If you’re looking for a fun Central Illinois event for the whole family, mark your calendar for the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival! 🌼
The 54th annual festival is coming to Pekin on September 12–13, 2026, with several special events beginning earlier in the week. This year's theme is “Marigold Roots & Country Boots!” and the weekend will be filled with live entertainment, carnival rides, festive foods, local vendors, family activities, art, a parade, and plenty of classic Marigold Festival traditions.
Whether you've attended for years or you've never experienced Pekin's biggest annual celebration, there's something for just about everyone.
🌼 A Little History Behind the Pekin Marigold Festival
The Pekin Marigold Festival began in 1973 to honor Pekin native Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen.
Dirksen played an influential role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was also a passionate supporter of the marigold and championed efforts to make it the national floral emblem.
Although his efforts to make the marigold the national flower were unsuccessful, his hometown of Pekin became known as the “Marigold Capital of the World.”
Today, the Pekin Marigold Festival continues to honor his legacy while celebrating the Pekin community.
Over the years, the festival has grown into a major Central Illinois event showcasing local businesses, community organizations, nonprofit groups, artists, entertainers, and family activities.
The festival is held annually on the first weekend after Labor Day.
🤠 2026 Theme: Marigold Roots & Country Boots!
The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee has announced the theme for the 54th annual festival:
Marigold Roots & Country Boots!
This year's theme celebrates Pekin's hometown roots, warm hospitality, and the friendly, family-oriented spirit that makes the festival so special.
And if you ask us, it's a pretty fun theme for a festival that already knows how to throw a party. 🌼🤠
Longstanding favorites including festive foods, the carnival, parade, and Art in the Park will return in 2026, along with new events and activities.
📅 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival Schedule
There are actually several events leading up to the main festival weekend, so you don't have to wait until Saturday to start celebrating!
Wednesday, September 9
5:00–8:00 PM — Taste of Pekin
📍 Court Street in Downtown Pekin
Taste of Pekin is a great way to kick off Marigold Festival week while sampling food and enjoying downtown Pekin.
Thursday, September 10
4:30 PM — Crosstown Classic
📍 Mineral Springs Park – Diamond #2
5:30–9:30 PM — Carnival Bracelet Night
Sponsored by Perfect Choice Home Solutions.
If you have kids who love carnival rides, Thursday night is a great opportunity to get an early start on the festival fun.
Friday, September 11
5:00–11:00 PM — Roots & Boots Dragon Jam
📍 Avanti's Event Center Fields
5:00–11:00 PM — Carnival
Sponsored by Perfect Circle Home Solutions.
Friday night is the perfect warm-up for the big festival weekend, with live entertainment and carnival fun.
🌼 Saturday, September 12
Saturday is packed with activities from morning until evening.
Getting Around
7:00 AM–5:00 PM — Free Shuttle
A free, handicapped-accessible shuttle will run from the Mineral Springs parking lots to the vendors every 30 minutes.
Signs will be posted at pickup and drop-off locations.
Shopping, Food & Activities
9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Marigold Merchandise Tent
📍 Next to the information booth
9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Art in the Park
9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Community Spotlight
9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Festive Foods
9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Soda Stations with Marigold Souvenir Mugs
10:00 AM 🏃 Marigold Mile
📍 Starting line at 14th Street & Broadway Street
🎉 Marigold Festival Parade
10:00 AM
📍 Broadway Street
The parade is one of those classic Marigold Festival traditions that makes the weekend feel like a true community celebration.
🏛️ Dirksen Center Pop-Up Museum
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Inside the Pavilion
This is a great opportunity to learn more about Pekin native Senator Everett Dirksen and the history behind the festival.
🐴 Free Horseback Rides
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Diamond #1
🎡 Carnival
11:00 AM–11:00 PM
🎪 The Hang Out
Noon–5:00 PM
📍 Diamond #1
🧒 Kids Experience
Noon–5:00 PM
🎵 Showcase Stage
Noon–6:00 PM
📍 Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue
🚣 Amazing Cardboard Boat Races
1:30–2:00 PM — Check-in
3:00–4:00 PM — Races
📍 Mineral Springs Park Lagoon
If you've never seen a cardboard boat race, this might be one of the more unusual - and entertaining - events of the weekend!
🏆 Marigold Masters & Green Medallion Award Announcement
2:15 PM
📍 Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue
⛷️ Ski Show
4:00 PM
📍 Mineral Springs Park Lagoon
✨ Lagoon Glow
7:30 PM
📍 Lagoon / Pavilion
🤠 Marigolden Line Dance
7:30–10:00 PM
📍 Miller Center
🌼 Sunday, September 13
Don't worry - the fun doesn't stop Saturday night.
Sunday brings another full day of activities, including food, art, carnival rides, children's activities, sports, music, and the Marigold Festival rodeo.
Getting Around
7:00 AM–5:00 PM — Free Shuttle
The free handicapped-accessible shuttle will again run from the Mineral Springs parking lots to vendors every 30 minutes.
🥞 Marigolden Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
8:00–10:00 AM
📍 Miller Center
Community Worship Service
9:00–10:30 AM
📍 Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue
9:00–9:30 AM — Pre-worship music and gathering
9:30–10:30 AM — Community worship service
Sunday Activities
9:00 AM–4:00 PM — Marigold Merchandise Tent
📍 Next to information booth
9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Art in the Park
9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Community Spotlight
9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Festive Foods
9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Soda Stations with Marigold Souvenir Mugs
🏀 3-on-3 Basketball
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Pekin Park Basketball Courts
🎨 Chalk Walk
9:30 AM–3:30 PM
📍 Lagoon / Northeast side
🧒 Kids Experience
10:00 AM–3:00 PM
🎡 Carnival
11:00 AM–5:00 PM
🎵 Showcase Stage
11:30 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue
The Hang Out
Noon–5:00 PM
📍 Diamond #1
🤠 Rodeo
2:00 PM
📍 Livestock Review Building
🎨 Chalk Walk Awards
4:00 PM
📍 Steven D. Skinner Performing Arts Venue
🌼 Festival Closes
5:00 PM
And just like that, another Marigold Festival weekend comes to an end.
Why You Should Check Out the Pekin Marigold Festival
One of the best things about the Marigold Festival is that it isn't just one event.
It's a community celebration.
You can watch the parade, browse local art, grab some festival food, take the kids to the carnival, listen to live entertainment, learn about Pekin history, watch the cardboard boat races, check out the rodeo, or simply spend the day enjoying the atmosphere.
And because there are activities happening throughout the entire weekend, you can pick and choose what sounds most enjoyable to you.
For older adults and families, it's also a nice opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy some local entertainment, and spend time together.
📍 Plan Your Visit
2026 Pekin Marigold Festival
🌼 Theme: Marigold Roots & Country Boots!
📅 Main Festival: September 12–13, 2026
📍 Pekin, Illinois
Several events begin Wednesday, September 9, so be sure to check the schedule before you go.
Festival information and schedules may be updated as plans are finalized, so visit pekinmarigoldfestival.com and follow the Pekin Marigold Festival on social media for the latest information.
🌼 Come Celebrate Pekin!
Whether you're a lifelong Pekin resident, live somewhere else in Central Illinois, or simply enjoy discovering local festivals, the Pekin Marigold Festival is a great way to spend a September weekend.
From its connection to Senator Everett Dirksen to its longtime marigold traditions, the festival has a fascinating history, but it's the food, entertainment, community, and family fun that keep people coming back year after year.
So grab your family, friends, and maybe your cowboy boots, and head to Pekin for Marigold Roots & Country Boots! 🤠🌼
We'll see you at the festival!
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