In 1980, the Pekin Rotary Club became the first service organization to offer a food item at the Pekin Marigold Festival, marking the beginning of a proud tradition. The previous year, the club had launched Pekin’s first mobile diner operation and sought a way to financially support this venture.

Starting with grilled chicken, the club set up its operation on what was then the fringe of Art in the Park—near what is now a sidewalk connecting the Lagoon side to the dugout parking lot. As the festival grew, so did Rotary’s menu offerings. Transitioning to grilled pork chops and rib eye sandwiches, their menu continued to expand. The club also began renting a tent every year to provide shade and a comfortable dining area for festival-goers. In 2015, the club adopted the title of “Rotary Grill,” continuing to proudly serve a wide array of menu options.

Entirely run by club volunteers and community partners, the Rotary Grill provides critical funding for various community initiatives. These include support for the original Pekin Mobile Diner, scholarships, scholastic awards for 8th graders, literacy programs, the Pekin Outreach Initiative, Pekin Rotary Grants, the club’s foundation—Pekin Rotary Charities, and Rotary International’s Foundation.