Our Story
Any visitor to Ludington will tell you that one of the most beautiful sights during the summer months is the Petunia Parade. Each spring, hundreds of volunteers gather along Ludington Avenue and the Ludington Municipal Marina to plant 32,000 red, white, and purple petunias. Started by Ellery and Sue Sabin in 1988, the Petunia Parade has become an annual tradition.
By the time of the July 4th Freedom Festival, the petunias are in full bloom, and a wave of color lines the avenue, from Corewell Health Ludington Hospital all the way to the Lake Michigan beach. Each block is assigned a captain, who is responsible for supervising a crew to maintain the petunias in that block. From planting the petunias to watering and weeding, it literally "takes a village" to keep this tradition going.
When all preparations are in place, early on a Saturday morning during the third week of May, the petunia beds come alive with a buzz of activity, as community members gather for Planting Day - the annual "rite of spring" for Petunia Parade participants. Block captains and crews of all ages, bringing spades and trowels, join in a "planting flurry" and by noon, the last petunia is in the ground. Thus, the summer season is officially underway for residents of Ludington. Now, and for the remainder of the summer, the petunias are maintained by their "block families," who come together twice each month on "Community Weeding Day" to keep a watchful eye on encroaching weeds. As the warm summer sun shines upon them, the petunias continue to grow and flourish, adding a splash of color and creating a festive aura to the city.
After residents and visitors have said good-bye to summer, with a sense of nostalgia, block captains and their crews of volunteers gather in mid-September to remove the petunias.
Hopefully, community members and visitors to Ludington will never have to imagine a summer without beautiful petunias. The cost for each planting season is approximately $10,000. Ludington Petunia Parade is supported partially by the (4-5%) interest portion of the Ellery and Sue Sabin Community Foundation endowment fund, but relies on donations from private citizens and businesses to cover most of its cost. Contributions in any amount are always appreciated and acknowledged.
Ludington Petunia Parade Board Members
Back row (left to right): Mary Lou Ohnsman, Linda Leahy, Karla Cain, Wally Cain
Front row (left to right): Mike Genter, Sarah Genson, Cathy Webster, Kathy Radtke, Ted Radtke
2022 Honorary Board Member
Bob Womack
Ad Hoc
Board Member
Debbie Finger
Legal Consultant
The Ludington Petunia Parade, a 501(c)3, is a volunteer project dedicated to the beautification of the Ludington community, funded by businesses, industries, and interested donors. The Ludington Petunia Parade board continues the tradition started by Ellery and Sue Sabin in 1988.
The Ludington Petunia Parade Board appreciates the support of the many citizens who enjoy this community project.