Pekin Marigold Festival

The Marigold Festival began in 1972 as a way to honor one of Pekin's favorite sons, Senator Everett Dirksen. While in Congress, Dirksen tried to make the marigold the national flower. 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. The Marigold Festival is held on the first weekend after Labor Day.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Committee Member Honored

Congratulations to Camille McCarty who was recognized at the 27th Annual Women's Recognition Day Luncheon on May 9th. The YWCA of Pekin honored her in the Arts category. Camille has served on the Marigold Festival Committee since October of 2000 and will chair the 2009 festival. She is employed as a teacher and technology coordinator at Pekin School District 108.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 2:02 PM

Wise Guise To Perform At Marigold Festival

This group of 8 men has been providing a cappella doo wop music to Central Illinois for over 10 years. During that time they have entertained crowds from Wrigley Field to the State’s Capitol. Frequently seen singing the National Anthem for the Peoria Chiefs, Peoria Rivermen and the Chicago Cubs, they have also been featured at local festivals and fundraising events. This group combines its love for music and the joy of great harmonies with its desire to provide an entertaining variety of songs that people of all ages can enjoy.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 11:04 AM

NASCAR Comes to Marigold Festival

Come see Richard Childress Racing’s
No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
that was driven by
seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion
Dale Earnhardt
The No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo of Richard Childress Racing became synonymous with success and championships in NASCAR racing. Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress Racing earned 43 of their 67 victories and four of their seven championships together in the famed No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet is still one of the most recognizable race cars in the world.

The No.3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo from Richard Childress Racing will be on display at the Pekin Marigold Festival on Saturday, September 6th and Sunday, September 7th.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 10:53 AM

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Marigold Committee Making Plans

The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee continued their planning of the 2008 festival at their April meeting. The Chamber committee meets year-round to plan the festival that is traditionally held the weekend after Labor Day. This year's festival will be on September 5th, 6th, and 7th.


At the April meeting the date was set for the Marigold Festival Queen Pageant. It will be held on Saturday, August 9th at Pekin Community High School. Contestant applications should be available by the late April or early May. The committee also heard a report on a new event for this year - a cornhole/bags tournament, sponsored by Jimmy John's.

The committee is continuing their plans of many other events, and hope to announce the entertainment schedule soon. Pekin residents are encouraged to plant and grow marigolds this year and to participate in the "Grow for the Gold" photo contest. Photos from last year will be on display at the Pekin Public Library during the month of May.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 9:27 AM

Monday, March 3, 2008

Art in the Park Applications

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the 2008 Pekin Marigold Festival's Art in teh Park. The Marigold Festival is an excellent opportunity for you to sell YOUR HANDMADE crafts and fine arts to thousands of attendees.

The park provides a beautiful setting and people from across the Midwest come to enjoy the festival each year. With entertainment throughout the weekend and food from local organizations, it is truly a first-class event.

The Pekin Marigold Festival is held the weekend after Labor Day. This year's festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th, 2008.

If you are interested in participating, please call the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, (309) 346-2106, and request an application packet. Or you can download an application by clicking here: http://www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/2008artApp.pdf. Completed applications require pictures of the handmade items you wish to sell and you must sign a letter verifying that all of your products are handmade.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 3:45 PM

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Committee Meeting Schedule

The Pekin Marigold Festival is held the weekend following Labor Day. The committee meeting schedule for the 2008 festival is as follows:

November 20, 2007 - 7:00pm - Holiday Inn Express
January 16, 2008 - 5:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
February 20, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
March 19, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
April 23, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
May 21, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
June 18, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
July 9, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
July 30, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
August 20, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
September 3, 2008 - 6:30pm - Pavilion
September 5, 6, 7, 2008 - Pekin Marigold Festival
September 17, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
October 15, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
November 19, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 5:13 PM

Committee Assignments Made

Chairman Greg Henderson announced the committee assignments for the 2008 festival. The appointments were made at the November 20th committee meeting. The November meeting is typically the first meeting of the festival year.

The committee assignments for 2008 are:

  • 5k Race - Andy Weinberg
  • Advertising - Rose Hasler
  • AmerenCILCO Entertainment Stage - Val Springborn, Jan Becker
  • Art in the Park - Doug Godke, Jan Becker
  • Jimmy John's Marigold Festival Bags Tournament - Doug Snell
  • Booklet - Camille McCarty
  • Civic Collage - Todd Campbell, Andy Weinberg
  • Commemorative Mugs/Coke Booths - Julie Nelson, Gloria Fangmeier
  • Events - Tom Elliott
  • Gallatin River Kids Experience - Shannon Sandoval, Denise Rogers
  • Honoring Dirksen - Gary Gillis, Camille McCarty
  • Info Booth - Camille McCarty
  • Long Range Planning - Gary Gillis
  • MGP Grow for the Gold - Julie Nelson
  • Miss Marigold Pageant - Amy Whiting, Shannon Sandoval
  • New Events - Val Springborn, Jan Becker
  • NTS Marigold Parade - Greg Ranney, Amy Whiting
  • Park Safety & Layout - Eric White, Brian Garman, Mike Vonderheide
  • Pekin Insurance Festive Foods - Todd Campbell, Andy Weinberg
  • Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt - Gary Gillis
  • Public Plantings - Denise Rogers, Greg Ranney

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 5:07 PM

New Committee Members Announced

At the November 20th meeting of the Marigold Festival Committee, Chairman Greg Henderson introduced two new members of the Marigold Festival Committee. The new members were appointed to 3-year terms by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce President Peggy Collins.

Shannon Sandoval, from Tebben Insurance Services, is a former Miss Marigold and has been an volunteer with the pageant the past several years.

Denise Rogers volunteered with at the 2007 festival, assisting with the William "The Refrigerator" Perry appearances. She is employed by Busey Bank and is a Chamber Ambassador.

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 4:54 PM

Thursday, September 20, 2007

2007 Festival Recap

The 2007 Marigold Festival was a huge success. The 2008 Marigold Festival will be September 5th, 6th, and 7th. It's always the weekend after Labor Day. Click the link below to see pictures from the 2007 festival.

2007 Pekin Main Street Friday Night Family Fest pix
2007 NTS Marigold Festival Parade pictures
2007 Marigold Festival pictures
2007 Pepsi Marigold Medallion Clues and Explanations
2007 Inaugural Women's Marigold Festival Golf Outing Results
2007 Marigold Festival Booklet (Large file)
2007 Pekin Insurance Miss Marigold Pageant pictures

Posted by Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 8:56 PM
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