Petunia Festival

The Reagan Run 5K was held Saturday, July 5, 2025, during the 61st annual Dixon Petunia Festival in Dixon.

In a news release issued Saturday, July 5, 2025, the police department announced what to do if inclement weather appears and people need to take shelter quickly.

Nice weather and sweet rides made for a fun time Friday, July 4, 2025, at John Dixon Park for the annual Petunia Fest car show. From vintage to modern rides, the park was filled with vehicles of all kinds for fans to check out and admire.

1990s music stalwarts Blind Melon and The Smoking Popes take the main stage Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Dixon's Petunia Fest. The fest is in full swing with lots more on tap for the weekend.

Sweet rides were put on display Friday, July 4, 2025, at John Dixon Park for Petunia Fest's annual car show.

From live music and food vendors to car shows and carnivals, here is a list of local places to celebrate the holiday.

The much-anticipated summer event will feature live bands, a carnival, parade, fireworks and more.

Petunia Fest was in full bloom Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as royalty met with kids to make crafts at the Dixon library.

Nancy Gates, 90, has participated in nearly every Reagan Run 5K, motivated not by medals, but by the joy of being a part of the community.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 2 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark with an update of news coverage across the area including extensive Dixon Petunia Festival reports.

The Sterling/Rock Falls Jaycee’s fireworks display ignites at dusk (about 9:30 p.m.) Thursday, July 3, and OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center will sponsor Dixon's Petunia Festival Family Fun Night from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 4.

Police Chief Ryan Bivins asks those attending the festival to keep an eye on younger children so they don't get lost; to ask someone for a ride if you've been drinking at the festival; and to call police if you see something that doesn't feel right.

This week's Reagan Run 5K column was written by Brittany Geiger, a longtime Reagan Run 5K participant and former Petunia Fest Board member. Geiger writes that the 5K marked the beginning of a life-long journey for herself and her son, Dean.

The prizes are in place and rides ready to roll as the 61st annual Dixon Petunia Fest carnival is set to begin Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, which was devastated when three of its members were killed while participating in the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade, have rebuilt their troupe and will be performing in this year's Dixon Petunia Festival parade.

Reagan Run 5K participant invites everyone to come out for the race that will be July 5 during the annual Dixon Petunia Festival.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 24 featured the second vice president of the 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival, Leah Nelson, previewing the entire event starting with pre-festival information leading up to the four-day celebration, running July 3 through 6.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 23 featured 2025 Reagan Run Committee member Nancy Varga, spotlighting the 25th Reagan Run 5K Run/Walk coming up on Saturday, July 5, during the annual Dixon Petunia Festival.

What many people don’t realize is that the Reagan Run isn’t just for “professional” runners; it also features a special event just for kids.

Now in its 24th year, the Kids’ Fun Run first launched in 2001 as an event to introduce young children to the joy of running.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 10 featured 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival Board President Bethany Wright.

Race director: The decision was made to move things around for our 25th anniversary run to keep everyone safe with the construction in the wooded section.

Blind Melon and The Smoking Popes will perform on the Main Stage Thursday, July 3.

Discover Dixon will hold its annual Brush and Bloom event during the Petunia Festival from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, July 4, on the old Lee County Courthouse’s sidewalks, 298 to 200 S. Ottawa Ave., Dixon.

A Petunia Festival tradition spanning 60 years is changing hands.

Cleary: "This year being the 25th Reagan Run, I look forward to witnessing the community support that comes along with the event."

Propagating at Nichol's Greenhouse since early April, the pink flowers have grown and flourished to add a spark of color and a pleasant aroma for those passing by.

Since its beginnings in 2000 – with just 315 runners – the Reagan Run has grown into a community cornerstone, peaking at over 1,600 participants in 2016. Today, the event reliably draws 1,000 to 1,200 runners and walkers.

Baskets of petunias take their places in Dixon on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Whether you’re a walker, runner, cheerleader or coach, don’t miss your chance to be part of something special.

Members of the Dixon in Bloom Committee met Friday, April 4, 2025, to plant over 6,700 petunia plants in baskets that will decorate the city.

The Petunia Festival parade rolled down Dixon's streets Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Riverdale grad Tommy Murray said the renewed competition with Sterling’s Dale Johnson helped push him to a win in Saturday’s Reagan Run 5K in Dixon. Ari De La Cerda repeated as women's champion.

Lots of fun was happening at Petunia Fest on Saturday, July 6, 2024. The Reagan Run kicked off the day followed by a fishing derby and art show at John Dixon Park and music in the entertainment area.

A few dozen cars were put on display Friday, July 5, 2024 for the Petunia Fest Cruise-In style car show held at John Dixon park.

A Petunia Fest Family Fun Night held Friday, July 5, 2024, on the grounds of the Old Lee County Courthouse in Dixon featured games, music and ice cream and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Check out the scene for day two of Dixon's Petunia Fest on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Dixon's Petunia Fest got the party started Thursday, July 4, 2024, with a variety of rock musicians taking the stage in the entertainment area.

There’s still time to sign up for the annual run on July 6.

Petunia Fest is off and running Wednesday, July 3, 2024, with several events, including crafts with royalty, the carnival and Dixon Dish.

The Sterling Municipal Band will celebrate the Independence Day holiday with a July 3 concert. Petunia Fest runs from July 3-7 in Dixon.

The Dixon Municipal Band will present its annual patriotic concert in conjunction with the Petunia Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, on the Old Lee County Courthouse lawn.

With Petunia Fest right around the corner, workers started to set up the rides and attractions Monday, July 1, 2024, along the riverfront in Dixon.

The Dixon Petunia Festival blooms July 3-7 in downtown Dixon.

Join Discover Dixon for a beautiful morning of painting, fun and making memories together and share your creative vision on a sidewalk square from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 4, at the Old Lee County Courthouse.

Bellson Music Festival is Saturday in Rock Falls.

AJ Schmall and Jonathan Rivera, both 23, became friends in the first grade while attending Dixon Public Schools. In 2020, they formed the band BAJA, whose newest single, “Hometown Whiskey,” is now streaming on all major platforms.

Whether you’re a race enthusiast, casual runner or even a fast-paced walker, you are invited to take part in the upcoming Reagan Run 5K.

Local groups work to prepare the petunias for the streets of Dixon. A total of 306 baskets will be going up around the city early next month.

Dixon High School senior Molly Oliver has appeared in many plays and musicals since her fifth grade debut and was chosen to Petunia royalty this last summer as Pinky Petunia.