“Come Home” to the Floriculture Department at the Fair

The Creative Living Center will be a popular location to take in local art, culinary skills, floral designs and a variety of demonstrations at the 2017 Clay County Fair, Sept. 9-17.

The Floriculture department continues to expand and grow in popularity. Fairgoers will enjoy roses, gladioli, dahlias, annuals, perennials, container-grown plants, trees and shrubs daily. As extended last year, the gourd show will once again be a three-day-long event (Sept. 9-11). Decorative gourds can be formed into birdhouses, dolls, musical instruments, jewelry, holiday décor, or lamps to be entered into a competing class.

Educational exhibits have also been added within the gourd category to teach people how to grow and design with gourds. Youth are also encouraged to participate in this expanding category, with two youth classes; intermediate, ages 8-12, and advanced, ages 13-17.

“We are really trying to ‘grow’ the next generation of floral gardeners by encouraging youth participation,” says Victoria Rute, floriculture superintendent.

In addition to gourds, fairy gardens are a main focus for the Floriculture department this year. This is a fun landscaping/scenery category lasting two days (Sept. 14-15) that encourage participants of all ages to show their creativity and use their imagination. Fairy gardens do not necessarily put emphasis on plant material, but must have some live plant material(s) to qualify.

There are still openings in several design classes including decorative niches, pedestals, mantels, and tables. Also, for those still interested in participating, there will be open classes on Sept. 14 for both botanical as well as floral designs. Beginning this year, all plant material used in a design must be listed on a card; either botanical and/or common name will be acceptable.

Check out the exhibitor handbooks to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Clay County Fair.