NORWICH – Every year four local Federated garden clubs present a standard flower show at the fair. Members of eh Oxford, Greene, Town and Country and the Norwich garden clubs take turns planning, setting up, inviting the judges, showing horticultural samples they grew and displaying vinettes which include a fresh flower arrangement.
This year the theme of the show is “The Sound of Music.” The general public is also invited to display flowers and plants or to enter one of the design classes. Sign up information is available at the fair office gate some weeks before the opening of the fair.
Many blue ribbons, well blue stickers, were awarded this year. The following information is about the TOP awards only:
The judging for the Flower Show titled “The Sound of Music” was held at the Chenango County Fair Monday, August 4th. Despite the rainy weather many outstanding flowers were shown by the hardy gardeners of Chenango County.
Marilyn Carley won two top awards for her red grandiflora rose “Montezuma.” Both the Horticultural Excellence and the Award of Merit now hang by her spicy smelling rose.
Marilyn Carley also took an Award of Merit for her pink garden phlox “Bright Eyes.”
An Award of Merit was also won by Rachael Laundry for a yellow nasturtium.
It may not be Christmas but an orange and cream colored amaryllis named “Zombie” brought another Award of Merit for grower R. Sarpin of Norwich.
Super gardner and designer Joy Colletta won an Arboreal Award for her broad leaf evergreen “Pieris Japonica.”
Look for the stunning combination container of mixed foliage, featuring new varities of plants in shades of black and chanteuse also by Joy Colletta. It won the Growers Choice Award.
Several young people also entered flowers in the Flower Show. A red, white and blue ribbon Youth Award was won by Stephen Kuhn for a set of three mini pink Zinnias.
A ceramic pot of “Spicy Globe Basil” won another Youth Award for Sarin from Sow and Grow.
While you are checking out the Horticultural entrees be sure to admire the design entries which feature fresh arrangements.
Top design awards were won by Karen Kamsoke, who captured both the Sweepstakes Award and the Designers Choice Award for her interpretation of a table setting for “An Ordinary Couple” with white china, edged with silver, a blue table cloth. The table was well dressed with a floral centerpiece.
The Club Competition Award was presented to the Oxford Garden Club for their interpretation of the song “My Favorite Things” (from the Sound of Music) using furniture, flowers and of course favorite things, featuring an arrangement of pink roses and white Pee Gee hydrangeas and a girl (doll) in white dresses.
Come and pick out your favorite things at the “Sound of Music” flower show at the Chenango County Fair.