paramedics and EMT’s available. 
     Marching Music to Dancing Girls and Spinning Batons,the parade, started at Broadway by Mineral Springs Park past 14th Street and move to Court Street by PCHS West Campus. 
     Take a ride with the Pekin Park Bus. CEFCU and the Pekin Hospital Progressive Health System will provide free transportation around the park during the Festival.
     The 1999 Grand Marshall is Ernest Cretaro. He was the pool manager of the Pekin Park District. Ernest was a true example of a role model. Ernest moved to Pekin fifty-one years ago and is a World War 2 veteran. He and his wife were leading the parade. 
     I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream! For all you ice cream lovers out there The Kiwanis Club of Pekin served hand dipped ice cream cones, rootbeer floats, sundaes, and cups of ice cream on both Saturday and Sunday. 
     For all you Gospel lovers out there the Pekin Coalition for Equality  sponsored entertainment provided by five young gospel singers in the group Shalom. 
     So now you know a lot about the Marigold Festival. Those things that we named are only some of the very exciting events that happen at the Marigold Festival. For those who don’t go to the Festival I hope this encourages you to go because you’re missing out on a lot of fun!

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