Danish Festival creator named grand marshal


GREENVILLE - She was the one who got it all started.

And now, 45 years later, the silver-haired Dorothy Oliver with twinkling eyes will be honored as the 2009 grand marshal for the Danish Festival this August.

Dorothy was raised in Dowagiac, later studying voice and music at Albion College. She met her husband, Clark, in college and after marrying in 1945, they decided to make Greenville their home in 1947, raising their three sons here.

In 1964, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce asked the community to provide ideas that would help promote the city of Greenville. Greenville business owners chipped in to provide a cash prize for the best idea and Dorothy's submission for a Danish Festival won.

"There were other people who had the same idea for a Danish-themed festival," Dorothy humbly admits. "I just won the contest because I had come up with an itinerary and some events."

Though she has no Danish ancestors to her knowledge, Dorothy said she felt the rich history of the area should be preserved for future generations.

"I thought the Danish heritage was something to hang on to," she said.

Dorothy has attended all of the 44 previous Danish Festivals, serving as grand marshal with her husband in 1989 for the festival's 25th anniversary. She can't wait for this year's festivities to begin on Aug. 20.

"Of course, it's become a lot larger," she said, comparing current festivals to the one-day event back in the 1960s. "They wanted something that would become something as big as the Tulip Festival in Holland. And I think it has, pretty much."

Dorothy said her family loves to gather in Greenville for the festival, attending parades, band concerts and shopping through the vendors.

"I take in as much as I can," she said. "It's great to see all the people."

Dorothy keeps herself busy in the Rockford Community Orchestra, the Per Gradus literary club at Flat River Community Library, volunteering for Montcalm Area Reading Council (MARC) and caring for her Shetland sheepdog, "Buddy."

"Greenville really is a beautiful city I think," she said. "The festival brings in a lot of people. It helps them see what a nice community we are."

One of last year's grand marshals, Lori Hansen, said she and her husband, Nels, encourage Dorothy to attend as many events as possible and enjoy the festivities.

"Being grand marshal was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only be treated like royalty, but most importantly, be a representative for our community and our Danish heritage," Lori Hansen said. "It is an opportunity to brag about Greenville and the Danish Festival and promote all the good things about both."

The 45th annual festival is scheduled for Aug. 20 to 23 throughout Greenville. Visit www.danishfestival.org for more information.

jdudenhofer@staffordgroup.com