Editing New Pekin, Indiana (section)

===Fourth of July celebration===
The town of New Pekin claims the distinction of having the oldest consecutive [[Independence Day (US)|Independence Day]] celebration in the [[United States|United States of America]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wlky.com/article/pekin-celebrates-fourth-of-july-with-184th-independence-day-parade/3750940|title=Pekin celebrates Fourth of July with 184th Independence Day parade|last=Gayle|first=Anna-Lysa|date=July 5, 2014|work=WLKY|access-date=December 15, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Pekin began celebrating Independence Day in the year 1830. However, [[Bristol, Rhode Island]] claims to have celebrated since 1785.

Few historical facts about the earliest celebrations exist, with the information available coming from oral tradition. The first several celebrations were said to be neighborhood affairs, though it is assumed that it did not stay that way for long. Many families lived in the surrounding townships and there were few social activities.

Various sources recount that the celebration was held near Old Pekin from 1830 until 1856. Around 1857, the celebration was moved to near the Blue River, where festivities were held until 1885. In either 1872 or 1873, the picnic was held at the farm of James Campbell, where he had built a recreational area.

The fall of 1884 saw the completion of the fairgrounds. The following year, the celebration was moved to the new fairgrounds. Many local residents did not agree with the celebration being moved there and held a second celebration at Tash Grove.

In 1909, the Gill brothers bought the southern part of the old fairgrounds, which became known as Gill's Grove. This became the present location of the Pekin Community Park, where the celebration has been held every year since.

Today the celebration consists of a fireworks display, a parade, live bands, three-on-three basketball tournament, carnival, food vendors, a flea market, reading of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]], prince and princess contest, horseshoe pitching contest, a queen contest, cookouts and many other small celebrations around the town of Pekin.

Former Indiana Rep. [[Mike Sodrel]] said in 2006, “If [[Norman Rockwell]]’s America exists anywhere today, it has to be in the [[Indiana's 9th congressional district|9th District of Indiana]]. There is nothing that I can think of that is more Americana and Rockwellesque than the Independence Day parade in Pekin.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/20494-q-what-is-the-highlight-of-your-fourth-of-july-weekend/|title=Q What is the highlight of your Fourth of July weekend|last=McGill|first=Natalie|date=July 5, 2006|work=TheHill|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>