Flower lovers will have chance to shine at fair

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Master Gardener volunteer Amanda Mrzywka is helping to organize the first-ever Flower Show at the 2015 Orleans County 4-H Fair.

KNOWLESVILLE – Something new and fun is planned for flower lovers at the annual Orleans County 4-H Fair in July.

For the first time, the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program and 4-H Youth Development are sponsoring a Flower Show, which will be held in the Lartz Building on the fairgrounds.

There are Open and Junior Divisions and everyone is welcome to enter.

The show will take place throughout the week of fair, from July 27 to Aug. 1. Judging of exhibits is set for Monday afternoon to kick off the fair. Following judging, the exhibits will be on display all week next to the Master Gardener booth.

“We are so excited to be having our first annual flower show here at Orleans County 4-H Fair,” said Master Gardener volunteer Amanda Mrzywka, who is helping to organize the event. “There is a class for everyone. We hope that this is a success and we are excited to see everyone’s creative flair. They can let their minds go wild. The more creative, the better.”

There are ten categories for entries: Cut flower bouquet (single or multiple stems); kissing ball design; miniature gardens or fairy gardens; dried flower or dried flower bouquets; edible container arrangement; foliage or flowering houseplants; made for the shade; bountiful baskets; pedestal or regular urns for sun; painting or drawing of a flower garden.

Plants must predominate – no artificial plant material is permitted in an exhibit. Exhibits must remain on the fairgrounds during the entire fair and exhibitors must keep entries in show condition.

“Plant material must be kept fresh and/or watered as needed. Unsightly or wilted plant material must be replaced,” general rules state.

Entries may be made individually, as groups/ organizations, or as businesses. Up to three entries may be submitted per individual per class. Groups or businesses may submit one entry per class. 4-H youth may elect to show as Open, but may not exceed three entries per class total.

Pre-registration is due 4:30 p.m. on July 20. Entries can be dropped off at the Lartz Building on Sunday, July 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. or on July 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition to the Flower Show, a variety of programs will be held each evening (except Wednesday) at 6 p.m. by Master Gardeners and local gardening clubs.

On Wednesday evening, July 29, a Fresh Bouquet Competition is planned and open to the public beginning at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $10. Register the week of fair at the fair office.

More information including rules, entry cards and registration forms is available online by clicking here (then click on fair tab) or at the Cooperative Extension at the fairgrounds, 12690 State Rt. 31.