Home From the History Room Scenes from Pekin’s Bicentennial Kick-Off, 19 Jan. 2024

Scenes from Pekin’s Bicentennial Kick-Off, 19 Jan. 2024

Jared L. Olar

Scenes from Pekin’s Bicentennial Kick-Off, 19 Jan. 2024

Photos by Jared L. Olar, Pekin Public Library Local History Program Coordinator

The official Pekin Bicentennial logo is projected on a screen prior to the start of Pekin’s Bicentennial Year kick-off event Friday, 19 Jan. 2024, at the Pekin Moose Lodge.

Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, emceed the “State of the City” Bicentennial inaugural event at the Pekin Moose Lodge on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024.

Heather Robertson, pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, delivered an invocation asking God’s blessing upon Pekin’s Bicentennial kick-off event on 19 Jan. 2024, upon the year’s celebrations, and upon the city’s future.

Pekin Community High School District 303 Superintendent Danielle Owens reviews Pekin high school history, successes, and plans at the city’s Bicentennial kick-off event on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024.

At Pekin’s kick-off event for the city’s Bicentennial Year, Pekin Public School District 108 Superintendent Len Ealey gave an overview of the history of public education in Pekin and described the district’s resources.

Pekin Public Library Director Jeff Brooks spotlighted the library’s programs during the City of Pekin’s Bicentennial kick-off on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024, at the Pekin Moose Lodge. The library, which originated in 1866 as the Ladies’ Library Association of Pekin, has been a branch of the city government since February 1896.

In a presentation on the history and benefits of the Pekin Park District, the district’s executive director Cameron Bettin shared notable developments that were recorded in the Park Board’s official minutes over the past century and a half.

Pekin Mayor Mary Burress, wearing the city’s colors red and white, presents the annual “State of the City” address on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024, during the city’s Bicentennial kick-off event at the Pekin Moose Lodge. The event’s date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the date when Pekin was named in 1830, about five and half years after the arrival of Pekin’s first settler in 1824.

Local news media were there to cover Pekin’s Bicentennial kick-off on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024, at the Pekin Moose Lodge.

More than 220 people were there to hear Pekin Mayor Mary Burress during her “State of the City” address on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024, an event that formally inaugurated the city’s calendar of Bicentennial celebrations.

John Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, presented the Bicentennial Address during the City of Pekin’s official kick-off of its Bicentennial Year celebrations on Friday, 19 Jan. 2024. Morris’ address was a panegyric extolling the city.

The official Pekin Bicentennial logo was “printed” in icing on cookies served at the kick-off event’s luncheon. T-shirts and sweaters bearing the logo were also offered for sale there. After her “State of the City” address, Mayor Mary Burress recognized Morgan McDaniels, who designed the Bicentennial logo, and Chris Deverman, who designed the city’s official Bicentennial website at pekinbicentennial.com, which includes a calendar of upcoming Bicentennial events.

Latest articles

Hinners reed organ on display at Pekin library

Jacob A. Roelfs, hardware and lumberman

Thomas Cooper, 22nd and 26th Mayor of Pekin

Julius F. Jaeckel, beloved Pekin fire chief

New marker recalls East Peoria’s World War I Camp Herring

Categories

Tazewell County

Native Americans

Apply for a Card

Tags

Amy McCoy Cameron Bettin Chris Deverman Danielle Owens District 108 District 303 Heather Robertson Jeff Brooks John Morris Len Ealey Morgan McDaniels Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Pekin Bicentennial Pekin Bicentennial logo Pekin history Pekin Mayor Mary Burress Pekin Park District Pekin Public Library Peoria Riverfront Museum

Share this article

Related Article

Jacob A. Roelfs, hardware and lumberman

In the roll of German immigrants who became community pillars of Pekin...

Jared L. Olar

November 20, 2025

Thomas Cooper, 22nd and 26th Mayor of Pekin

Among the notables of Pekin’s pioneer past was Col. Thomas W. Cooper...

Jared L. Olar

November 13, 2025

Julius F. Jaeckel, beloved Pekin fire chief

Among the prominent figures of Pekin’s history was Julius Franz Jaeckel (1862-1950),...

Jared L. Olar

November 6, 2025

Stay Informed

Explore Stories from Your Library

Browse past stories, highlights, and updates on local art, events, and library happenings, all gathered in one place.