Categories Announced for Cumberland County Fair Floral Exhibits

The Cumberland County Fair Association has announced the categories for floral exhibits. The first entries are to be taken Thursday, August 20, 2009 with the first of the festivities to begin the next evening at 6:00. Entries for Flowers are to be taken Sunday, August 23 between 2:00 and 7:00pm. Exhibits open Monday, August 24 at 10:00am and the Midway opens that evening at 5:00pm.

The following is an excerpt from the official rules for the Adult Division found on page 17 of the CCFA Premium Book:

"1. Exhibits must be entered between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 20, (except baking, flowers, poultry, rabbits, woodcarving and crops), and remain on display until 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30.

2. Entries for baking, flowers, poultry, rabbits, woodcarving and crops will be taken between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23.

3. Judging on flowers and baking will start at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14."

While technically the book states judging will begin 8 days before entries are to be submitted, I believe that this is a misprint and should actually be either Monday, August 24 or Thursday, August 27. At this time I have received no clarification from the Cumberland County Fair Association.

There are exhibits for Flowers, Plants & Herbs; Floral Arrangements; and Potted Plants. Everything from Marigolds, Dahlias, Petunias, Begonias, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, African Violets, Ferns, and Cacti will be represented in the Flowers, Plants & Herbs and Potted Plants exhibits. The exhibit of most consequence to us is, of course, the Floral Arrangement exhibit. The Floral Arrangement Exhibit Committee is chaired by Glenda Wisdom and Premiums offered are $4.00, $3.00, and $2.00, with $5.00 for best of show and a total of $104.00.

The CCFA Premium Book lists 4 criteria for judging floral arrangements, each worth 25 points for a total of 100 points possible. The criteria are:

Design Principles
(proportions, balance, depth, rhythm, focal and scale)

Condition
(quality, freshness of blossoms, fortages and accessories)

Distinction
(quality of design)

Relationship of Flowers to Container
(suitability of flower variety to the size, material, and color of container)

This scale is interesting in that compared to other floral competitions, it will take into account the container that is used and the "suitability of flower variety" to the container. To me, this seems too subjective. A person with an affinity for high-style or contemporary arrangements may judge a flower that outshines its container as suitable, while a traditionalist may not.

When determining accreditation in floral design, the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) judges arrangements based on the following: Category Interpretation (or interpretation of a theme), Scale (proportion), Balance (physical and visual), Line (movement and rhythm), Color (balance, harmony, and rhythm), Creativity, Unity (harmony and texture), Focal Emphasis, Depth, and Mechanics (Professional Application). No points are given based on the type of container used.

The categories of Floral Arrangements are as follows: "Harvest Variety"; "Harvest Color"; "A Star is Born"; "Harvest Fun"; "Welcome Wreath";
"Harvest of Memories"; "Harvest of White"; "Dreams"; "Wine & Roses"; "Harvest of Small Things"; and "Harvest of Roses", with a final category for Best of Show.

With some interesting categories, there appears to be a lot of room for interpretation and a lot of fun to be had in designing arrangements. With everything from antiques to wine bottles to be used as containers this years' arrangements shoule be a sight to behold.

Be sure to come out to the Cumberland County Fair Grounds this year and see all of the beautiful fresh flower arrangements.

The Cumberland County Fair Association can be contacted at 931-484-9454.

Check back here for more information on the fair and the show winners! And also pick up you CCFA Premium Book and turn to page 96 to see our ad!