2010 Marigold Festival Grand Marshall.

The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee is happy to announce Ken White as the 2010 Marigold Festival Grand Marshall. He has been a resident of the Pekin community for nearly 40 years. Ken was introduced to the Pekin community when he began his career at Pekin Insurance Company. In 2009, Ken retired from Pekin Insurance after spending 38 years with the company.


Ken has been involved with numerous civic organizations. Ken served the United Way of Pekin as a board member, campaign chair and president. To this date, he continues to serve as a division chair during the campaign for funds. Ken has also served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Prevention of Abuse and the Girls Scouts of America Kickapoo Council. He has also been a long time blood/platelet donor to the American Red Cross. Ken is a past president of the Pekin Noteables Parents Group and also serves on the Board of the Pekin Civic Chorus recently completing his 7th show, in which he is a performer and helps with stage construction. He is also an active member of the Pekin Rotary Club.

One of Ken’s favorite activities is playing Santa Claus in and around the Pekin community. Ken has served as Santa Claus for Pekin Insurance employees and their families for over 20 years. Ken has also served as Santa Claus for the United Way Home Tour, Center for Prevention of Abuse, Salvation Army Day Care, St Jude, as well as Pekin area grade schools and churches.

Ken and his wife Debbie are the parents of two children Eric (Andrea) White of Groveland and Kendra (Brandon) Burling of Pekin. They have 4 grandchildren. Ken is a reserved person and seeks no public limelight but yet is always willing to serve his community in any way, including as Grand Marshall of the 2010 Pekin Marigold Festival.

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