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Fairy Garden Contest Information and Rules

 

FAIRY GARDEN CONTEST AT THE HALIFAX FARMER’S MARKET

By Irene Dunn

The Southside Master Gardener Association will hold a Fairy Garden Contest on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Halifax Farmer’s Market from 8 to 11 a.m.  This contest is free to the public and prizes will be awarded. A miniature container garden may be submitted by an individual of any age, a group, such as a Sunday School Class or a Garden Club or a family, a Grandmother and Grandchild for example. There is no size limit, but the gardens must be able to be carried to the display tables. Please bring your gardens between 8 and 9:45 a.m.

Fairy Gardening has been around for hundreds of years. It first debuted in the US in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair, where the Japanese Pavilion displayed bonsai dish gardens. It has become more popular in recent years. A miniature garden is where you can use your imagination to create a year-round tiny space to tend to and lure fairies where they feel at home and bring luck and happiness. This is a great, fun project for children and their parents or grandparents to get involved in gardening, teach respect for growing things and making memories. Adults and kids alike will love to plan, pick out plants, play in the dirt, construct tiny items and learn how to maintain their fairy garden.

The garden can be placed inside or outside in living spaces or the garden. It is a great advantage that you can build a fairy garden inside regardless of the weather.  Any type of container can be used with a drainage hole. It can be inexpensive by collecting things such as pebbles, rocks, moss, twigs, bark, leaves, fabric, string, small toys, popsicle sticks or items made out of clay. These can be used to make fairy houses, paths, arbors, seats, swings, and ponds etc. There are many ideas and inspirations on- line and stores where you can also buy fairies, gnomes and accessories to make your garden magical.

The Fairy Gardens will be judged by a panel of independent judges based on the overall design, creativity, imaginative use of live plant material (must have at least 2 live plants) and other components used. NO artificial plants or live animals can be used. Judges will determine the first and second place winners. Visitors may vote for one entry for the People’s Choice category between 10 and 11 a.m. Winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m. and receive their prizes.  During judging you will be able to enjoy all the market has to offer, fresh produce, organic meats and eggs, homemade breads and sweets, fresh flowers and lots of arts and crafts. The Halifax Farmer’s Market is located at 209 S Main St, Halifax. Entry forms and rules may be picked up at the Halifax Extension Office, 171 S Main St, Halifax, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the market during regular market hours.  For more information, visit www.ssmga.org or call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 option 0.  Please put the Fairy Garden Contest on your list of the most fun things to do this summer.

 

Fairy gardens can be full of wishful thinking. In this idyllic design, Kelly Powell wants us to relax and enjoy the trickling of the steam and water wheel. Bring your fairy garden to the Halifax Farmers Market on June 10th. 

 

FAIRY GARDEN CONTEST

SATURDAY JUNE 10, 2017  8 a.m.

HALIFAX FARMERS MARKET

209 S. MAIN STREET, HALIFAX VA 24558

Gardens must be brought to the market between 8 and 9:45 a.m. on June 10.  Submissions before or after that time will be disqualified.

Fairy Garden Contest Rules

1.  Entries may be submitted by an organization, a family or an individual of any age.

2.  There is no size limit but the entrants must be able to carry the container themselves.

3.  All entries must include at least 2 live plants.

4.  No live animals or artificial plant material allowed.

5.  The gardens will be staged on tables provided.

6.  Entries will be judged by a panel of independent judges based on overall design and creativity and imaginative use of plant material and components.  The judges’ decision is final.

7.  Visitors may vote for the People’s Choice Award between 10 and 11 a.m.

7.  First, Second and People’s Choice Awards will be announced at 11:30.

8.  Names and photos may be used in the local news, websites, and Facebook pages.

9.  Containers left after the winners are announced will be handled at the Market Director’s discretion.

10. With the agreement of the entrant, winning containers or a small number other containers will be displayed at the South Boston – Halifax County Museum for public viewing until July 1st.

I (we), the undersigned, have read the rules and agree to comply with the rules.

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