Pekin’s iconic Marigold Festival is back for 2025 with a spirited new theme: “Marigold Pep Rally: Team Spirit!” Happening on Wednesday, September 3, to Sunday, September 7, at Mineral Springs Park.
Marigolds symbolize joy, happiness and positive energy - all things you’ll find at the Pekin Marigold Festival! The festival honors the legacy of Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen and his attempt to make the marigold our national floral emblem. While his cause did not succeed, the festival has been a showcase event for the community since 1973. Here are some tips to make the most of the event:
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
The Iconic Medallion Hunt (noon)—Don't be alarmed if you see people sleuthing around town - they are likely looking for the Marigold Medallion and $1,500 prize. The first clue will be released on Monday, August 25, and then will be available daily until it's found. It's truly one of the most exciting traditions, with clues being released daily!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Marigold Golf Outing (noon)—An afternoon of fun, networking, and fellowship. Prizes will be awarded. Mulligans available. Get your foursome together at Lick Creek Golf Course.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
JFL Football Games (1-3pm)—Watch the future stars of Pekin Football as the JFL teams take the field at 1pm. Help cheer on the young athletes!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Yoga (6pm)—The festival will host a free outdoor yoga session in Mineral Springs Park.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Taste of Pekin (5-8p)—Local restaurants serve up their signature dishes during the Taste of Pekin event downtown. It's your chance to try sample-sized portions while enjoying live music and a lip sync or karaoke contest.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Crosstown Classic (4:00)—The ultimate rivalry: Broadmoor vs. Edison! Watch these two schools face off in a baseball game that is sure to keep you on your feet. Cheer on the junior high students as they play at Diamond 2 in Mineral Springs Park at 4:30. Pep Rally will be immediately prior, beginning at 4:00pm. Concessions are available at this event.
Carnival Bracelet Night (5:30-9:30p)—The carnival is also returning for all four days of the festival with a bracelet night kick-off. The carnival is located West of the Arena.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Carnival—The carnival runs from 5-11pm.
Friday Night Tailgate (5-6:30pm)—Show your team spirit! Enjoy live music, food, games, face painting, prizes for the best decorated car, and more! Park in the Early Bird Lot (near Circle Drive at PCHS).
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Free Shuttle—Running between 7a-6p
Art in the Park (9a-6pm)—Another highly anticipated event of the Marigold Festival! Art in the Park returns with a vendor lineup that is sure to keep you excited through every turn.
Festive Foods (9-6pm)—Festive Foods is a fundraising event, and all of the vendors are nonprofit organizations.
Community Spotlight (9a-6p)—Standing alongside Art in the Park, Community Spotlight showcases services and groups within the Pekin area that offer outreach initiatives, nonprofit services and more.
Soda Stations (9a-6p)—Grab a cold drink and a souvenir mug at the soda stations located in Art in the Park. Show your mug to any station and receive a discounted price on refills!
Marigold Mile (10am)—A registered, one-mile racing event along the parade route, just before the parade begins. Runners can check in/register in the Vonderheide’s Floor Covering parking lot beginning at 9:00am.
Marigold Festival Parade (10am)—A Marigold Festival Tradition, beginning at 14th and Broadway and continuing downtown to Capitol St.
Carnival—The carnival runs from 11a-11p.
Dirksen Center Pop-Up Museum (noon-3pm)—From his time playing football in Pekin to his legacy of Bipartisan statesmanship, this interactive exhibit features captivating storytelling and historic artifacts, showcasing the team spirit of the honorable Mr. Marigold himself.
Kids Experience (noon-5pm)—Check out the coolest place for kids in the park! With activities, freebies, and more. This is a free event for children 10 and under.
Showcase Stage (noon-6pm)—Live music and entertainment will rock the Showcase Stage all weekend long at the Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Center. The Skazz Band 12-1:30pm // Marching Band Pep Rally with PCHS & Western Illinois University 2-2:30pm // Mascot Meet and Greet 2:30-3pm // Elvis by Lee Hall 3-3:45pm // Pekin 108 Strings 4-4:30pm // Ryan Massey 5-6pm.
Pep Rally/Meet the Mascots (2pm)—Cheer on Pekin and the Festival! Featuring: Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks, Pekin High School Marching Dragons, and mascots from area schools, teams, and businesses.
Water Ski Show (3pm)—This is a brand new event at the Pekin Park Lagoon featuring trick skiing, wakeboarding, slow-speed water ballet, and the iconic water ski pyramid.
The Amazing Cardboard Boat Race (4pm)—The much-loved event is back! Will your boat make it 200 yards to be crowned champion?
Iron Spirit Pro Wrestling (1-2pm + 5-6pm)—Located at the North End of the Pavilion, watch a family-friendly show, full of energy and excitement.
Lagoon Glow (7:30pm)—This demonstration is nostalgic and where #marigoldmemories are made. The Lagoon Glow will have lanterns available for purchase during the festival. Write a memory or wish on your lantern, or honor a loved one.
Marigolden Line Dance + Euchre Party (7:30-10pm)—Party at the Miller Center! Dance the night away with your favorite line dances. Coffee, tea, popcorn, and door prizes are provided. You can also play Euchre with your friends in the McNaughton Lounge at 7pm.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Free Shuttle—Running between 7a-5p
Marigolden Pancake/Sausage Breakfast (8-10a)—Stop by the Miller Center, across from the lagoon, for a breakfast fundraiser to support TCRC and Miller Center programs.
Community Worship Service (9-10:30p)—Pre-Worship Music and Gathering 9-9:30am and Community Worship Service 9:30-10:30am.
Art in the Park—Enjoy the vendors between 9a-5pm.
Festive Foods (9a-5pm)—Festive Food is a fundraising event, and all of the vendors are nonprofit organizations.
Community Spotlight (9a-5p)—Standing alongside Art in the Park, Community Spotlight showcases services and groups within the Pekin area that offer outreach initiatives, nonprofit services and more.
Soda Stages (9-5pm)—Grab a cold drink and a souvenir mug at the soda stations located in Art in the Park. Show your mug to any station and receive a discounted price on refills!
Showcase Stage—Community Worship Gathering Music 9-9:30a + Service 9:30-10:30a // Stereo Typical 11am-1pm // Sweet Adelines | 1-1:30pm // Overeasy 1:30-3pm // Stephanie Foster Band 3-5pm.
3 on 3 Basketball—Sign up your 3rd-8th graders in a double elimination tournament at the Pekin Park Basketball Courts.
Chalk Walk (9:30a-3:30p)—Walk along the Mineral Springs Lagoon and see area artists at work! This newer event has chalk drawings from all age groups and boasts a not-to-miss display of talent.
Kids Experience (10a-3p)—Check out the coolest place for kids in the park! With activities, freebies, and more. This is a free event for children 10 and under.
Carnival—Running between 11a-5pm.
Turdle Bingo (11a-4p)—Herman the Turtle will graze all day, and at 4 PM, the locations he visited will be collected. People who chose those locations will be entered in a raffle for 50/50 proceeds.
Iron Spirit Pro Wrestling—Gather around the ring between 11:30am-12:30pm + 3-4pm.
Dirksen Center Pop-Up Museum—Pop into the pop-up between noon and 3pm.
Chalk Walk Award Announcements—Award Ceremony on the Showcase Stage at 4pm.
Festival closes at 5pm on Sunday.
