Garden of Dreams Gala Blooms in Front Royal

The sun was still high in the sky when guests began arriving at the Warren Heritage Society at 5 p.m. on Saturday for the inaugural Garden of Dreams Gala, hosted by Downtown Front Royal, Inc. (DFRI). The heat was unmistakable, and attendees instinctively gravitated toward the shade, gathering under wide tree canopies or ducking beneath tents. Despite the warmth, the atmosphere was cheerful and lively as community leaders, business owners, and longtime neighbors greeted one another, shared smiles, and prepared for an evening filled with purpose.

By the time the sun began to dip behind the trees, the historic grounds had transformed into a relaxed but elegant summer garden party. With music drifting through the air, tables dressed in soft linens, and the sounds of laughter and conversation all around, it was clear this would be a night to remember.

With music, gourmet food from On Cue, silent and live auctions, and a shared vision for a more vibrant downtown, the evening was filled with celebration, connection, and purpose. At the heart of the gala was one big goal: to raise funds for a long-awaited sign at the Main Street Commerce Gateway, a project designed to welcome visitors and locals into the historic heart of Front Royal.

“Downtown is the Heartbeat”

DFRI President Ellen Aders and Vice President Danielle Haase opened the evening with remarks about the organization’s mission and the vision behind the gala. “Downtown is the heartbeat of our community,” said Aders, who praised the volunteers and donors who have powered DFRI since its 2007 founding. She shared that the group’s current board hit the ground running in 2022 and now has its sights set on national Main Street accreditation.

She explained that this gala is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a symbol of the organization’s growing momentum and reflects a deeper belief that when downtown thrives, the entire community benefits.

A Sign for the Future

The featured fundraising project is a sign planned for the entrance to Main Street, where the “LOVE” letters currently sit. Many locals, Aders said, don’t even realize a sign used to be there, and visitors often drive by unaware of the historic district just a few blocks away.

Sketches by Town Manager Joe Petty envision a design that echoes the flagstone and roofline of the county courthouse, creating a visual link between both ends of Main Street. While the concept is still evolving, the goal is clear: give people a reason to slow down, turn in, and discover what downtown has to offer.

Storytelling, Legacy, and Leadership

The emotional center of the Garden of Dreams Gala came when Emily Marlow Beck, President of Marlow Automotive Group and daughter of the late John Marlow, took the microphone. Her remarks were deeply personal, weaving together family stories, civic values, and a compelling call to action that left many attendees visibly moved.

Beck opened her speech with a touch of humor and humility. “You try to prepare what you’re going to say,” she began, “but you don’t anticipate your introduction including a discussion about your dad. So it’s kind of like starting a game in your own end zone.” She paused briefly to gather herself. “I’m trying to hold it together, but that’s an emotional start.”

What followed was not just a tribute to her father, who played a key role in revitalizing downtown Front Royal, but a broader reflection on what community means, and why downtown matters so much.

“I was raised by two incredible storytellers,” she said. “When Dad would tell a story, you’d hang on every word, not just because it was a good story, but because he was going to teach you something,” Beck recalled moments in her father’s office, listening to him reflect on town projects and his hopes for the future. “He didn’t talk about himself much. But he’d talk to me. That’s where I learned what he dreamed of for Front Royal.”

Those dreams were never about grandeur or credit. “He didn’t care much for titles or status,” Beck said. “He wanted to know what you could build. What you could grow. Were you brave enough to create something instead of criticize?”

Her voice gained strength as she addressed the audience directly: “Look around. This event, this garden party, this project, it’s exactly the kind of thing he would have been proud of. Because you’re building something. You’re telling a story.”

And it wasn’t just her father who shaped her appreciation for the town. Her mother played a key role, though in her own colorful way. “She used to tell me how, when she was first dating Dad, she didn’t have money for all the fancy clothes she thought she needed to go to events with him,” Beck said with a smile. “So she went to Frank’s Clothing Store and got outfits on loan, then worked there to pay them off.”

The story, humorous and tender, drew laughter from the crowd, but Beck used it to make a larger point. “That’s how much she believed in something greater than herself. That’s what I saw growing up, people willing to sacrifice for this community.”

Downtown, she emphasized, is where those sacrifices become visible. “It’s where we put on display how we care for one another, how we welcome guests, how we solve problems, and get creative. When we gather downtown, we live out our shared values.”

She described how, even during her travels abroad in her younger years, Front Royal was always on her lips. “I’d tell people about the Mushroom Festival, the Festival of Leaves, the movies downtown. I think I even told my husband about Front Royal on our first date. Not just because I love to tell stories—but because this town gave me stories worth telling.”

Her words painted a picture of a place with deep roots and enduring character, a place that inspired love not just because of how it looked but because of what it stood for.

And while Beck acknowledged the pain of her father’s absence, she also saw his legacy alive in the very event unfolding before her. “I don’t pretend to know exactly what Dad would say about everything happening in town,” she said. “But I do know what he would be proud of. He’d be proud of the people here. The ones building something. The ones showing up. He believed in action over talk. In doing the work.”

She ended with a clear and poignant message to everyone gathered: “Tonight we’re not just bidding on auction items. We’re writing a story. So let’s make sure it’s one worth sharing.” Applause broke out as she stepped away from the mic, some clapping, some wiping away tears. In that moment, it was clear that the story she spoke of was already being written, one garden party at a time.

Blessings and Bidding

Michael Williams, a longtime community member and friend of the Marlow family, offered a heartfelt blessing before dinner was served. “This is my town,” he said simply, capturing the shared sentiment that echoed through the evening.

The live auction, led by local personality Tom Eshelman, featured standout items including an original artwork by Melissa Ichiuji, a vacation package donated by George McIntyre of the Apple House, and other luxurious getaways. The silent auction overflowed with goods and services donated by local merchants, reflecting the strong connections and mutual support within the downtown business community.

Looking Ahead

Saturday’s Garden of Dreams gala may have been DFRI’s first large-scale fundraiser, but judging by its success and the energy of the crowd, it won’t be the last. As Aders announced, “Each one of you here tonight has helped this project come to be.”

With plans underway for signage, strategic development, and continued community engagement, Downtown Front Royal, Inc.’s work is just beginning. The organization invites residents, visitors, and future volunteers to be part of the journey.

For more on upcoming projects, events, or volunteer opportunities, visit downtownfrontroyal.com.