SVM_Petunia Days_062823

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

Meet this year’s Petunia Festival Court

Jonathan Harrison

Petunia Festival King

Jonathan, son of Alan and Dawn Harrison, is a student at Faith Christian School where he participates in soccer, basketball, and volleyball. He serves as the Vice President of the Key Club and is actively involved in his church and youth group. After high school, Jonathan plans on participating in the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) program. After that, he would like to attend a trade school where he can learn carpentry and architecture.

Teyla Wendt

Petunia Festival Queen

Teyla, daughter of Bob and DeeAnn Wendt, is a student at Dixon High School where she participates in Key Club, the drama department, cross country and track teams, and is student council president. She also serves as the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District Secretary, overseeing clubs across Illinois and eastern Iowa. She has continued to participate in community events by working at the Elks Lodge in the banquet room. After high school, Teyla plans to attend a

four-year college to pursue her love of running and study to become a biology teacher.

Molly Oliver

Pinky Petunia

Molly, daughter of Billy and Amy Oliver, is a student at Dixon High School where she’s active in Honors Choir, theater, and madrigals. She also represented DHS as a part of the Illinois Music Education Association District 8. She’s used both her love of music and her passion for working with kids as she participated in the Dixon Public Schools All Schools Choir. She enjoys connecting with the people in her community through her job at Oliver’s Corner Market. Molly plans to pursue a degree in cosmetology after graduating high school.

Logan Devine

Petunia Festival Attendant

Logan, son of Mary Devine and Gerald Lott, attends Newman High School where he runs on the cross country and track teams. He also participates in the school’s math team, student council, and musical

theater. As a part of Boy Scouts, he has learned many life skills and is able to give back to his community. He is also employed at Culver’s in Dixon. After graduating, Logan plans to attend a four-year college to study engineering.

Katie Drew

Petunia Festival Attendant

Katie, daughter of Tim and Rhonda Drew, attends Dixon High School

where she’s served as Vice President of the Class Officers, Student Council, and Key Club. She especially enjoys playing sports, such as basketball, soccer, and most especially golf. Katie has used her skills as a golfer to coach younger children during the summers. After high school, she plans to attend college to study nursing. One day Katie hopes to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Source: petuniafestival.org/royalty

Photo: petuniafestival.org/royalty

From left: Petunia Festival King Jonathan Harrison, Queen Teyla Wendt, “Pinky” Molly Oliver, and attendants Katie Drew and Logan Devine.

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

Horsepower under the hood and tail fins on the trunks filled the Peoria Avenue bridge during the 2022 Petunia Fest car show. This year’s show will be in a new location. See the Cruise-in Style Car Show listing on page 23 for more information

WEDNESDAY

Tennis Classic

614 Palmyra St.

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Additional details unavailable as of press time

Reagan Boyhood Home Tours

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

810 S. Hennepin Ave.

Petunia HQ open for ticket sales

Noon-6 p.m.

77 S. Hennepin Ave.

Crafts With Royalty

1-4 p.m.

Dixon Public Library

221 S. Hennepin Ave.

THURSDAY

Ticket sales

10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Last day to buy entertainment and carnival pre-sale tickets at a discounted price; at the Petunia Festival Headquarters, 77 S. Hennepin Ave.

Tennis Classic

Page Park

614 Palmyra St.

Additional details unavailable as of press time

Reagan Boyhood Home Tours

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

810 S. Hennepin Ave.

Bingo

Doors open at 10 a.m., game play

noon-3 p.m.

Dixon Elks Lodge

1279 Franklin Grove Road

For ages 18 and older; small bills only; no outside food or drinks

FRIDAY

Tennis Classic

Page Park

614 Palmyra St.

Additional details unavailable as of press time

Think Pink Craft Show

Noon-6 p.m.

Loveland Community House

513 W. Second St.

Reagan Boyhood Home Tours

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

810 S. Hennepin Ave.

Bingo

Doors open at 10 a.m., game play

noon-3 p.m.

Dixon Elks Lodge

1279 Franklin Grove Road

For ages 18 and older; small bills only; no outside food or drinks)

Carnival

3-5 p.m. – Quiet hours for special needs guests; 5-11 p.m. general admission

In front of Dixon High School

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

SCHEDULE cont’d to page 20

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

SCHEDULE cont’d from page

SATURDAY

Jacob Gebhardt of Sterling wins the Reagan Run with a time of 15:24:25 during the 2022 Petunia Festival in Dixon. See the listing at left for information on this year’s run.

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

SCHEDULE cont’d from page 20

SATURDAY (cont’d)

Fishing Derby

Registration at 7 a.m., fishing 8-10 a.m. North side of the riverfront, between the Galena and Peoria avenue bridges Tennis Classic

614 Palmyra St.

Additional details unavailable as of press time

Al Morrison All-Star Baseball

9

SAUK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

9

Reagan Boyhood Home Tours

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

810 S. Hennepin Ave.

Bingo

Doors open at 10 a.m., game play noon-3 p.m.

Dixon Elks Lodge

1279 Franklin Grove Road

For ages 18 and older; small bills only; no outside food or drinks

Bean Bag Tournament

11 a.m.

BeanBlossom parking lot

106 River St.

Carnival

1-11 p.m.

In front of Dixon High School

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Dixon Dish

Noon-midnight

Food vendors in the downtown entertainment venue

Ticket required for entry

Ticketed entertainment area open

5-11 p.m. Friday

Downtown entertainment/food venue

Entry ticket, or $10 per person at the gate for ages 13 and up

See the music lineup on pages 24-25 for a list of performers.

SCHEDULE cont’d to page 22

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

It just wouldn’t be a Petunia Fest without petunias, and there plenty of them on this flower float from the 2022 Petunia Fest parade. See the listing on the next page for information on this year’s parade.

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

SCHEDULE cont’d from page 21

SUNDAY

Pancakes and Petunias

6-11 a.m.

Dixon High School cafeteria

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Community Worship

9 a.m.

Main Stage, on the riverfront

Old Settlers Log Cabin open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lincoln Statue Drive between Galena and Peoria avenue bridges

Carnival

1-11 p.m.

In front of Dixon High School

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Parade

1 p.m., lineup begins at 11 a.m.

Beginning at St. Mary’s Catholic School, 704 S. Peoria Ave., and heading north to Dixon High School

Dixon Dish

Noon-midnight

Food vendors in the downtown entertainment venue

Ticket required for entry

Ticketed entertainment area open

3 p.m.-midnight

Downtown entertainment/food venue

Entry ticket, or $10 per person at the gate for ages 13 and up

See the music lineup on pages 24-25 for a list of performers.

MONDAY

Pancakes and Petunias

6-11 a.m.

DHS cafeteria

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Brush & Bloom

9 a.m.-Noon

Old Lee County Courthouse

112 E. Second St.

SCHEDULE cont’d to page 23

Bubbles fill the air as ambassadors of the 2022 Petunia Fest march through the parade. See the listing at left for information on this year’s parade.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

SCHEDULE cont’d from page 22

MONDAY (cont’d)

Cruise-in Style Car Show

9 a.m.-3 p.m.; registration begins at 11 a.m., awards presented at 2 p.m. New location this year: John Dixon Park, 500 Block of North Galena Avenue. Cars, motorcycles, side-by-sides and other vehicles. Vehicles will enter off Galena onto West Morgan Street, where staff will direct them to their parking spot. Cars will leave onto Galena from West Chamberlain.

Old Settlers Log Cabin open

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lincoln Statue Drive between Galena and Peoria avenue bridges

Carnival

1-11 p.m.

In front of Dixon High School

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Dixon Dish

Noon-midnight

Downtown entertainment/food venue

Ticket required for entry

Ticketed entertainment area open

5 p.m.-midnight

Downtown entertainment/food venue

Entry ticket, or $10 per person at the gate for ages 13 and up

See the music lineup on pages 24-25 for a list of performers.

50/50 Drawing

9 p.m.

G&M Stella Main Stage, riverfront Fireworks

9:30 p.m.

Watch downtown from the riverfront

TUESDAY

Pancakes and Petunias

6-11 a.m.

DHS cafeteria

300 Lincoln Statue Drive Carnival

1-11 p.m.

In front of Dixon High School

300 Lincoln Statue Drive

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Fireworks light up the sky behind the Reagan statue during the 2022 Petunia Festival. See the listing at left for information on this year’s fireworks.

FRIDAY

Velvet 100

5:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

Bobby Shallenberger Jr., a long-time musician and multi-instrumentalist, puts his own creative twist on mellow dance music.

Invisible Cartoons

6:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

Chicago-area band performing original music that blends “catchy melodies, intoxicating voices, bounce-inducing beats, dynamic guitar/bass rhythms, spine-tingling keytar riffs, and dramatic wordplay about love, friendship, and fun.”

Dixon Municipal Band

7-9 p.m.

Old Lee County Courthouse lawn, 112 E. Second St.

Class Field Trip

8:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

Four-piece ’90s/00s pop punk cover band from Dixon.

Too Much Molly

9:30 p.m. Friday

G&M Stella/Main Stage

Chicago-based band covers everything from Elton John to Xanadu and Adele to

Rocky Horror.

SATURDAY

BAJA

5:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

Based out of northern and central Illinois; soft pop-rock funk sound featuring a live horn section.

Kirkland

6:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

“Coming from a small town a few hours west of Chicago, Kirkland knows how formidable it is to make a name in a scene as an outsider.”

Mirabilia

8:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

Morrison-based rock bande

The Trippin’ Billies

9:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

Dave Matthews tribute band.

SUNDAY

Slick Trigger

5:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

High energy country band from the Sauk Valley.

to page 25

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Fronting local band Class Field Trip, Ary Stephens works the crowd as the band pumps out ’90s pop and punk hits during the 2022 Petunia Festival. MUSIC cont’d

MUSIC cont’d from page 24

SUNDAY

Gina Venier

6:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

A Dixon native, Venier brings together blues, country and pop

3 Day Rain

8:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan

Stage

Five touring musicians who have all played different genres; described as “Skynyrd meets Aldean.”

Michael Ray

9:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

Florida native Michael Ray’s country music has racked up more than 1 billion global streams and earned him

two platinum and two gold singles.

MONDAY

Half Catholic

5:30 p.m.

G&M Kona/Reagan Stage

From Rockford and Dixon; four-piece guitar pop group with an affinity for the classics and an appreciation for the contemporary.

Timothy Morris Band

6:30 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

High energy rock music.

Everclear

10 p.m.

G&M Stella/Main Stage

Alternative rock band that started in Portland, Oregon, and went on to make three platinum albums.

SVM file photo

A couple dances during a performance by Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers during the 2022 Dixon Petunia Festival.

PETUNIA FESTIVAL

How do I purchase food or drinks at the Festival?

Food can purchased from vendors using cash. Drinks may be purchased using a ticket from our ticket booths. The tickets are then taken to our outdoor Festival bar to be used. Tips at the Petunia Festival bar go directly to the organization serving you.

What if my child is lost?

Where is the Petunia Festival located?

Although some Festival events are located throughout Dixon, most of them will be held on the riverfront area downtown. Where may I park?

Multiple parking spots are available downtown. Handicap parking is available on the corner of Hennepin Avenue and First Street, where Festival maps are also available.

Do I need a ticket for the downtown music venue?

Tickets are required for ages 13 and older. Entry is $10 a day at the gate, or presale tickets for the entire festival are available for $30 per person, the Petunia Festival headquarters, 77 S. Hennepin Ave., through noon June 30. Payments can be made with cash (exact change preferred) or Venmo.

Do I have to pay to walk through the carnival?

No, the carnival is separate from the downtown music venue. Each ride does cost money, and all tickets and wristbands for the carnival are to be purchased with the carnival. Presale tickets are available at a discounted price at the Petunia Festival Headquarters.

If I have to leave, may I come back in the music venue on the same day?

Yes. You will receive an armband upon entry each day.

Locate a Petunia Festival board member, a volunteer at a ticket booth or a police officer who can help with locating your child. Tip: Take your child’s photo right before you enter the Festival and keep it with you during the Festival. What should I do if I lose something at the festival?

We may have some lost-and-found items at the Festival office, but most items we turned over to the Dixon Police Department. You can check with an entrance gate attendant or a Festival board member.

What should I bring to Petunia Festival?

Your ID if you are of age and want to consume adult beverage, proper clothing, including shirts and shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, sweatshirt (if you get cool after the sun goes down), strollers for kids, bag/lawn chair

What should I NOT bring to the Festival?

Anything that may create a safety hazard or interfere with other patrons enjoyment of the Festival, including, but not limited to, the following: coolers of any size, backpacks (policy implemented by police for public safety, pets (with the exception of service animals, with documentation), illicit drugs, alcohol of any kind, food or beverages of any kind (exception: baby formula/food/milk), weapons of any kind, fire, tables, glass containers, bad attitudes. Please note that all bags could be subject to police search for everyone’s safety.

Source: petuniafestival.org/royalty

Petunia Festival Headquarters, 77 S. Hennepin Ave. will be open varying hours through June 29 to buy entertainment entry tickets, carnival wristband presale tickets, and 50/50 tickets. You may also sign up for the parade, to volunteer, or get information on other events. More information can also be found at petuniafestival.org and at “Dixon Petunia Festival, Inc.” on Facebook. Watch for reposts of submitted photos with the hashtag #petuniafest, #dixonlove, or #discoverdixon. Contact info: 815-288-PINK(7465) or petuniafest@gmail.com.

During this season of celebration and remembrance, my agency is proud to help protect your American Dream.

ProudSupporteroftheDixon PetuniaFestival