There are two divisions in this contest - Black Tie Formal and Casual Dress. One plant may be entered in each division per entrant.

 

Black Tie Formal is the division for big beautiful specimens, which must be entered in plain black plastic pots just like in the Seedling and Sport Competition. The winner will most likely be the most spectacular entry, but with attendee voting there is no way to predict the winner. Plants should be grown in pots, not just dug and stuffed into one. Any hosta can be entered here, and this is the place to show your well-grown examples of the varieties that are not eligible for the Competition.  

 

Casual Dress is for the most creative display and can include virtually anything. Entries in the past have been remarkable in their cleverness and whimsy. Have fun with this one, and we recommend themed entries as a good way to start. One winning example was Nancy Solberg's 'Cracker Crumbs' planted in a Campbell's Soup mug with napkin, spoon, and placemat. Attendees also choose the winner, so you want to catch their eye and make them smile.

 

This is three contests in one - two for shoes and another for hats. Sponsored by Carol Brashear (shoes) and Janet Vinyard (hats), this contest is not for the faint of heart, or the faint of nose! Bring the most scurrilous examples you have because this time the worst one wins! Attendees will choose, but we have no idea how they will. Entrants are not required (or encouraged) to wear their entries.  

 

Ugliest Garden Shoes is split into two divisions, Au Naturale and Adorned. The first is for shoes the way you actually wear them when nobody can see you. The second is for those creative souls who just have to decorate everything. One prize will be offered in each division, and fame (of sorts) will follow but fortune is unlikely. To decide if yours are worthy, think about whether you would want even the garbage men to see you in them. If the answer is no, you may be a winner!

 

Ugliest Garden Hat is somewhat similar in concept, though Janet feels hers is a loftier ideal. This contest is for the most decrepit piece of unreputable cloth or other possibly unrecognizable substance that you actually wear on your head. If you really have a truly bad gardening hat, this is the place to show it.

 

This contest, sponsored by Kent Terpening, places ten reasonably well-known hostas on a table. The rules are pretty simple - just guess what they are and write the names down on your entry slip. One entry per attendee. If you're good at recognizing hostas, or just feeling lucky that day, you can win a very nice hosta from Kent. Entries will be tallied and the one with the most correct answers will win.

 

This contest is for those weird and unusual leaves and plants that occasionally turn up in the garden. Leaves, scapes, or entire plants may be entered. The only rule here is that it must be natural in origin - no glueing leaves together or painting them red! Some truly weird things have turned up here in past contests, and the attendees will decide which one strikes their fancy and is the weirdest of all. Past entries have included very leafy flower scapes, doubled leaves, and even one mostly white leaf that had curled into something very like a calla bloom. Sponsored by Bill Meyer.