Start Planning Your Community Show Garden Entries

By this time of year, your garden is likely producing a variety of fresh vegetables for your family to enjoy. As you begin harvesting your bounty, it’s also the perfect time to start planning your entries for the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, which will be held at Catoctin High School on September 11-13.

The Community Show offers residents living within the Catoctin feeder area an opportunity to showcase their best vegetables, fruits, flowers, baked goods, arts and crafts, sewing, photography, and more.

Did you know there are several different ways to show off your gardening accomplishments?

One of the easiest ways is to enter the Fresh Vegetable Department. Simply follow the entry requirements and submit the specified quantity of a particular vegetable on a plate.

For example, you might enter five tomatoes. When selecting your tomatoes, remember that judges often look for uniformity in size, shape, color, and overall quality—not necessarily the largest vegetables. Winning entries receive ribbons and a small cash prize.

Another option is the Canned Foods Department. Here you’ll find dozens of categories including applesauce, green beans, salsa, pickles, jams, jellies, and more. As you preserve your garden harvest for the colder months ahead, consider setting aside a few of your best jars to enter in the show.

For those looking to showcase a little bit of everything, consider entering the Home Products Display. This category highlights a variety of homegrown and homemade items in a single exhibit.

Displays must include any five of the following:

5 apples, 5 carrots, 5 beets, 5 tomatoes, 1 pumpkin, 5 ears of corn, 12 nuts, 5 potatoes, 1 slice of hay, 2 jars of canned fruit, 2 jars of canned vegetables, 2 jars of jelly or preserves, 2 jars of pickles, 1 baked product, 1 art or craft item, Flowers

Displays are judged on both the quality of the items and the overall presentation. Exhibitors are encouraged to use creative containers and attractive arrangements to make their displays stand out.

For a complete list of categories and entry requirements, visit www.thurmontemmitsburgcommunityshow.com.

Entries may be submitted at Catoctin High School on Thursday evening, September 10, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., or on Friday morning, September 11, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., in the gymnasium and agriculture department areas.

Whether you’re entering vegetables, canned goods, baked goods, flowers, or crafts, the Community Show is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work and talents of our local community.

Be sure to stop by during the weekend to admire the impressive exhibits and enjoy a weekend full of agriculture, community, and family fun!