Kathy Berryhill
Creek County Master Gardener
Fall gardens are bursting with gorgeous flowers and bountiful vegetables that have survived the long summer. While not every flower or veggie is something to brag on, we all have our favorites that are doing quite well. So why not show them off at the upcoming County Fair? The Creek County Fair will be held Sept. 23-26, 2021 and there are two main divisions of interest to local gardeners.
The Division #10 Open Horticulture and Division #21 Flower Show are open to amateur gardeners that reside in Creek County. To successfully enter however, specific guidelines must be adhered to. The Official Rules can be found at https://creekcountyfairgrounds.com/pdf/2021/2021-Fair-Tab.pdf Understanding the rules can be somewhat daunting, but hopefully, the following explanation will tempt you to join in the fun!
Entry Day: Flower Show (Division #21) and Open Class Horticulture (Division #10) entries must be submitted on Tuesday, Sept 21 between 3 PM-7 PM. The entry location is in the Exhibit Building on the front side of the fairgrounds in Kellyville. Provided entry tags are to be filled out with your contact information, Division #, Class # and Entry Name. This information is found in the Official Rules link, but will also be available at the Entry Table. Providing complete information can be confusing, but Creek County Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide assistance! Hint: If you are entering multiple exhibits, self-adhesive address labels are a great convenience!
Select your entries carefully, as entries that don’t meet the standards for exhibition may be rejected. An exhibitor may only enter one entry per variety, but may submit exhibits in multiple varieties. Example: An exhibitor may enter Class #35 (small zinnia) and Class #36 (large zinnia) but may not enter 2 entries of small zinnias. Please enter your exhibits in person, as rules state the exhibitor must be present to submit.
Specific instructions: Flower Show: Gardeners may bring stemmed flowers in any container, but flower stems will be transferred to a provided water bottle. Potted plants can be entered but please don’t bring your largest specimen! Pots must have a base under 12” and must weigh less than 10 pounds to be accepted. Be mindful of the amount of a plant to enter as Official Rules not only determine the class variety but also specify bloom size and amount to enter. Example: Class #17 (Rose) directions specify to enter 1 stem of a hybrid tea rose.
Specific Instructions: Open Horticulture -Vegetables: The Official Rules specify the vegetable variety, and most are commonly found in Oklahoma gardens. Each vegetable class requires a specific amount of the entry. Example: Class #14 (Summer Squash) specifies that two squash must be entered. But Class #20 (Okra) asks for six table size Okra.
Judging will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (All decisions are final). The Fair Buildings open to the public the next day on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 8 AM. Exhibitors may come and see just what it takes to win a ribbon! Hopefully, it will be one of your entries. But others will want to see the exhibits also, so they must remain in place until 3 PM on Sunday, Sept 26th. Premiums (cash awards) are as follows: 1st ($5), 2nd ($4) and 3rd ($2). Premium checks must be picked up on Sunday, Sept 26th between 3PM-5PM at the back of the Exhibit Hall.
The Official Rules may be daunting the first year, but keep in mind the goal is to educate gardeners on good growing practices and encourage sharing of information that benefits us all! Hope to see you at this year’s Creek County Fair!
