Floriculture Department rooted in tradition at Clay County Fair
The tradition continues at the Clay County Fair with the Creative Living Center being a location that hosts local art, culinary creations, floral designs, and different demonstrations, Sept. 8-16.
A portion of that blue ribbon tradition is the Floriculture department, which catches fairgoer’s attention with roses, gladioli, dahlias, annuals, perennials, container-grown plants, trees and shrubs daily.
Along with these plants, the gourd show will take place Sept. 8-10. The decorative gourds can be formed into birdhouses, musical instruments, holiday décor, dolls, lamps, or jewelry and can be entered into this competitive class.
“We are excited to have the educational exhibits in the gourd category back this year,” said Floriculture Superintendent Victoria Rute. “This allows exhibitors to teach other people how to grow and design with gourds.”
The department is unique because there are different exhibits displayed throughout the nine days of the Fair. The opening show days, Sept. 8-10, will include gladioli, trees and shrubs, and gourds. Roses, annuals and perennials will be displayed on Sept. 11-12. The open class show will take place on Sept. 13-14 along with the container-grown plants. Ending the 2018 Fair will be dahlias on Sept. 15-16.
Along with educational exhibits, there are exhibits and categories for all ages and experience levels. “You do not need to be a member of the garden club to exhibit in the Floriculture Department,” said Rute.
There are no entry fees and exhibitors also do not need to be residents of Clay County. New exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their creations at the Fair. Every age group, from age 2 to 92, will find a class to enter.
Check out the exhibitor handbook online at www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by August 15. All exhibits will be received beginning at 6:00pm the day before the show until 10:30am on the first day of the show.
About The Clay County Fair & Events Center Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 300 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair. Known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair” since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 325,000 guests each September for nine-days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at claycountyfair.com.