TitleRonald Reagan Visit to Eureka College for the 1947 Pumpkin Festival with Coach McKinzie and others

Inventory Number1947.019

Full CollectionRonald Reagan Collection - Reagan Image Collection - 5x7 Images

Object Description

In 1947, Eureka, Illinois hosted their annual Pumpkin Festival. This particular year had the largest attendance - while most years would see an average of 40-50,000 attendees, 1947 would see nearly 100,000 attend over the two day celebration. The significant rise in attendees was in large part due to the appearance of Ronald Reagan, a Hollywood film actor who was a student at Eureka College between 1928-1932. As an honored guest of the festival, Reagan was given several prominent roles including crowning the festival queen, opening the annual Pumpkin Bowl football game, and leading the parade on horseback. The Governor of Illinois, Dwight H. Green was also in attendance and rode on the coronation float with Reagan. 

In this posed black and white photograph Ronald Reagan stands with Coach 

Object Date1947

Object StatusCurrent

Object TypePhotographs

Country OriginUnited States

Credit LineEureka College

Full LocationEureka College Archives - Digital Archive

SubjectRonald Regan, Actor Ronald Reagan, Eureka College Visit, 1947 Pumpkin Festival, Coach McKinzie and others

Inventory Contact NameBouslog, Katelynn - Ronald Reagan Museum - Eureka College