NORWICH – Gardeners of varying skill-sets across the county still have time to head out to their flower beds and water their blossoms so they are perked up and ready to go “Down on the Farm” for the annual Flower Show at the Chenango County Fair, August 6-11. All entries must be submitted before noon on Saturday, August 3.
Members of all five Chenango County Garden Clubs – Norwich, North Norwich, Town and Country, Greene and Oxford – have been tirelessly preparing Floral Hall for what has become a popular attraction at the fair.
Admittance to the Flower Show is open to anyone who has paid the fair admission.
All classes of entry for this year’s “Down on the Farm” themed event are open to residents of Chenango County or any member of a Chenango County garden club, unless otherwise specified.
Entry cards are supplied by the fair office and must be properly filled out and submitted by this Saturday, and all entries need to be done in advance, according to garden club committee member Jane Clement.
Horticulture entries will be placed on Sunday, August 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday, August 5 from 7 to 10:30 a.m.
“Of course, there is Horticulture where you bring the best of your best flower or plant, and children are encouraged to bring in a flower they have grown,” said Clement, who added, “Make sure any flowers you bring are in water.”
Design entries – a different category from Horticulture entries – will be placed Sunday, August 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Monday, August 5 from 7 a.m. until noon.
Once an entry is placed it is considered an exhibit, and exhibitors must vacate the floor of Floral Hall by noon on Monday or as soon as their entry is complete - whichever comes sooner.
Judging will begin at 1 p.m., Monday, and will use the standard system of awarding; one of the following will be awarded per class or sub-class: first place blue ribbon, second place red ribbon, and third place yellow ribbon. One or more white ribbons will be awarded for honorable mention.
There are a number of other awards exhibitors have the opportunity to win granted they enter the Flower Show: Award of Agricultural Excellence, Arboreal Award, Collector’s Showcase Award, Grower’s Choice Award, Designer’s Choice Award, Club Competition Award, and Award of Design Excellence.
The local club awards include the Novice Award, presented to the highest scoring exhibit in a class for someone who has yet to win a blue ribbon at the Chenango County Fair Flower Show; and the Garden Clubs of Chenango County Silver Bowl, awarded to the highest scoring exhibit in a class designated for competition among the garden clubs. The winner of the Silver Bowl will remain in possession of the bowl until next year’s show.
Said Clement, “There is a design class for anyone who has never won a blue ribbon which is Grandma’s Feather Bed - a bed tray for one.”
For the young gardeners or flower enthusiasts, the Youth Horticulture section is open to any youth residing in Chenango County, and each youth must designate their age on the back of the entry card; “Juniors” for pre-school through elementary school, “Intermediate” for either ages 8-12 or middle school grades, or “Advanced” for 13-18, or high school grades. Entry fees are not required for youth exhibits.
In keeping with the “Down on the Farm” theme, some category titles include: Grandma’s Kitchen, Family Tree, A Dish to Pass, Cream of the Crop, By the Bushel, Along the Fence, Hoe Down and Grandma’s Garden.
It’s not too late to make sure flowers are in prime shape for next week’s show. Clement encouraged anyone interested in entering – youths, beginners, and experts – to enter by Saturday at noon.
Complete official rules and the floor plan can be found at chenangocountyfair.homestead.com, exhibitor information, under the department H - flowers tab.