Dahlias were the talk of the town over the weekend during the 2022 Dazzling Dahlia Festival.
What a weekend it was as Highlands was draped in dahlias from The Bascom to the Historical Village, and everywhere in between. There were dahlias as paintings, dahlia trees, and dahlia brides.
The 37 interpretations on “The Gilded Age” were as varied as the groups that presented them. People were out enjoying the vignettes, many of which were interactive. The Bascom was a huge hit with a stunning “Gilded Frame” and props for a selfie. Lulu Bleu hosted a roaring 20’s party with costumes and libations. Jeanie Edwards gave out vintage soaps, and Mountaintop Rotary had a beautiful painting that they raffled off to help establish a scholarship for arts at Highlands School.
There was so much to see and experience, as Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park was full of nonprofit displays that acquainted folks with the important work that nonprofits do on the plateau. The Historical Society hosted a dahlia tennis match, and had storytelling, bluegrass, clogging, and a book talk from Brent Martin on his new book about George Masa, “Wild Visions.”
The Bascom was a hub of activity all weekend with their stunning vignette, and the single bloom competition. The single bloom competition, judged by Garden Club of America judges, saw 261 dahlias entered.
The competition was dominated by Peggy Arnette, Drew English, and a new to the show grower, Tim Wheatley. Those three racked up countless ribbons, but the stunning perfect Best of Show bloom was English’s Cactus.
The Bascom and Historical Society hosted a reception Thursday to unveil the inaugural dahlia festival poster – a beautiful rendering of a dahlia bouquet as a female face, done by budding local artist Trish Foor. Posters and notecards are available for sale at the Historical Village and the Bascom.
The Historical society and the Bascom will be holding a juried competition for the 2023 poster. Next year the 13th annual dazzling dahlia festival theme will be “The Seasons of Highlands;” and it will be held Sept. 9 – 10.
The competition winners were as follows:
Judges Winners
Best of Show -- The Bascom, “The Gilded Frame”
2nd place -- Crown Heritage Flower Design Studio
3 Rd place -- Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, “God’s
Gilded Age”
Hon. Mention: Highlands Rotary, Mountaintop Rotary, Laurel Garden Club
People’s choice winners
Best of Show -- Highlands Historical Society
2nd place -- Lulu Bleu, “Lulu Belle Roars in the 20’s”
3rd place -- The Bascom, “The Gilded Frame”