Virginia's Highland County Fair
Virginia's Highland County Fair

FLORICULTURE EXHIBITS

Chairpersons: Caroline Smith

Guidelines

  1. All entries must follow the exhibiting rules and regulations given on page 3.
  2. Please identify each Horticulture entry, either with a temporary label on the container or with a list to be read out as the entries are handed in. Don’t enter an unknown plant. Any entry wrongly identified will not be judged.
  3. Horticulture entries will be exhibited as a specimen — only one spike, stem, or stalk (which may carry multiple flowers). Leaves which will be under water must be removed. You may not exhibit dried material.
  4. Judges need to see the stem, so use a colorless, label-free container. If necessary, wrap the stem with enough paper or plastic to hold the flower head above the rim of the container.
  5. Please use appropriate containers — a small flower in a small container, for example, and heavy sunflowers in big jars weighted with stones so as not to tip over.
  6. A $10 Award of Merit will be given for the Best Horticultural Exhibit to Adult, Senior Youth, and Junior Youth exhibitors.
  7. Ribbons/Prize: Blue $3, Red $2, and White $1 for all ages.
  8. The more entries the better! A $5 Sweepstakes award will be given to the Adult, Senior Youth, and Junior Youth exhibitor winning the most money in combined Horticulture and Artistic classes.

The class descriptions can be downloaded here (PDF)

Division I: Horticulture

Section 1: Adults, 18 and Older

Tall Flowers

  1. Amaranthus
  2. Calendula
  3. Celosia
  4. Cleome
  5. Dahlia
    1. Large — more than 5″ diameter
    2. Small — less than 5″ diameter
    3. Cactus
    4. Pompom
  6. Gladiolus
  7. Sunflower

All Other Flowers

  1. Aster
  2. Black-eyed Susan
  3. Chrysanthemum
  4. Cone Flower (Echinacea)
  5. Coreopsis
  6. Cosmos
  7. False Dragonhead
  8. Gaillardia
  9. Marigold
    1. African (smaller, two colors)
    2. French (larger, one color)
  10. Petunia
    1. Single
    2. Double
  11. Roses
    1. Floribunda Tea
    2. Miniature
    3. Any other variety
  12. Sedum
  13. Snapdragon
  14. Viola (Pansy)
  15. Yarrow
  16. Zinnia

Herbs

  1. Basil
  2. Oregano/Marjoram
  3. Sage
  4. Thyme

Flowering Shrubs

  1. Butterfly Bush
  2. Hydrangea
  3. Rose of Sharon

Miscellaneous

  1. Any Annual not listed (2 specimen ONLY)
  2. Any Perennial not listed (2 specimen ONLY)

Section 2: Senior Youth, Ages 13–17

  1. Aster
  2. Black-eyed Susan
  3. Chrysanthemum
  4. Cosmos
  5. Dahlia
    1. Large — more than 5″ diameter
    2. Small — less than 5″ diameter
  6. Gladiolus
  7. Marigold
  8. Nasturtium
  9. Petunia
  10. Snapdragon
  11. Sunflower
  12. Viola (Pansy)
  13. Zinnia
  14. Any Herb (2 specimen only)
  15. Any Flowering Shrub (2 specimen only)
  16. Any Annual not listed (2 specimen only)
  17. Any Perennial not listed (2 specimen only)

Section 3: Junior Youth, Ages 6–12

  1. Aster
  2. Black-eyed Susan
  3. Chrysanthemum
  4. Cosmos
  5. Dahlia
  6. Gladiolus
  7. Marigold
  8. Nasturtium
  9. Petunia
  10. Snapdragon
  11. Sunflower
  12. Viola (Pansy)
  13. Zinnia
  14. Any Herb (2 specimen only)
  15. Any Flowering Shrub (2 specimen only)
  16. Any Annual not listed (2 specimen only)
  17. Any Perennial not listed (2 specimen only)

Section 4: Youth, Under 6 Years

Must be grown by the child.

  1. Any Annual (2 per child)
  2. Any Perennial (2 per child)

Division II: Artistic

Theme: 75 Years of Mountains and Memories

Sketches of the flower designs are available on the website: www.HighlandCountyFairVA.com

Descriptions

Oval — All the oval’s outer edges are light; the largest flowers and strongest colors are placed at the low center of the oval.

Crescent — The main line can be tipped or equally high on both sides. The focal area is low and contains the heaviest material.

Half Circle — Center line is low with downward curved lines stretched out over the side of the container. Focal point is in the center of the design.

Set Triangle — Must be a right triangle with the high side on the left or right; weight concentrated at the base of the vertical line; outer tips are light.

Perpendicular — Arrangement is very tall with a tight mass of flowers near the mouth of the container.

Hogarth Line — Gives a feeling of rhythm in its swing from its tall tip over the center of the container, forming a pleasant and graceful curve.

Not Permitted (unless noted)

  • Artificial flowers, fruit, foliage, or any other form of artificial plant material
  • Coloring of plant material
  • Bases, mats, and accessories in any classes unless otherwise specified
  • Flowers and foliage should not touch the tabletop
  • No arrangement may exceed 24″ tall or 20″ wide, including the container

Award of Distinction: $10 will be given for the best artistic arrangement in each of Adult, Senior Youth, and Junior Youth.

Section 5: Adults, 18 and Older

  1. Colored Diamonds — Multicolored flowers in an oval
  2. My Heart Is in the Hills — Red and white flowers; use blue vase for oval arrangement
  3. Golden Memories — Variety of sunflowers in a set triangle
  4. Summers’ Delight — Mostly gladiolus in a perpendicular arrangement
  5. Mountains and Valleys — Perpendicular arrangement with dried grasses and native flowers
  6. I Remember You — Your choice of flowers in a Hogarth line

Section 6: Senior Youth, Ages 13–17

  1. Mountain Sunsets — Perpendicular arrangement of sunflowers or gladiolus
  2. The Beauty of the Hills — Bright colored flowers in a crescent

Section 7: Junior Youth, Ages 6–12

  1. Sunrise in the Mountains — Red, yellow, and orange flowers in an oval
  2. Remembering the Farm — Colorful flowers in the bed of a truck
  3. Farmyard Friends — Create a farm animal from a vegetable

Section 8: Youth, Under 6 Years

  1. Grandma and I Made This — Multi-colored flowers in an oval
  2. Start Your Engines — Yellow and red flowers in a toy truck