The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Marigold Festival Committee is looking forward to their annual Pekin Marigold Festival traditions. Always the weekend after Labor Day – this year’s festival events will be held on September 5-8, 2024.
The first Pekin Marigold Festival was held in 1973 to honor Pekin’s favorite son, Everett McKinley Dirksen. Dirksen continues to be honored each year at the festival. Families are encouraged to visit the Dirksen statue located in Mineral Springs Park. While in Congress, Senator Dirksen, at the strong urging of David Burpee from the Burpee Seed Company, tried to make the marigold the national floral emblem. In support of Dirksen, the community began growing marigolds. While Dirksen was unsuccessful in his efforts to make the marigold the national floral emblem, Pekin claimed the title of Marigold Capital of the World.
Over the years the Marigold Festival has grown from a small event around the courthouse in downtown Pekin to a community-wide festival that attracts thousands of people over a number of days and locations.