Pekin Marigold Festival

Congratulations to the award winners in the 2016 Pekin Marigold Festival Parade Sponsored by Busey Bank: Fist Baptist Church - Busey Bank Traveling Trophy New Beginnings Fellowship in Christ - Busey Bank Parade Sponsor Award Pekin Hospital - Chamber President's Award First Pekin Savings Bank - Grand Marshal's Award Pekin Insurance - Festival Chairman's Award Artistic Community Theater - 2016 Miss Marigold Queen's Award

As of 3pm today, Art in the Park and Civic Collage vendors will not be able to drive vehicles off of paved surfaces and up to their booths for loading and set-up on Friday.  It is also extremely doubtful vendors will be able to drive to their booths on Saturday morning, especially if we receive the rain that is in the forecast for Friday. If we don't get the forecasted rain, there is a chance vendors will be able drive to their booth for load out on Sunday night. We recognize that this will be a challenge for some of our vendors, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we deal with Mother Nature. Please be sure to check-in before setting up your booth.

As of 3:00pm today, the weather is not expected to impact tonight's events.  The Commerce Bank Carnival is scheduled to be open for bracelet night as scheduled...5:30 to 9:30pm. Also, the Dogs on a Catwalk begins at 6pm (registration starts at 5:30pm) near Dog Park in Mineral Springs Park. And the Marigold Wine Tasting runs from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Pekin Country Club.  Tickets are $10.

Parking can sometimes be a challenge during the Marigold Festival.  The year parking will be even more of a challenge.  With all of the heavy rain, many of the fields that were used for parking will not be available - they are soggy with a lot of standing water.  Paved parking is available in the Arena parking lot and the lot immediately east of the Park Admin building.  The large parking lot between Coal Car Drive and Pavilion Road is for handicap parking only.  Only vehicles with official handicap placards will be allowed to park in this lot. There will be parking for vendor trailers in the field off Stadium Drive near Parkway Drive.  And, Pekin Insurance has made their parking lot on the corner of Parkway and Broadway available to public parking on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle buses provided by Peoria Limousine will make continues stops at all of these parking lots from 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 8am to 5pm on Sunday.

Due to the heavy rain this morning, and the anticipated additional rain, the Pekin Insurance Festive Food Court will be moved east, down Royal Avenue near the Royal Avenue picnic shelter.  All of the food vendors (except the popcorn stand) will be moved to this new area.  The load-in will actually be much easier for our food vendors.  All food vendors need to meet with Josh at the Royal Avenue picnic shelter (before setting up) for their assigned space. Again, we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we deal with Mother Nature.   

Mineral Springs Park received nearly 2-inches of rain overnight, leaving several areas of the park with deep standing water.  Additional rain, sometimes heavy, is expected through Friday night.  As of right now NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED OFF OF THE PAVED SURFACES IN MINERAL SPRINGS PARK.  This includes Art in the Park, Kids Experience, Civic Collage, Festive Foods and all grass parking areas.  The Marigold Festival Committee will meet this afternoon to discuss options for events that will be affected by the heavy rain.  We know many vendors and the public have questions.  We will post more information here as it becomes available. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding.  Despite Mother Nature's best efforts we will stay focused on our goal - to host a safe and fun Pekin Marigold Festival.