Highlands Historical Society’s 11th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday Sept. 11-12, from 10 a.m., to 5 p.m., all around Highlands.
The 11th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Bascom, from 1 - 4:30 p.m.
The public is invited to view the incredible, irresistible dahlia in its many different varietals. Individual blooms, and stunning arrangements of dahlias are judged and awarded accordingly by Garden Club of America judges. Growers may bring their entries to the Bascom from 8 – 10 a.m., Saturday morning. It is $20 for up to eight blooms to enter.
The two-day dahlia festival will have dazzling dahlia and mixed floral vignettes installed all over Highlands. Explore Highlands along the “Dahlia Trail” with stunning dahlia and native plant vignettes at historical locations and local businesses. Discover Highlands history, learn about the plateau’s stunning natural environment, and admire the astounding talent of local floral enthusiasts. A walking and driving map of dahlia installations will be available at the visitor’s center, the Bascom, Highlands Historical Village, and Kelsey Hutchinson Founder’s Park.
There are 2 divisions of displays, competition and display. A panel of secret judges will award the competition division prizes based on design, story, execution and dahlias. The public may vote for their favorites by following the QR code & going to Highlandshistory.com. Judges and people’s choice winners will be announced Saturday at 6:00 in KHFP when the band, “Full Circle” takes the stage for the Saturdays on Pine concert series. Winners will have their ribbons for viewing on Sunday. There will be self-guided scavenger hunts for children of all ages, Highlands Biological Foundation and Highlands Cashiers Land Trust will have surprises in the park. Highlands Historical Village will have flower arrangements for sale, and docent guided tours of the Prince house and Highlands Historical museum.
Both the dahlia festival and show are free, and are outdoors, socially distanced events. The dahlia festival is sponsored by the Highlands Historical Society, at 524 N. 4th St. Any donations are appreciated and go to supporting the HHV and HHS programs.
For information on how to enter your vignette in the two-day Dahlia Festival, or more info on the individual bloom show at the Bascom on Sept. 11, go to highlandshistory.com. Both the Dahlia Festival and the Dahlia Show are free and are outdoors socially distanced events. Any donations will go to support the Highlands Historical Village at 524 N 4th St. Highlands.