Flowers

2026 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS REQUIRED. To be an Exhibitor, click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. If you have questions, or are unable to complete the online form, please contact the department superintendent.

Entry deadlines are listed on the Entry Deadlines and Delivery Schedule page.

Rules

PLEASE READ ALL RULES CAREFULLY TO PREVENT DELAYS AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.

1. Please pre-register in all categories you anticipate entering.
2. Entries must be completely finished and ready for placement before they are brought to the Flower Department.
3. All entries must be brought to the Flower Department between 3 PM and 8 PM on Wednesday, the day before the start of the Fair. Limited parking will be available around the Flower Barn for a maximum duration of 15 minutes. Additional parking will be available at Whites Farm.
4. All entry changes must be made by 8 PM on Wednesday, the day before the start of the Fair. No changes will be accepted after that time.
5. All entries must be show quality, with no sign of disease or insect damage/infestation.
6. Each exhibitor is allowed only ONE entry in each class.
7. Where there is no competition in a class, the entry will be judged and placed according to its own merit.
8. Where required by the variety of entries, a class may be created or divided at the discretion of the judges.
9. All judges’ decisions are final.
10. Any entry using material on the State Conservation List as published by the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., will be disqualified.
11. Collections (Lots 2 & 3 only) must include a list of all plant and flower varieties used.
12. Exhibits must remain in place until 6 PM on Sun., the last day of the Fair. Committee members will be on hand until 8 PM Sunday. VEHICLES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS BEFORE 7:00 PM. On Monday following the Fair, Committee members will be on hand from 5–7 PM to assist exhibitors in collecting their entries. After 7 PM Monday, remaining exhibits will be placed outside the exhibit area and the doors will be closed.

Special Awards

Best of Show

One Best-of-Show rosette will be awarded in each of the following categories: Arrangements, Collections, Artistic Vases,Single Specimens, Potted Houseplants and Container Gardens.

Betty Ackerman Memorial Award

This award was established in 1994 in memory of Betty Ackerman, who was an assistant superintendent of the Durham Fair for many years. The award is given to the entry judged to be best in a class, or classes, of flower, as chosen by the Flower Committee. This year’s class is Coxcomb: Plumed. The winner will receive a special award of $20, given by Jeff and Carol Feldmann in memory of Betty Ackerman.

George Matyas Memorial Award

George Matyas was an exhibitor in the Potted Houseplant category of the Flower Department from 1997 to 2005. When he received the Exhibitors Guide each year, he took time to carefully pick his entries. All of his houseplants and flowers were grown from seed or plant cuttings. A special award of $20 is given by his daughter Patti Kemish in memory of her father. This year the award will go to the best entry in Other Succulent.

Harriet Duval Special Award

This award was established in 2013 to honor Harriet Duval, who joined the Flower Committee in 1962 and chaired the committee from 1982 to 2012. The award is a rosette for the first-place winner of a designated class of flower arrangement. This year’s class is Our Armed Services.