Ludington Petnunia Parade planting May 18

May 1, 2013

LUDINGTON — The 26th annual Ludington Petnunia Parade is scheduled for planting on Saturday, May 18 beginning at 10 a.m. The Ludington Optimist Club will be serving lunch for the volunteers after the planting at the City Park ( planters do not need to have clean hands to have lunch).

The parade was started in 1987 by Ellery and Sue Sabin whose goal was to help beautify Ludington by planting petunias along Ludington Avenue and along the streets by the Ludington Municipal Marina.

The 30,000 red, white and blue petunias are grown at Gustafson’s Greenhouse. They will peak in July and August.

“We are continually in search of community members and businesses to assist with planting and upkeep of the petunias,” said Chairwoman Donna Brown. “They need to be weeded and nurtured throughout the entire summer to keep them looking the greatest.”

The Petunia Parade is also in need of financial donations to help with the budgeted expenses. “Costs for planting and maintaining the petunias increase each year,” Brown said. “Community support is crucial to the success of the Petunia Parade. Donation sponsors will be recognized in the following categories for the amount they donate:

Above $500.00 Golden Petunia Sponsor

$ 200.00 to $ 499.00 Silver Petunia Sponsor

$ 100.00 to $ 199.00 Bronze Petunia Sponsor

Below $ 100.00 Honorable Mention

DONATIONS can be mailed to:

PO Box 5 ∙ Ludington, MI 49431

This year you will see donation canister around the Ludington Area to collect donations to help with expenses for the 2013 planting year. If you would like more information, or to volunteer in any capacity, please contact Donna Brown at 231-301-0699.

Planting, weeding and pulling schedule for the petunias:

Saturday May 18, 2013 Planting

Saturday June 1, 2013 Weeding

Saturday June 22, 2013 Weeding

Saturday July 27, 2013 Weeding

Saturday August 24, 2013 Weeding

Saturday September 14, 2013 Pulling

New block sponsors:

Doug & Kelly Shoup

Elks Lodge #736

Jim Myers

Kelly Aloe & Dan King DDS