Men’s garden club members plan to show what they grow

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown will sponsor its 51st Annual Horticulture Show on Aug. 22 and 23 at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., in Mill Creek MetroParks.

The show is free for all exhibitors, and the public is encouraged to submit entries. For information call Rodney Toth at 330-759-1993.

The exhibitor must grow all specimens. Entries will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 22. Judging will begin at 11 a.m.

The show is open to the public for viewing from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 22 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23. An awards ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Aug. 23.

All participants must register and receive a number. Supply an email address to receive MGCY show information online. First-time exhibitors will receive a number. Previous exhibitors’ numbers will be available at the registration desk for faster, easier access to records.

Entries can be removed only after the awards ceremony. Late entries will be displayed but will not be judged.

All entries must be labeled as to kind and variety. Entry tags must be filled out completely, top and bottom, and folded. The failure to do this will result in disqualification.

Unnamed specimens will be judged, but award ribbons will not be counted toward section or sweepstakes awards. Talk to the exhibit adviser for help.

Any number of specimens may be entered in each class, provided that each specimen is a different variety. If three or more specimens of the same variety are entered in one class, they will automatically constitute a separate class.

In “Any Other” each entry constitutes an individual class. In the “Any Other” category, the name and variety must be on the label.

Where the schedule calls for a quantity of more than one specimen, they will be of the same variety and color unless the schedule calls for a variation. A greater or lesser quantity will disqualify the entry.

Specified varieties must go in the specified section. Vases are acceptable where appropriate, and the use of club containers are preferred.

Floating specimens in clear water are permitted, including foliage. The exhibitor must supply the container.

General rules follow:

Show management will not assume responsibility for injury or loss of exhibits and personal property.

Exhibitors are not permitted during the judging process.

Judges’ decisions will be final in awarding or withholding ribbons. MGCA judging standards will be followed except where noted or the show schedule deviates from the standards. Where applicable the judging standards of the specialized plant societies will be followed.

CLASSIFICATIONS

Section A, vegetables; AA, ornamentals; B, fruits; C, annuals; D, perennials, biennials; E, dahlias; G, bulbs, tubers, etc.; G, roses; H, potted plants; HH, bonsai; I, succulents; II, cacti; J, woody plants; and K, hanging containers.

AWARDS

No more than one first-place (blue) one second (red) and one third (yellow) ribbon will be given in any class except class 99. Any number of honorable mention (white) ribbons may be given. All varieties in the category “Any Other” (Class 99) will be eligible for a blue ribbon.

SECTIONAL AWARDS

Sectional Awards will be given in each section of the schedule. They will be determined by the judges from the blue ribbon winners in each section.

BEST OF SHOW AWARD

The Best of Show Award will be determined by the judges from the sectional award winners. No points will be given for this award.

SWEEPSTAKES AWARD

This award is determined by totaling the number of blue ribbons of each entrant plus any sectional awards. Each blue ribbon equals one point, and each sectional ribbon, five points. In case of a tie, red ribbons will be counted.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

This goes to an adult who wins Best of Show and Sweepstakes awards.

LARRY WHETSON HEAVIEST TOMATO AWARD

Sponsored by Greier Ag Center, the award grants $25 for the heaviest edible tomato.

YOUTH GARDENERS

These gardeners, 16 and under, must use a colored entry tag. They will be judged under the sale rules as noted above. Sectional and Best of Show awards will be given.

Officers of MGCY are David Causer, president; Patrick Cunning, first vice president; Mike Beaudis, second vice president; Robert McGowan, treasurer; Joe Fagnano, recording secretary; Michael Banks, corresponding secretary and Causer, editor.

Show committee members are Rodney Toth, chairman; Donald Brown, co-chairman; Bruce Brungard; Dan Burns; Greg Fagnano; David Goist; Bill Laslo; John Schinker; Daniel Miller, records; and Joseph Alessi Jr. and Hugh Earnhart, exhibitor advisers. Judges, certified by the Men’s Garden Clubs of America, are Larry Whetson, emeritus, and Alessi, Burns, Earnhart, Lynn Hoffman, Schinker, Bill Slabe, Toth and John Waldorf.