Petunia Festival is dear to the hearts of royalty court

DIXON – The young people who comprise the royalty court for the Petunia Festival share many common traits, devotion to their hometown and involvement in a range of activities being their most prominent.

Most of all, they have a sense of this moment: the importance of serving as ambassadors for the festival’s return after the pandemic put it on hiatus last year.

Festival queen Marlee Oros says her family has bonded over the festival.

“It’s been a time to come together, to watch the parade, eat some good food, hang out,” she says.

While she has marched in the parade as a Dixon High school cheerleader, being part of the court “is taking it up another level.”

Marlee is the daughter of Andrew and Mary Oros. She tutors younger students and serves on Faith Assembly of Grand Detour’s worship team.

“It’s exciting. I actually get to be part of the experience that has made my family so close.”

Logan Moeller says being king of the court has helped deepen his connections with other people in the community, and expand his circle of acquaintances and friends.

“Dixon has been a great place for me to grow up,” he says. “Like a small town, everybody can come together and everybody knows each other.”

Logan is the son of Matt and Cheryl Moeller. He works at Coffee Crush, and helps out with his family’s dance studio, Centerstage.

Madison Cumberland landed the role of Pinky Petunia, and she’ll be wearing the pink bonnet throughout the festival.

“It’s a nice uplifting event for the summer,” she says. For her, the festival has meant going to the carnival with friends. “Always great memories going there.”

Madison is the daughter of Michele and Troy Cumberland. She has served as a festival ambassador and is active in dance, theater and soccer.

The attendants are Jacob Schumacher and Ellenor Zimmerman.

For Ellenor’s part, bringing back the festival “shows how strong the community is.” She’s looking forward to sharing that with the next generation.

“Dixon means everything to me,” she says. “It’s where I’m going to bring my kids back and say, ‘This is where I grew up,’ and then share all my memories.”

Ellenor is the daughter of Corinne and Eric Zimmerman. She is president of the Key Club and takes part in math team, theater and track.

Schumacher isn’t shy about saying “Dixon packs a punch!” He’s enjoyed all the aspects of the festival in the past, but his heart is with the pancake breakfasts.

“The thing I’m excited about was the pancake breakfast,” he says. “I”ve always gone to it with my grandparents, but I’ve never had the chance to serve. I feel it’s a great place to gather early in the morning before you go to the carnival.”

Jacob is the son of Kandi and Matt Schumacher. He is involved in theater and enjoys scuba diving and works for his family’s construction company.

Because the 2020 festival was cancelled, members from last year’s court will also take part in activities. They are Emily Drew as queen, Isaiah Kuehn as king, Lauren Dallas as Pinky Petunia, and Malori Kelly as attendant.