Dear Dahlia Growers,
We invite you to participate in the 16th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival, September 10th - 12th at The Bascom. This celebration of horticulture and creative expression on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau welcomes growers of all skill levels to share their dahlias with our community.
This is a non-sanctioned, volunteer-run event, created in the spirit of community engagement and the joy of growing.
Entry Information
There is no entry fee this year, thanks to the generosity of our festival sponsors. Participants may enter up to eight blooms.
Judging Criteria
Entries should consist of One (1) bloom per entry (no buds)
Two (2) unmarred leaves, if possible. Leaves are not required.
No pests or damage to the bloom. Blooms should face upward at a 45 degree angle.
Display bottles will be provided.
If you know the name of your bloom, please have it on hand at drop-off.
This helps our volunteers complete registration and classification efficiently.
All growers must remain with their blooms until registration and classification are complete.
Competition Schedule (September 11–12)
Flower Drop-Off
Judging Begins
Show Opens to the Public
Divisions
Friday, September 11, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Bascom. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with registration and classification.
Friday, September 11, at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, September 11, 3:30–5 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Single Bloom Competition has two divisions this year: Novice and Open.
The novice division is new this year, open to anyone who has never exhibited in our floral competition or those who have exhibited in the last two years; participants may remain in the novice division for up to three years before moving into the open division. The open division is open to all other growers.
Youth entries are welcomed and encouraged. A separate youth category ribbon will be awarded.
All entries must remain on site for the duration of the Single Bloom Competition. Blooms may be picked up on Saturday, September 12, from 4–5 p.m. Any entries not collected by 5 p.m. may be shared or distributed at the festival’s discretion.
Categories
AA (Dinner Plate) Blooms must be 10+ inches in diameter
Formal Decorative A
Formal Decorative B
Formal Decorative BB
Informal Decorative A
Informal Decorative B
Informal Decorative BB
Ball
Mini Ball
Pompon
Straight Cactus
Semi Cactus
Laciniated Cactus
Stellar
Water Lily
2025 Best of Show Winners
Anemone
Collarette
Orchid
Single Minion Novelty
Youth Category (no division designation)
Arranged Category (no division designation)
Professional Division
Amateur Division Peggy Arnette, for her Stellar “Camano Pet.” Tim Wheatley, for his Informal Decorative “Hilltop Dagwood.”
Dahlia Photography Contest
The Bascom invites photographers to submit work for the Juried Dahlia Photography Exhibition, on view during the festival. The submission deadline is August 8. For details and entry guidelines, visit TheBascom.org.
Festival Highlights
In addition to the Single Bloom Competition, we invite you to enjoy the full festival experience. Please see the attached press release for complete programming information.
Thank you for being part of this event. Your participation helps create a display that the whole community looks forward to each September!
323 Franklin Road | Highlands, NC 28741 | TheBascom.org | 828.526.4949
