The first celebration was held in 1830. For the first three years, the
celebration was held at the homes of three different families. It mainly
consisted of family picnics and meeting up with old friends. Then, in 1883, the
Washington and Clark County Fair Association was formed and was located
where the Pekin Park is today. Due to a disagreement on where to hold the
celebration (at the land presently known as the Pekin Park or where the
celebration had been held the year before) there were two separate
celebrations held that year. In 1884, an agreement was reached and Pekin
became united with a bigger and better celebration.
In 1952, the Pekin Community Betterment Organization was formed with the
purpose of "bettering" the community. In 1954 the PCBO bought land, which is
now known as the Pekin Park. It was decided to continue the tradition, and
the PCBO has been in charge of the event ever since. The PCBO was
incorporated as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan
organization.
Since it's inception, the members of the PCBO have put forth countless hours
of work, all to benefit the residents of their community.