Published: July 03, 2008 10:55 pm         

Horticulture contests at fair open to public

Are you growing this year’s “Champion” green beans, or “Best of Show” flowers?

Michiana residents are invited to participate in the Open Class Horticulture Department contests at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.

The sections to enter are: Potted Plants-flowering, Potted Plants-foliage, Cactus and Sand or Cactus Dish Gardens, Ferns, Planter or Dish Garden, Hanging Baskets, Arrangement of Cut Flowers, Cut Flowers, Grains and Hay, Gourds, Above Ground Vegetables, Below Ground Vegetables, and Miscellaneous. The sections are then subdivided into different classes.

An entry fee of $1 per exhibitor per section for one to five classes per section; $2 six to 10 classes per section; $3 for 11 to 15 classes per section; $4 16 to 24 classes per section; and $5 for 25 and more than classes per section will be due at check-in. Only one entry per person is allowed in each class.

All items to be entered must be brought to Ag Hall at the fairgrounds in Goshen between 5 and 7 p.m. July 16 or between 7 and 9:30 a.m. on July 17.

No late entries will be accepted. Exhibits must stay in place (unless discarded due to spoilage) until July 28. Exhibits must be removed by 7 p.m. July 28.

A copy of the rules and regulations may be picked up at the Purdue Extension-Elkhart County office, 17746-E C.R. 34, Goshen, IN 46528, 574-533-0554, or found on the 4-H Web site: http://4hfair.org/openclass.htm (click on the Horticulture link.) Call Phyllis Schortgen 825-4802 with any questions.