2021 Grand Marshals are Selected

  

Marigold Festival Announces Grand Marshals

Greg and Gloria Ranney are Selected as 2021 Marigold Festival Grand Marshals

 

The Pekin Marigold Festival is proud to announce Greg and Gloria Ranney as the 2021 Grand Marshals. Greg and Gloria truly represent the best of our community. In-line with this year’s theme of “Marigolds Shine On”, Greg and Gloria have been a bright spot within Pekin for a number of years with their intense commitments to community programs.

 

Greg and Gloria Ranney, Pekin, IL
In 2020, Greg Ranney worked tirelessly to organize and open the new Pekin Outreach Center location: a daytime shelter for people experiencing homelessness. During a world-wide pandemic, creating a shelter that offered access to showers, laundry and adequate nutrition to a poverty level population was critical and a much-needed service in our community. Greg has volunteered with an extensive number of Pekin area organizations including TCRC, Pekin Rotary Club, Salvation Army, Pekin First Committee, Pekin Transportation Committee, and Pekin Grace United Methodist Church. He has served as a Pekin Park District Commissioner, an Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Pekin Park Board Representative, Executive Director of the Pekin United Way and the Vice President of Pekin Outreach Initiative.

 

Greg Ranney’s nomination reads, “Greg would be the first to tell you that no one succeeds alone.” As his long-time guide and advisor, Gloria Ranney has inspired her husband with her well-known past career as a highly respected local teacher and administrator. She has numerous volunteer commitments within the Pekin area, notably the Leadership in Snack Pack Program, delivering several hundred nutritional snacks every week for low-income district 108 students. Among her other commitments are the Grace Café Food Pantry, shift work with Pekin Outreach Initiative and helping Greg with all the aforementioned projects.

 

The title of Grand Marshal designates an honorary position within the festival. While duties of a Grand Marshal are all for fun, the title itself represents a strong dedication to the betterment of Pekin. Greg and Gloria have made an outstanding commitment to our community, and it is with great pride we announce their selection.

 
More About Pekin Marigold Festival: The Pekin Marigold Festival, hosted by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held September 9-12, 2021. This year’s festival marks a return of many anticipated events such as the Marigold Festival Parade sponsored by Busey Bank, annual carnival sponsored by Commerce Bank, Art in the Park sponsored by Vonderheide Floor Coverings and more. The Marigold Festival showcases community programs, supports local non-for-profits and features local entertainment and merchandise vendors.

 

For the latest information about The Marigold Festival, visit the blog or see updates on the Facebook and Instagram pages.

 

Media Contact:
Brittney Hogue

Communication Coordinator
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

309-346-2106

brittney@pekinchamber.com

 

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