September – that transitional month when gardeners are reveling in the beauty of dazzling flower gardens that are in their final seasonal act with an explosion of color.
Among our favorite blooms on the plateau are dahlias that delight in an almost limitless array of colors and shapes.
Our love affair with dahlias continues as we celebrate their vibrant beauty for the 15th year at the annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival, held September 4–6.
Fittingly, this month’s cover of The Laurel features the festival’s Poster Contest winner — an elegant design by artist Shannon Woodford that captures the spirit of this cherished tradition.
Presented this year by The Bascom, and held on their campus at 323 Franklin Road, nature and art combine for a creative celebration of botanical design and visual art.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, September 4, with an opening reception at 5:00 P.M. Visitors will enjoy light bites and refreshments while meeting this year’s poster contest winner and getting their first glimpse of Petals and Perspectives, a floral showcase where area non-profits will have created stunning floral arrangements as interpretations of works of art in The Bascom’s galleries. This creative showcase can be enjoyed throughout the festival.
The festival’s signature event, the single bloom competition, begins on Friday, September 5, from 3:30 until 5:00 P.M., and again on Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.
Dahlia growers of all ages from across the Plateau enter their carefully cultivated single blooms and the hundreds of colors, sizes and varieties are awe-inspiring. It’s not too late to enter your single blooms so please visit their website at thebascom.org to enter.
On September 5 and 6, the Studio Member Pottery Show will be held in the Bascom’s Studio Barn. Guests can browse a curated selection of handcrafted wall pockets and vases, each adorned with fresh dahlias, and all available for purchase.
Gardeners, growers and flower enthusiasts won’t want to miss The Dahlia Dialogue, an educational talk on dahlia cultivation on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 A.M. Novice and experienced growers will enjoy this informative session.
Priscilla Galloway, Community Engagement Manager of The Bascom sums up the community spirit of this event saying that, “It’s such a joy to see our friends and neighbors coming together to celebrate nature, enjoy each other’s company, and learn something new! The Dazzling Dahlia Festival has grown into a beautiful community of talented artists, passionate growers, and flower enthusiasts.”
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit thebascom.org or follow @TheBascom on social media.
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