By Grace Rabano, Publicity Lead for Clermont Garden Club
A Flower Show, entitled Emerald Magick, is currently in preparation by the Clermont Garden Club for March 17-18, 2023. But what IS a Flower Show??
A Flower Show is an opportunity for members of the Clermont Garden Club to ‘show off’ prized plants, cut specimens, creative floral designs and botanical photographs in an atmosphere of friendly competition. How do club members decide what to enter in the Flower Show? Garden club members read and follow a ‘Schedule’, which is also known as the ‘Law’ of the Flower Show. The Schedule is written specifically for this year’s Emerald Magick Flower Show and it contains all pertinent information for the show, such as rules, details of the entry classes, available awards and judging criteria. The Schedule binds both Exhibitors and Judges, and it conforms to standards established by the National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC). Through displaying plant specimens, floral designs and photography, the Garden Club strives to meet the goal of educating its members as well as the public in horticulture and floral designs. Some categories that attendees can expect to see this year include Oriental-Style Design, All-Green Arrangements, a floral necklace, or a women’s hat adorned with a floral design.
Judging is provided by 3-judge panels of NGC Accredited Judges, with the exception of Photography which uses 1 professionally qualified photography judge and 2 NGC qualified Judges. Exhibitors get a chance to earn highly sought-after ribbons, along with judges’ comments (which are often an education in themselves!). Since Judging is done in accordance with NGC rigor, a winning blue-ribbon entry will stand up to any other judged in the US.
The Flower Show is free and open to the public and will take place at the garden club at 849 West Avenue, Clermont, FL. The Show starts on Friday, March 17, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and continues into Saturday, March 18, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The timely theme for the Flower Show is “Emerald Magick”.
Additionally, on Friday night, March 17, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, a Wine Stroll Reception will be held. Attendees can stroll through the exhibits of the Emerald Magick Flower Show, sipping beer or sangria or lemonade, while nibbling on savory and sweet treats.
The Wine Stroll Reception is by reservation only and $20 tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emerald-magick-wine-stroll-reception-tickets-441933865087. For any questions, please email Cindy at bsktcindy@earthlink.net.
The Clermont Garden Club is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization. Clermont Garden Club members meet every third Wednesday of the month (September through May), except scheduled field trips, Holiday Luncheon and End of the Year Luncheon, at the clubhouse located at 849 West Avenue, Clermont, FL 34711. Meetings begin at 10:00 A.M. New members and guests are warmly welcome.
