Pekin Marigold Festival

The Sand Volleyball Tournament will take place, Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 a.m. (Sunday, September 13 rain date only). It will be held at the Pekin Park District Sand Volleyball Courts. This event is open to anyone over 18 years old.  Click here to see more details and get an application.

Ritcharts Petting Zoo is returning to the Pekin Marigold Festival this year! They will be located by the Kids' Experience. Stop by and visit all the great animals they bring to the festival each year. They will be open Saturday, September 12th,  9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday, September 13th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Be sure to stop and visit the organizations in our Civic Collage area! 

Kick off the Marigold Festival weekend at the Pekin Country Club's Marigold Wine & Beer Tasting 

Running with the Saints applications  are now available here as well as on the Pekin Marigold Festival Facebook page!

Frank Fritz, star of the HISTORY Channel hit show American Pickers, will be the celebrity guest at the 2015 Pekin Marigold Festival. The theme for this year’s festival is Pickin’ the Perfect Weekend.  Fritz will ride in the Marigold Festival Parade sponsored by Busey Bank on Saturday, September 12th.  He will also be available for pictures and autographs at the Enviro-Safe Refrigerants Celebrity Tent on Saturday and Sunday.    Fritz started picking early; collecting rocks and beer cans as a kid. As his collection of “staples” grew, so did his knowledge of antiques. For many years, he worked as a fire and safety inspector, leaving his passion for antiques, junk and anything with an engine as a hobby. Soon enough, he discovered that his keen eye and attention to detail led to finding more than just junk – he was finding treasure amongst trash – a revelation that allowed him to turn a hobby into a career. He now spends most of his time on the road wi...

Friday Night Family Fest will be held on Friday, September 11th, 2015 from 5pm - 10pm. The festivities will be held downtown around the Courthouse. There will be several unique food and snack vendors, youth activities, PLUS live entertainment by The Brazillionaires. The annual community talent show will also be taking place this evening! For more information please call Pekin Main Street at 353-3100 or visit www.pekinmainstreet.com .

Prairie Star Fiddlers, Saturday, September 12th, 1:15PM - 2:00PM  The Prairie Star Fiddlers are a select group of the Suzuki String program from Pekin School District #108. The group is comprised of violinists, violists, a bass, and a banjo. Students range in age from 8 years old through high school. Prairie Star Fiddlers play throughout the year for retirement centers, nursing homes, church groups, and other community events. Their repertoire includes American fiddle tunes, Irish tunes, bluegrass, gypsy fiddling, waltzes, polkas, gigs, and reels. We are proud to showcase some of Pekin's talented young people and you won't want to miss this fun performance!

Julie K - Saturday, September 12th, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM  Encouraging familes to laugh and sing together has been a mission for Julie K! Her inspiration to creat age appropriate children's music that families could enjoy together was the birth of her son and a bucket list message at her church. Julie K's original albums include, "A Sunny Day" (2009) "Animal Party" (2010) "Family Love" (2012) "Happy Day"(2014) and "Julie K Christmas" (2014). Her first four albums have received national acclaim, including Creative Child Album of the Year, Dove Approved, Parents Choice and Dr. Toy Awards. In 2013 Julie K was recognized with the Forty Leaders Under 40 and the 25 Women in Leadership Awards. Music has played a significant role in Julie K's life since the age of five when she spent her time arranging backyard performances for the neighborhood. She continued singing her way through high school and college and received a Bachelor o...

Pekin Hospital will have a First Aid Station open and available both Saturday and Sunday for those accidents that may happen.

The Pekin Marigold Festival Carnival will be open on Thursday, September 10th, 5:30pm to 9:30pm (wristband night) Friday, September 11th, 5:00pm to 11:00pm Saturday, September 12th, 11:00am to 11:00pm Sunday, September 13th, 11:00am to 5:00pm Wristband night is Thursday (unlimited rides from 5:30pm to 9:30pm) and the cost is $20 per person. Regular tickets prices are a $1.25 each or a family pack of 20 tickets for $20.  All rides take at least two tickets. Thanks to C.D.A.C., Inc. we have a limited number of wristband vouchers for sale for $15.  These are available at the chamber office until 4pm on Wednesday, September 9th or until they are gone (whichever comes first).  The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 402 Court Street and is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday (closed on Labor Day).

Congratulations to the winnners of the 2015 Marigold Garden Contest!! Adult Category   First Place  - Kevin, Amy & Courtney Psinas Second Place - Mr. & Mrs. Jim Gilmore Youth Category First Place - Ginsey Campbell Second Place - Aliyah King Business Category  First Place - First Baptist Church of Pekin Second Place - Hoe & Hope Garden Club 

Is your pooch the next Top Dog? This is sure to be a Guaranteed Doggone good time for furry and not-so-furry friends. Free to enter, Fun to Watch! So pick up the Pooch and bring him out Thursday, to the area just west of Dragonland for a tail-waggin great time! No pre-registration necessary. Your doggie may enter as many contests as they choose. Categories Include: Largest Dog Cutest Smallest Dog Trick Best Costume Longest Ears Best Vocal Finals The winners of each contest, chosen by audience applause (hint... be sure to bring your friends!) will proceed as contestants to become Pekin's Top Dog. (A Marigold Festival Event) For more information, call 347-PARK.

Thursday, September 10th, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, there will be a Marigold Festival Wine & Beer Tasting at Pekin Country Club. There will be a charge for this event.

The Marigold Festival Committee has instituted a “pet free zone”. This includes all areas from Court Street north of Royal Avenue and from Coal Car Drive west to 14th Street. It also includes the carnival area. Thank you for your cooperation.

Monday, August 31st the first Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt clue will be released. Check out our blog for daily clue releases or on the Pekin Marigold Festival Facebook page!! Happy Hunting!!!

The 8th Annual Marigold Festival Women's Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 at Parkview Golf Course! Good luck to all of our lady golfers!!!

Stop by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce today and pick up your 2015 CEFCU Marigold Mug for just $3. We are located at 402 Court St., Pekin  

The applications for the NRG Powerton Generating Station 2015 Chalk Art Contest are now available!!!

The Pekin Marigold Festival Carnival will be open on: Thursday, September 10th, 5:30pm to 9:30pm (Wristband Night) Friday, September 11th, 5:00pm to 11:00pm Saturday, September 12th, 11:00am to 11:00pm Sunday, September 13th, 11:00am to 5:00pm Regular ticket prices for the entire festival are $1.25 per ticket or a family pack of 20 tickets for $20.  All rides take at least two tickets. Wristband's for Thursday (unlimited rides between 5:30pm and 9:30pm) are $20 per person. Thanks to C.D.A.C., Inc. we have a limited number of wristband vouchers for sale for $15.   These are available at the chamber office until 4pm on Wednesday, September 9th or until they are gone (whichever comes first).  The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 402 Court Street and is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday (closed on Labor Day).