Bicentennial Events

State of the City Address and Lunch with Mayor Burress - This event is the kickoff to the 2024 City of Pekin Bicentennial Celebrations.

As part of Pekin's Bicentennial Celebration, the Pekin Public Library will host a monthly film series, showing a variety of local film footage related to Pekin History!

Put the clues together by visiting 20 historic locations in Pekin to solve the puzzle.

The Avanti's Event Center and Harmonie hosts German Springfest, featuring Eddie Korosa, Jr., Alphorns, German food and beer and More!

Come celebrate the 200 year anniversary of Pekin! We will have plenty of games, trivia and wonderful door prizes including park facility passes and gift cards and prizes from local businesses. The fun begins at 6 pm. Snacks and lemonade will be provided. Cost is $10 a person and all funds raised will go to the Pekin Park Performing Arts Amphitheater fund.

Our show, “Singing With the Stars” will be filled with great music from many of your favorite great artists – Pink, John Legend, Beatles, Rick Steley, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Elton John, Frankie Valli, Broadway stars and more!! Tickets on sale soon!

Starting at 10am, the parade will make its way down Court Street, culminating at the stage on the corner of Court Street and Capitol Street.

The full day celebration starts with the second annual "Pekin Appreciates It’s Volunteers" community picnic, followed by the Bicentennial Downtown Street Faire.

Join City of Pekin Mayor Mary Burress, members of the City Council, and city staff as they open the Time Capsule located at City Hall, 111 S. Capitol, Pekin. The event will take place on July 4, 2024 at 9:00 am. The public is invited to attend.

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 76th Annual “Honor America Celebration” fireworks display at Pekin Memorial Stadium. This beloved community event will be held at nightfall July 4th, with a rain date of the following evening.

Brotherton's museum tours. Come experience this amazing hidden gem featuring Pekin history and memorabilia. This is a free and family oriented event.

Celebrate Pekin's rich history at the Pekin Park Foundation’s Bicentennial Bash, a spectacular event set to take place on July 6, 2024. Sponsored by the Pekin Park Foundation, this grand celebration promises an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike at the Pavilion on the Lagoon and along Pavilion Drive in Mineral Springs Park.

Join the Pekin Park Concert Band, under the Direction of Steve Skinner, as they celebrate their 97th Year of the tradition of their Sunday Evening Summer Concerts in the Park. Pekin Concerts are: June 23 & 30; July 7, 14, 21, & 28 and August 4 in the Mineral Springs Park by the Pavilion at 6:30 pm.

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.

Join us for the world premiere of "The Honorable Mister Marigold," a play commissioned by the Dirksen Center that focuses on the final days of Pekin native Everett McKinley Dirksen and an interview that considers faith, equality and the future.
The play reading stars Pekin Community High School distinguished alumnus Larry Kenney and Art Inc. co-founder Nikki Romain, and is written and directed by Wade Dooley.

Join us as we explore Pekin’s Movers, Shakers, Builders, and Merry Makers! This interactive tour will help us learn more about the folks who paved the way for the generations who follow in their footsteps.

Event details coming soon!

Join the Friends In Harmony in celebrating the season with this wonderful holiday showcase.