As festival season heats up in the nearby Pekin Real Estate market, along with area temperatures, the Village of Tremont prepares for its biggest event of the year, the Turkey Festival.

The Tremont Turkey Festival, in its 46th year, kicks off Thursday, June 9, with the Miss Tremont Pageant. But the real fun begins Friday at 11 a.m. when the food vendors open to visitors hoping to gobble up as much turkey as possible.

“It’s all about the food,” Publicity Chair Michele Garey said. “The char-grilled turkey sandwiches are what I believe draws people to the festivals.”

The proceeds from the turkey, as well as the other foods served — such as strawberry shortcake — will go toward Tremont community programs.

According to the village’s news website, more than $57,000 in funds raised at the 2010 event were dispersed March 22 to 13 different organizations.

The festival was originally started to pay for building a community pool, according to Garey, but the proceeds now go to help the district library, the local food pantry, the Veterans Memorial, and the youth basketball program, among others.

Carnival rides, a medallion hunt with clues, free live music and crafts booths will mark the weekend and provide an inexpensive source of entertainment for people of all ages.

“All the entertainment is free,” Garey said. “It’s pretty economical. A lot of people in Tremont are there for the whole weekend.”

According to the festival website, www.turkeyfestival.com, the weekend festival will also include a strawberry shortcake eating contest, an antique tractor pull, a car show and an antiques corner. For the third year, there will also be a frozen turkey toss — which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. The winner will receive a $50 prize. A full schedule for the festival can be found on the Turkey Festival website.

Garey said people just passing through who want to get some food without having to park and enter the festival will be able to visit the Turkey Express, where they can pick up select menu items at a drive-thru set up in the Tremont High School semi-circle driveway.

A parade Sunday at 4 p.m. with popular children’s show characters, clowns and other attractions will mark the end of the festival.

For a FREE LIST of homes in the Pekin Real Estate market and surrounding communities, including Tremont, visit us at www.livinginpekin.com or complete the form below.