Pekin 4th Draws Huge Crowds

 

It was a day of celebration in Pekin on Thursday despite the stormy, rainy weather. The 194th Annual Pekin 4th Of July Independence Day Festival powered through intermittent storms and provided lots of activities, food and entertainment to the many loyal attendees who were not deterred by the weather.

 

Taylor Humphrey-Arnold, president of the Pekin Community Betterment Organization,  gave opening remarks and read the biographies of the grand marshals, Steve Burnett and Gary Nale. The invocation, presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance were led by Dr. Jeremy Goen, Pekin Church of Christ minister.

 

Allison Hein sang the "National Anthem," as well as “Back Home Again in Indiana” backed up by the Eastern Elementary School choir. 2024 Eastern High School Valedictorian Glenn Gosnell read the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. 

 

This being an election year, the parade was longer than usual with several political entities in the parade. There were also numerous tractors, floats and emergency vehicles in the parade as well. Eastern High School band marched in the parade, and Salem Community Schools had a float. 

 

Carolyn Mosby was crowed 2024 4th of July Princess, with Adalynn Nicholson being the runner-up princess. William “Max” Rivera was crowned 2024 4th of July Prince and his brother, Gary Rivera, was the runner-up. 

 

Lilia Blevins was crowned 2024 Pekin 4th of July Queen. Lillie Perry was chosen as the first runner-up. Harleyanne Blevins was selected as Miss Congeniality. 

 

The contestants each had a People’s Choice box where donations could be made to the charity of their choice. Half of the proceeds went to their chosen charity and the other half went back to the Pekin Community Betterment Organization for entertainment purposes. Over $1,000 was raised.

 

Due to the weather, the Juice Box Heroes performance, as well as the Watermelon and Corn on the Cob Eating contests, have been rescheduled for July 19. The Juice Box Heroes are scheduled to perform on the Pekin Park stage from 7-10 p.m.

 

By Kate Roach

 

Hardworking, honest, Christian, loyal and patriotic. These are just a few words we would use to describe our Dad, Steve Burnett. He has been a Pekin resident his entire life. He graduated from Pekin High School in 1972. He married his wife, Rhonda (also a lifelong Pekin resident), in 1980. 

 

He and Mom later started their own business, Burnett’s Welding, in the early 1980s, adding BattleWagon Trailers in the early 1990s. 

They raised their family in Pekin while successfully running both companies. 

 

Life changed for them in 2012 when a tornado destroyed their business. Deciding to change course and semi-retire, dad drove a truck, often pulling one of his own log trailers. He is now completely retired. You will often find him fishing, spending time with family, hanging out with his grandson, Cam, or doing things to help others.

 

The 4th of July has always been special to Dad. He spent many years volunteering in the Pekin Community Betterment Organization and was an integral part of the popular chicken BBQ fundraiser. He most recently served as the vice president of the PCBO. Although he has stepped down, he will not miss being a part of the celebration. He has never missed attending and doesn’t plan for that streak to end anytime soon. 

 

 

By Shannon Nale

 

Gary Nale was born and raised in Pekin, and later continued his career in Pekin. He started teaching in the Pekin area at Franklin school in 1969, then the following year, moved to Pekin High School. He continued with the school system as a high school biology teacher, then transferred to assistant principal while also acting as the transportation director until his retirement in 2000. 

 

In 1972, he began working at the town office, testing water samples. He later became town manager in 1986, and continued in that position until he retired in 2019. He said that he is forever grateful for the town of Pekin for giving him the opportunity to have a successful career, being able to raise his four children, and to be able to enjoy retirement. 

 

He always reminds anybody he knows that he would not be the person he is without this town and the people he has met.