1998 Pekin Fourth of July Parade |
Pekin Fourth of July Parade
First taking place in 1830, the annual Pekin Fourth
of July celebration is billed as the "oldest consecutive Fourth of
July Celebration in the U.S.A." It will mark its 170th anniversary
in the year 2000. Among the noted speakers over the years have been
members of Congress, governors, college presidents, judges,
ministers, and teachers. Programs have traditionally featured
entertainment and band music, including the ever-present "Spirit of
1776 Martial Band." In 1958, the first Fourth of July queen was
selected.
No history of the Pekin Fourth of July celebration
would be complete without mentioning the noteworthy parades. In
early years when many people came in by train, a group would meet
the train and the parade would start from there. Now the parade is
the main event of the day, boasting auto, trucks, floats of every
description, bikes and horseback riders.
Originally submitted by: Baron P. Hill, Representative (9th District).
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