Each summer, the streets of Montague and Whitehall burst into color, lined with lush, overflowing petunia baskets swaying in the breeze. But keeping these flowers thriving all season long doesn’t just happen — it’s thanks to a small army of dedicated volunteers and the iconic Petunia Patrol truck.
Run by the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Petunia Patrol is a long-standing community beautification effort that began in the early 2000s, evolving from the Chamber’s original 1989 beautification projects. Today, it’s one of the most visible and beloved symbols of local pride, sustained by an incredible team of volunteers who water baskets three mornings a week.
How It Works
At the center of this effort is the Petunia Patrol truck, fitted with a water tank. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, volunteer crews take turns driving the truck through both downtowns, carefully watering about 68 hanging baskets and numerous potted plants. The watering starts early, often by 7 a.m., before traffic picks up or the sun heats the pavement, and it takes about 2–3 hours to complete the route.
Longtime volunteers like Steve and Leslie Salter, who have been part of the Wednesday crew since 2018, describe it as both a commitment and a joy. “When we start driving, we’re reminded how beautiful the mornings are here,” Leslie says. “It’s small-town life, and it just feels good to be part of it.”
Photo courtesy of White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau
Behind the Scenes
Preparations for the season begin as early as March. That’s when the White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau reaches out to Weesies Brothers Garden Center & Landscaping — a fourth-generation, family-owned business based in Montague — to place the order for the flowers. Weesies grows the vibrant hanging baskets in their greenhouse, preparing them with nutrient-rich soil so they’ll bloom all summer.
Once the flowers are ready, the Departments of Public Works (DPW) step in. Volunteers from the Chamber pick up the baskets and deliver them to drop-off points in each city, and then the DPWs handle the heavy lifting — hanging the water-filled baskets securely in place across downtown.
Photos courtesy of White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau
Powered by Community
What keeps the program running is the generosity of local sponsors and donors. The 2025 sponsors include:
- Truck Sponsor: Don Rypma Chevrolet GMC Inc (also providing essential maintenance on the truck to ensure it’s ready to roll every summer)
- Gold Sponsors:
- Boardwell Mechanical Services Inc.
- Complete Restoration & Cleaning Services, Inc.
- HarborLight Credit Union
- Legacy of Caring, Residential Assisted Living
- Lighthouse Title Agency – White Lake, LLC
- Muskegon & Montague Manpower
- MasterTag
- Scheid Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.
- Shoreline Restoration & Construction LLC
These local businesses believe in keeping the White Lake area vibrant and beautiful, helping make the Petunia Patrol’s summer mission possible.
Photos courtesy of White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau
More Than Just Flowers
According to Chamber Executive Director Stephanie Ware, the Petunia Patrol is about more than just plants. “It’s not just watering flowers, it’s helping create a feeling of community pride,” she says. “Visitors and locals alike stop by all summer to compliment how beautiful our downtowns look, and that wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers.”
Volunteers like the Salters are often waved at or honked at in thanks as they drive along their routes. While the job can be physically demanding — hauling hoses, managing the truck, and sometimes refilling water tanks multiple times on dry days — the reward comes in knowing they’re part of something that brightens the whole town.
Photos courtesy of Steve and Leslie Salter
Interested in Helping?
The Chamber is always looking for additional volunteers and substitute helpers. “We’d love to have people ride along and see what it’s like,” says Steve.
If you’re interested in joining the Petunia Patrol or learning more, reach out to the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at www.whitelake.org.
For more local stories and updates, visit CatchMark Community at catchmarkcommunity.com.
