The Pekin Marigold Festival is always held the weekend after Labor Day in the Marigold Capital of the World – Pekin, Illinois.
Beloved by his hometown, Pekin hosted the first festival in 1973 as a celebration of the late Senator’s legislative legacy. The Pekin Marigold Festival was named in honor of Senator Dirksen, known for championing the Marigold as the national floral emblem. To this day Pekin is recognized as the Marigold Capital of the World. Senator Dirksen was most known for his key roles in passing the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Open Housing Act of 1968.