The festival's signature juried competition invites growers and floral designers of all ages to enter single blooms or arrangements across open, novice, youth, and arranged divisions. The juried show will be on view Friday, September 11 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A non-sanctioned, volunteer-run event created in the spirit of community engagement and the joy of growing, the competition welcomes first-year growers alongside seasoned exhibitors from across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
Thanks to the generosity of festival sponsors, there is no entry fee this year, and each participant may enter up to eight blooms.
Divisions
Novice (new this year): open to anyone who has never exhibited in the festival's floral competition, as well as those who have exhibited within the last two years. Participants may remain in the novice division for up to three years before moving into the open division.
Open: all other growers.
Additional Categories
Youth Category: youth entries are welcomed and encouraged, with a separate youth ribbon awarded.
Arranged Category: open to those submitting a floral arrangement rather than a single stem.
Key Dates
Flower drop-off runs Friday, September 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Bascom, where volunteers will be on hand to assist with registration and classification. Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. The juried show opens to the public that afternoon from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and continues Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blooms may be picked up Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m.
How to Enter
No advance registration is required. Bring your blooms to The Bascom during the Friday drop-off window. If you know the name of your bloom, please have it on hand at drop-off. This helps volunteers complete registration and classification efficiently. Display bottles will be provided.
For complete judging criteria, the full list of categories, and additional festival programming, click here.
