Haizler Diane Arnold, sponsored by Designer Cutz;

Graylynn Cortez

Ella Gray, sponsored by McDonald's;

Brenlee Mae Halyard, sponsored by Simpson Farms;

Layla Horner, sponsored by Dinner Bell, Stumler's Catering and Marshall Monuments;

Tinsley Dawn Jackson Hubbard, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars #6636;

Mila Martin, sponsored by Temple and Temple;

Caroline Mosby, sponsored by New Pekin Properties;

Adalynn Nicholson, sponsored by Teena's Pizza;

Emilia Rivera, sponsored by Brading Bunch Daycare;

Gary Rivera, sponsored by SKW Properties LLC;

William "Max" Rivera, sponsored by Stephannie Wilson, Realtor, Schuyler Bauer.

 

1978 - Craig Callam & Kellie Stewart
1979 - Benji Frederick & Nessa Atkins
1980 - Joshua Griffith & Deidre Phillips
1981 - Troy Hampton & Shannon McClellan
1982 - Andrew King & Kara Akers
1983 - Andy Napier & Erika Strojny
1984 - Steven Walker & Debbie Brown
1985 - Joshua Bobo & Tristan Law
1986 - Gary Bates, Jr. & Jennifer Lawyer
1987 - Ashley Fleming & Rebecca Greene
1988 - Laurel Dodge IV & Rochelle Sullivan
1989 - Aaron Temple & Randi Costin
1990 - Travis Thieneman & Misty Lockard
1991 - Brandon Brough & Rebecca Costin
1992 - Christopher Floyd & Ashley Oller
1993 - Micah Souder & Brandi Smith
1994 - Christopher Lyons & Leslie Drury
1995 - Wesley Hedden & Jamie Schocke
1996 - Kyle Lee & Ashleigh Lyons
1997 - Brandon Fleming & Veronica Asher
1998 - Craigen Goodwin & Kelsey Mann
1999 - Tyson Thomas & Amelia Hein
2000 - Phoenix Bogard & Brittany Abbot
2001 - Nash Zehnder & Dainah Burnett
2002 - Kainen Grimm & Kaylin Bright
2003 - Trace Myers & Shelby Anderson
2004 - Evan Lasley & Kaitlin Sands
2005 - Gavin Hurst & Hannah Ingram
2006 - Devin Mielke & Grazie Lee
2007 - Tucker Chism & Emily Browning
2008 - Landon Snelling & Hannah Drury
2009 - Isaiah Williams & Natalie Blevins
2010 - Kaden Temple & Vivian Hamilton
2011 - Chase Elliott & Mikaya Webb
2012 - Reese Wineinger & Chaylee Byrd
2013 - Shaun Wheeler & Brynnlee Craig
2014 - Cruz Carlile & Maggie Morrow
2015 - No Prince & Princess Contest
2016 - James Reese Lindley & Sophia Shanks
2017 - Zeke Schoettle & Natalia Herth Martinez
2018 - Mason Lawson & Braelyn Stahl
2019 - Knox Heath & Katie Hagg
2020 - Abel Davis & Ridley Boling
2021 - Canaan Whittaker & Emma Lawson
2022 - Nixon Givans & Haley Sullivan
2023 - Myles Marshall & Felicity LaDuke
2024 - William "Max" Rivera & Carolyn Mosby

 

 

 

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.