Flower show theme ‘Red, White and Bloom’

In keeping with this year’s spirit of patriotism, the Hill City Evergreen Garden Club (HCEGC) has chosen the the theme “Red, White and Bloom,” for this year’s flower show, held at the Hill City Center July 25. 

The annual event is designed to promote gardening, creativity and community involvement among beginners and experienced gardeners alike. There is no cost to enter, and the club encourages first-time participants, providing assistance with entry naming and materials.

“It’s really to help promote gardening in young and old, for people that are beginners or are new to the area,” said organizer Sherry Liddell.

Liddell recalled attending the show when she had just moved to the area.

“I learned a lot,” she said. “It helped me kind of figure out what grows here and what is successful.”

 Liddell added, “There’s a lot of people with good information.”

The club is asking for entries, with no experience required. 

“You don’t have to be part of the garden club. You don’t have to know what you’re doing. You can submit anything you’ve grown or put together,” said Liddell. “You don’t have to be a master gardener. You can just find something in your backyard.”

Entries are taken the day of the show from 8-9 a.m. with judging beginning promptly at 9 a.m. Previous shows have featured between 100 and 200 entries.

Three master gardeners will judge entries in a variety of categories from single-stem flowers to themed arrangements and table place settings. Children are encouraged to enter and will be judged in their age division of eight and under, nine-12 or 13-15. 

“We love having the children involved every year,” Liddell said.

Businesses also have their own category to express their mission, message, services or unique qualities using a floral display.

The event also features a silent auction and raffle with all money raised supporting local charities or scholarships. Last year, the club donated $750 toward new dugouts for the baseball fields. 

This year’s silent auction item was donated by Lori Enders and is a handcrafted birdbath made of fusible glass. The piece features a red, white and blue heart and flower design. 

“It is quite heavy, so it will withstand the South Dakota wind,” said Enders. 

For more information, visit the Hill City Evergreen Garden Club Facebook page.