Pekin Marigold Festival

Pekin Marigold Festival Chair Camille McCarty made committee assignments at the November 19th committee meeting. The list below includes the event or committee, followed by the chair and co-chair. Advertising - Rose Hasler Art in the Park - Doug Godke Bags Tournament - Doug Snell, Barry Neal Marigold Booklet - Val Springborn Soda / Mugs - Amy Whiting, Greg Henderson Entertainment / New Events - Jan Becker, Val Springborn Festive Foods / Civic Collage - Todd Campbell, Greg Ranney Grow for the Gold - Julie Nelson Honoring Dirksen - Gary Gillis Info Booth - Val Springborn Kids Experience - Karen Fort, Shannon Sandoval Long Range Planning - Gary Gillis, Officers Medallion Hunt - Gary Gillis Events / Carnival - Tom Elliott Parade - Julie Nelson, Greg Ranney Park Layout & Safety - Eric White, Rich Gafford, Mike Vonderheide Public Plantings - Greg Henderson Miss Marigold Pageant - Shannon Sandoval Althea Geiser

The Pekin Marigold Festival committee met on November 19th and under new business Committee Chair Camille McCarty distributed the meeting schedule for the 2009 Festival. January 21st - 5:30pm working dinner at Holiday Inn Express February 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express March 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express April 15th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express May 20th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express June 17th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express July 8th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express July 29th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express August 19th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express September 9th - 6:30pm - Mineral Springs Park Pavilion FESTIVAL WEEKEND - September 11th, 12th and 13th September 23rd - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express October 21st - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express November 7th - Wrap-Up Party at Pekin Insurance Lodge November 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express

Dr. Timm Schwartz, President of the Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce announced at the November 12th board meeting his appointments to the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee. Reappointed to 3 year terms were Tom Elliott, Rich Gafford, Doug Godke, and Shannon Sandoval. Amy Whiting was reappointed to a 1-year term. New appointments included Karen Fort and Mike Vonderheide to 3-year terms, and Barry Neal for a 2-year term. Schwartz also appointed the following committee officers: Camille McCarty, Chair; Val Springborn, Chair-Elect; Eric White, Vice Chair; and, Greg Henderson, Past Chair.

Representatives of the Marquette Heights Mens Club accepted the traveling trophy from Dan Johnson, President of NTS Telephone Company. Their "Spook Hollow" float was selected as the overall winner by the parade judges. NTS has sponsored the Marigold Parade for several years, and this is the first year they have sponsored the traveling trophy award.

The 2008 Pekin Marigold Festival was a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who volunteered or participated. In particular, thanks to our sponsors, Ameren, CAT, CenturyTel, Jimmy Johns, MGP Ingredients, NTS Telephone Company, Pekin Insurance, Pepsi, and Aventine Renewable Energy. Finally, congratulations and thanks to Greg Henderson, this year's festival chairman, and the rest of the committee: Jan Becker, Todd Campbell, Tom Elliott, Gloria Fangmeier, Rich Gafford, Brian Garman, Gary Gillis, Doug Godke, Rose Hasler, Camille McCarty, Julie Nelson, Greg Ranney, Shannon Sandoval, Doug Snell, Val Springborn, Amy Whiting, Eric White, and Mike Vonderheide. You can see more pictures from the festival by visiting the Chamber's picture page at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

The 2008 NTS Marigold Festival Parade kicked off at 10:00am Saturday morning. It started at the corner of 14th and Broadway and proceeded downtown. The NTS Traveling Trophy, voted on by all of the judges, was given to Spook Hollow, the entry by the Marquette Heights Mens Club, which promoted their annual fund raising event. The Community Church of Christ, 1623 Market, received the NTS Parade Sponsor Award, the Chamber President’s Award and the Miss Marigold Award. The marigolds they displayed on their float were grown from the seeds they received at last year’s Marigold Festival Art in the Park. Jerry Hall gave his Grand Marshal’s Award to the District 108 Suzuki Strings. Their students performed musical selections on their float as the entry proceeded down the parade route. The Festival Chairman’s Award was given to First United Methodist Church for their “Pumpkin Patch” float which promoted their upcoming fall festival. You can see more pictures from the first few entries of the para

Pekin Main Street sponsors the Friday Night Family Fest - a great event to kick-off the Marigold Festival weekend. You can see more pictures from this event by visiting the Chamber's photo page at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Below are pictures of the winners of the Grow For The Gold Garden Contest sponsored by MGP Ingredients of Illinois. The 1st place winners were Steve & Susan Saal on South Fifth Street. Tied for 2nd place was Josh & Melissa King, on Chestnut Street, and Ben Oertle on Norwood Street. Third place went to Ruth McIntosh on Country Club Drive. The business winner was Court Place, at 230 Court Street. The MGP Grow For the Gold garden contest encourages Pekin residents and businesses to plant marigolds.

Due to the heavy rains on Thursday the carnival bracelet night was rained out. Bracelet night will now be held on Friday. The carnival is located in Mineral Springs Park, in the grassy area north of the Parkside parking lot.

The Pepsi Marigold Medallion has been found! It was found about 11:45am, almost immediately after the 9th clue was released on September 4th. It was found by Scott and Angela Jones of Pekin. They also found the Pepsi Marigold Medallion in 2002. This year they found it in some bushes near the Miller Senior Center. More information will be released later, including an explanation of the clues.

You can download a copy of the NTS Parade Line-up here: http://www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/Parade2008LineUp.pdf The parade begins at 10:00am on Saturday. Entries can start to line-up on Broadway, between 14th and Parkway, starting at 9:00am.

Congratulations to Miss Megan Nolan, who was crowned the 2008 Miss Marigold Queen. The pageant was held on Saturday, August 9th at the F. M. Peterson Theatre at Pekin Community High School. Also, congratulations to First Runner-up, Miss Jamie Morgan, and Second Runner-up, Miss Sarah Krause. Also competing for the title were Miss Rebecca Anderson, Miss Brittany Bozarth, Miss Devyn Whitmore (Community Service Award Winner) and Miss Brittney Heath (Miss Congeniality). More information and pictures are posted on our picture web page at: http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

Information and registration forms are now available for the Friday Night Family Fest Lip Sync Contest, sponsored by Pekin Main Street and Herget Bank. You can pick up the information at the chamber office, or you can download a copy here: http://www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/LipSyncEntryForm2008.pdf

The Rockettes will be at the Marigold Festival on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00pm. They will be in Pekin to promote the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes" which will be held in November at the Peoria Civic Center. They will be available on the Pavilion porch to sign autographs and pose for photos, and perhaps give a demo. They will also participate in a Question & Answer session at 3:30pm in the Pavilion.

The Marigold Festival Queen Pageant will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 7:00 pm. The pageant will be in the FM Peterson Theatre at Pekin Community High School. The seven outstanding contestants are: Rebecca Anderson, Brittany Bozarth, Brittney Heath, Sarah Krause, Jamie Morgan, Megan Nolan and Devyn Whitmore. Please plan to attend and encourage all of the contestants. (Thanks to Jessica Potts for the photography).

Plans have been announced for the Pekin Marigold Festival Little Mr. and Little Miss Marigold Pageant. Information and entry forms are available at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, 402 Court Street, or you can load one here: http://www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/LittleMissMrApp.pdf The pageant will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, August 24th at the Dragons Dome. Entry deadline is August 9th. (The date was incorrectly listed as August 17th on earlier versions of the application.) Competition will be held in several different age groups for both boys and girls. Registration is $45. Admission to the pageant is $5, with children free.