As the community gears up for the beloved Marigold Festival on September 6 and 7, Pekin Rotary is proud to celebrate 45 years of tradition, service, and sizzling success.

Since 1980, Pekin Rotary has been serving up delicious food and hometown pride at the Marigold Festival. What began as a bold idea—becoming the first-ever food vendor at the event—quickly grew into a cherished tradition. That inaugural year, our club served broiled chicken to hungry festivalgoers and donated a portion of the proceeds back to the Marigold Festival. After that gift, we were thrilled to raise $1,700 in profit, which we proudly donated to support the Pekin Mobile Diner.

Over the years, our menu has evolved with the times (and the tastes), offering everything from watermelon and baked beans to homemade pie. Today, festival visitors can enjoy Ribeye Sandwiches, Butterfly Pork Chop Sandwiches, crispy potato chips, homemade lemon shake-ups, and refreshing iced tea—all served with a smile from our dedicated club volunteers.

But this isn’t just about good food—it’s about doing good. The funds raised each year go straight back into our community. Thanks to the generous support of festival patrons, Pekin Rotary has been able to fund college scholarships, improvements at Rotary Park, the Mobile Diner program, and provide grants to numerous local organizations making a difference in Pekin.

As we fire up the grills again this year, we invite you to stop by the Pekin Rotary food tent—not just for a great meal, but to help us continue our mission of service above self.