The Darke County Association of Garden Clubs was formed in 1952 where flower shows began in the current Fine Arts building with one show being held one Tuesday. In 1958, it became two flower shows held on the first Saturday of the fair and the following Wednesday. The flower shows have earned the prestigious honor from The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc., as Best County Fair Flower Show in the state of Ohio. The garden club members over the years have worked hard to keep this honor and have obtained it numerous times throughout the years.
Having outgrown half of the fine Arts building, the flower department was moved to the northeast section of the basement of the coliseum in the middle 50’s. After the southeast area of the coliseum basement became available the flower department was expanded to the present east half of the coliseum basement. The exhibitors of the flower shows have always been open to Darke County residents or members of the Darke County Association of Garden Clubs. The first flower show is on Saturday, August 20 and the second on Wednesday, Aug. 24. For the two shows, you will witness some of the best designs and horticulture in a county fair. Many judges from The Ohio Association of Garden clubs, Inc., have commented on the outstanding shows provided by the DCAGC and find it superior to The Ohio State Fair
The Darke County Association of Garden Clubs is currently comprised of Butterflies Junior Garden Club, Ladybug Garden Club and Wildflower Garden Club. As in any productive event, it takes funds to make updated improvements. The DCAGC is currently holding a raffle entitled “Gardener’s Whole Nine Yards”.
Items in the raffle are gift certificates from Fairlawn Steak House, D’Alessio’s Italian Inspired Cuisine, Montage Café, The Coffee Pot, A & B Coffee & Cake Co., Spencer Landscaping Inc., Miller Flowers Greenhouse and Florist, Flory Landscaping. Hannah’s Garden Center donated a strawberry planter, garden grow bags, botanical labels and a variety of plant tags. Woodmill Company Antiques Etc. donated a garden bench and ceramic angel. Countryside Gardens Inc. donated a metal plant stand a glass globe. Ace Hardware donated a garden tool set and garden gloves, Ann’s Gifts and Antiques a grapevine wreath, Sweet Annie’s Cabin a hide-a-key garden rock, The Ivy League Florist a butterfly poster and bud vase, Plessinger Bros. Florist a crystal basket and Christmas pitcher, Fitzwater Tree and Lawn Care 2 yards of mulch, Rural King a bird feeder and 40# bag of birdseed, Helen’s Flowers a fall arrangement. Home Again a 4 foot lighted grapevine tree, Heather B Leaves a concrete leaf, Readmore’s Hallmark Shop a ‘Bay’ garden chime, worm castings from Fred Williams, solar birdbath from Kim Cromwell, decorated bird cage from Tiffany Stebbins, driftwood wreath from Donn and Charlene Thornhill, garden journal from Cathy Detrick of Gypsy. Topped off with a three-piece Bistro set that features a 28” dark metal frame mosaic tabletop table with brown all-weather wicker chairs, accented with painted blue stripe decorative outdoor toss pillows.
Tickets are available from any garden club member, Becky Collins of Heritage House Hair Salon on Wagner Avenue, at the Butterflies Junior Garden Club beverage tent at Gathering at Garst, and available in the flower department during fair week up until the drawing on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Need not be present – but try to come see some great flower shows and check out the “Gardener’s Whole Nine Yards” items.
