Pekin Marigold Festival

The Marigold Festival Committee is pleased to announce American Legion Baseball is sponsoring this year's 5K run/walk on Saturday, September 12th, at 8:00am in Coal Miners Park. Since 1925, the American Legion has sponsored a nationwide youth baseball program. During these past eight decades, millions of young players have enjoyed playing baseball. The American Legion and their 2.8 million members have raised millions of dollars each year for players to develop their skills and personal fitness; to learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, leadership and good sportsmanship; and to have fun. You can download an application at: http://www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/09-5kRun.pdf

The Little Miss & Mister Marigold Pageant will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009, with the doors opening at noon, and the pageant beginning at 1:00pm at the Pekin Dragons Dome. There will be a break at 3:00pm for a cake reception. 'Unique Twist' Balloons will be making creations for the kids and there will be entertainment on the stage. Proceeds from the pageant will benefit Easter Seals, with the check to be presented on the Easter Seals Telethon by the winners.

This year the Marigold Festival Committee is proud to crown our 34th Miss Marigold Queen. Beginning in 1973, the Miss Marigold Pageant has become a long-standing tradition of recognizing talented and bright young women with a chance to represent our community during the Marigold Festival weekend and throughout the year. We are especially proud of the pageant's focus on scholarship and in an effort to further recognize that commitment, this year's Queen scholarship has been doubled to $2,000 in an effort to better keep pace with the ever-increasing cost of higher education. Also for the first time this year, contestants will be scored on their personal commitment to community service and involvement as part of the overall pageant scoring. This will also be the second year a separate Community Service scholarship has been awarded to one of the contestants. So who will be Miss Marigold 2009? Join us at 7:00pm on Saturday, August 8th at the F.M. Peterson Theater at Pekin Community

The Marigold Festival Committee is excited to bring popular entertainment to the weekend, sponsored by Ameren Illinois Utilities. On Saturday, September 12th from 11:30 pm to 6:00 pm and Sunday, September 13th from 11:00 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 will entertain you with their "big band" sound. The group consists of 10 very talented musicians from the Tri-County area who will whisk you back to the music of the 'swing-era'. From the golden oldies to the modern sounds of pop, jump, swing and blues, this band can play them all. Bring your partner and dance in the aisles on Saturday, September 12th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Laura Clark is a singer/songwriter originally from Peoria, Il, now residing near St. Louis. No stranger to the stage, she served as worship leader at Riverside Community Church in downtown Peoria for over 5 years which ser

Click the picture above to see a larger version, or download the flyer at: www.pekin.net/Photos/MarigoldPix/TopDog.pdf

The Marigold Festival Committee is now meeting every 3 weeks, as the annual festival draws closer. The committee of volunteers meets year round to plan the details of the festival. They also have a hands-on leadership role in the many events leading up to and throughout the festival weekend.