Pekin Marigold Festival

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.