On Saturday, June 15, 2024, downtown Pekin will close its streets to traffic and open them to celebration as the community hosts its Bicentennim to 4pm. Two hundred years of history will be honored not through a single ceremony but through an entire day of parades, performances, food, art, and neighborly gathering that spills across the heart of the city.
A Morning Salute to Our Veterans
The day begins at 10am with a parade honoring World War 2 Veterans, a tribute that sets a tone of gratitude and remembrance before the festivities turn celebratory. Veterans will be recognized on the Tazewell County Courthouse lawn, a fitting location given the courthouse's long-standing role as a civic anchor in downtown Pekin.
This kind of tribute matters especially now, as the generation who served in World War 2 grows smaller each year. Community events like this one give residents a chance to say thank you in person, and to make sure that history is not only remembered in textbooks but honored by the people walking the same streets those veterans once called home.
Entertainment for Every Age
From 10am until 4pm, an entertainment stage will keep visitors engaged with a lineup built for variety. A kids choir and performers from a Classical Dance Academy will share the stage with more unusual attractions like aerial athletics performers and a dog show, ensuring there's something for every taste and every age group in the crowd.
Adding a lighthearted, small-town charm to the day are two classic contests: a longest beard contest and a best handlebar mustache contest. These kinds of playful competitions have long been staples of American street fairs, giving neighbors a chance to show off a little personality and giving the crowd something fun to cheer for between the more polished performances.
What to Expect on Stage
- Kids Choir performances
- Dog Show demonstrations
- Aerial Athletics performers
- Longest Beard and Best Handlebar Mustache contests
- Classical Dance Academy routines
- Additional acts throughout the day
A Community Photo and a Viral Dance
At 1pm, the community will pause for a group photo, taken by Photography By Deverman together with the Pekin Fire Department. It's a simple but meaningful gesture — a single image capturing everyone gathered downtown for this milestone celebration, one that will likely become a lasting keepsake of the bicentennial year.
Immediately following the photo, the crowd will take part in Rock the Boat, a participatory event where attendees sit in rows along the street and perform simple, choreographed arm movements in time with music. The activity has become something of a social media phenomenon in recent years, with towns and cities across the world staging their own versions — organizers point to Derry, Ireland, which recently drew nearly 1,900 participants, as inspiration for bringing the trend to Pekin.
Rock the Boat turns an entire street into one unified crowd, moving together in rhythm — a small gesture that says a lot about community spirit.
A drone will be recording the event from above, capturing the scale and unity of the moment in a way that ground-level photos simply can't match.
Art, History, and Local Flavor
Just off the main faire, the 400 block Pocket Park will host a Kid's Art Show, giving young artists in the community a chance to display their creativity in a public setting. It's a small but meaningful addition to the day, reminding visitors that a bicentennial celebration is as much about the next two hundred years as it is about the last two hundred.
History buffs will find plenty to explore as well. Plaques bearing QR codes are being installed on more than twenty downtown buildings, each one unlocking the rich history behind its walls. Visitors can wander the district at their own pace, scanning codes to learn how these structures shaped Pekin's downtown over the decades — a self-guided history lesson built right into the celebration.
For those looking to relax with a drink, Rhythm and Brews at 513 Court will transform into an Old Tyme Saloon for the day, while Yesterday's Bar and Grill will serve adult beverages (and other enjoyable options) to keep the crowd refreshed as they move between attractions.
Food, Shopping, and Games
No street faire is complete without food, and this one will be no exception. Downtown restaurants and food trucks will line the streets, serving up their specialties alongside other local businesses selling unique goods and wares. It's an opportunity not just to eat well, but to support the small businesses that make downtown Pekin distinct.
Families with young children will find plenty to keep them entertained too, with kid's carnival games set up throughout the faire grounds. Combined with the art show and entertainment stage, the day is designed to keep visitors of all ages occupied from morning until the evening concert begins.
Raising Money and Honoring Those Who Give Back
Beginning at 11am, the faire will pause to recognize the volunteers whose work makes events like this possible. A Volunteer Appreciation segment acknowledges that a celebration of this scale doesn't happen without dozens of hands behind the scenes — setting up stages, coordinating vendors, and keeping the day running smoothly.
Downtown businesses have also contributed baskets and gift cards for a community raffle, giving attendees a chance to win prizes while supporting the same local shops that make the district worth visiting year-round.
Fittingly for a bicentennial celebration, Abraham and Mary Lincoln will make an appearance for photo opportunities, tying the day's festivities directly back to the historical roots being honored throughout the event.
An Evening of Live Music
As the street faire winds down at 4pm, the celebration doesn't end — it simply changes tone. From 5pm to 10pm, downtown Pekin will host the first installment of its new Downtown Concert Series, featuring live music from the band 2nd Chance. It's a fitting way to close out a day built around community, history, and connection, letting the evening settle into music and conversation as the sun goes down over downtown.
Those interested in becoming part of the effort behind this and future community gatherings are encouraged to reach out. Organizers are actively seeking volunteers, and anyone interested can send their information by email to . For a full look at what else is planned throughout the year, visit the Bicentennial Events page and see how the Downtown Street Faire fits into the broader calendar of celebrations marking Pekin's two hundredth year.