Pekin Marigold Festival

The first clue was realeased today at noon!  Be sure to check our Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt Blog for the latest clues.  Happy Hunting! 

There are still openings, especially in the junior, pre-teen, and intermediate divisions for the... Friday Night Family Fest Lip Sync Contest, A Pekin Main Street Event Friday, September 10th, 2010 7:00 pm - Downtown Pekin (Intersection of Capitol & Elizabeth) The application is available on the Pekin Area Chamber Website.  For more information, call 353-3100

Civic Collage offers a collection of informational and fundraising booths. Civic Collage is located between the popcorn stand and Art in the Park, on the east side of Pavilion Road. The vendors will be open on Saturday, September 11th from 9:00am to 6:00pm and on Sunday, September 12th from 9:00am to 5:00pm.  Stop by to visit this years Civic Collage vendors: ~ American Association of University Women, Pekin Area Branch ~ Grace Baptist Church ~ PCHS Swim & Dive Booster Club ~ Pekin Cheerleading Booster Club ~ Pekin Hospital League ~ Pekin Lil Lettes ~ Second Reform Church ~ Tazewell Animal Protective Society (TAPS) ~ Tazewell County Democrats ~ Tazewell County Republican Party ~ Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy ~ WBNH Radio

Congratulations to our 2010 Grow For The Gold Winners! Thank you to all that participated and/or nominated local flower beds. Residential~ 1st Place, $100 - Harriett Arlington, 1408 Lincoln 2nd Place, $50 - Ruth McIntosh, 413 Country Club 3rd Place, $25 - Josh King, 914 Chestnut Business~ 1st Place, $75 - Kiwanis

Congratulations to Jordan Davis, who was named Miss Marigold 2010 at the August 14th pageant. Haley Lower was first runner-up, and Karson Orrick was named second runner-up. Congratulations and thanks to the sponsors, committee, and volunteers for a great show. And congratulations to the Queen's Court: Megan Bernier, Laura Williams, Marjorie Miller, Linsy Morgan, Rose Wurster, Brittney Heath, Kylie Nadeau, and Leah Anderson.  See over 100 photos from the pageant at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber/MissMarigoldQueenPageant

Check out the photos from the rehearsal for the 2010 Miss Marigold Queen Pageant.  The 35th Queen will be crowned tonight, August 14th at Pekin Community High School's F.M. Peterson Theater.  Doors open at 6:30pm and the show begins at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $5 at the door.  Rehearsal pictures can be found at:    http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber/MissMarigoldQueenPageantRehearsal

5:30 - 9:30 pm    4-H Shelter Area

2010 Little Miss & Mr  Marigold Pageant was held Sunday, August 1st, at the Avanti’s Dome in Pekin. The contestants were to walk onto the stage, smile and wave to the judges and the audience. Contestants were judged on facial beauty, smile, and overall appearance. The Little Miss contestants were divided into seven age groups: Baby Miss, 0-18 months; Tiny Miss, 19-35 months; Petite Miss, 3 years; Petite Miss, 4 years; Little Miss, 5-6; Junior Miss, 7-9; and Pre-Teen, 10 and up. The Little Mr contestants age groups included: Baby Mr., 0-2 years; Tiny Mr., 3-5 years; Little Mr., 6-7 and up. Other contests included 10th Anniversary Queen and the Ultimate Queen. The winners will represent Pekin during the Pekin Marigold Festival in September. Read more of the article published by Pekin Daily Times at the following link: Littlest beauties crowned at pageant - Pekin, IL - Pekin Daily Times

Pekin's Next Top Dog, Preliminaries were held Tuesday August 3rd, at the Pekin Park Arena. The winners of each contest, chosen by audience applause will proceed as contestants to become Pekin's Next Top Dog. The finals will be held Sunday, September 12th, 3:00pm (A Marigold Festival Event), near the Dog Park in Mineral Springs Park. Congratulations to the following - Pekin’s Next Top Dog preliminary winners • Biggest Dog — Lambeau, Great Dane (Gary France) • Most Beautiful — Memphis, Australian shepherd (Tricia Swonger) and Ruby, pug (Haven Wehmeier) • Tiniest — BooBoo, Dachshund (Chad and Lisa Holland) • Curliest Tail — Little Bit, misc breed, (Ronny Slonter) • Best Stupid Pet Trick — Yoder, Yorkie (P.C. Allen) • Best Costume — Ozzie, border collie (Marni Steckmann) • Most Unusual — Bree, Afghan hound, (Abi Dagit) • Best Dancer — Taco, Chihuahua (John Martin) • Dog/Owner look-a-like — Diesel, English bull dog (Michael Cook) • Best Vocals — Sasha, German shepherd

Val Springborn has always lived in Pekin and has great memories of the Marigold Festival. Every year, her parents brought her to the festival, where they spent most of the weekend enjoying all of the family oriented events. She now brings her husband, Greg, and daughter, Norah, to take pleasure in the same festival she is so fond of. Read more of the article published by Pekin Daily Times at the following link: Love of the Marigold Festival spurs woman to volunteer - Pekin, IL - Pekin Daily Times

Please join us Saturday August 14th at the F.M. Peterson Theater, Pekin Community High School 7:00 pm. Tickets will be $5 and are available in advance at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce or at the door on the night of the pageant.

Last year's inaugural tournament was a real success and the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin Wiffle Ball Classic is back! This year's tourney will again guarantee $500 to the first place team with additional payouts to the top teams. The tourney will be held on Sunday, September 12th at Mineral Springs Park, Diamond #1. The first round begins at 9:00am so arrive early. Team applications are available now. Download your copy today from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce website or pick one up at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce office, the Boys and Girls Club or the Pekin Park District.  Sign up now because the field is limited to the first 16 teams. Entry Deadline is September 3, 2010 Wiffle Ball Homerun Derby will be held as well. This is open to the public as well as the tournament players. For $2.00 you get 10 outs. Try as many times as you want and compete for cash and a trophy. For additional information call the Boys & Girls Club 309-346-5437 or the Pekin A