Everyone is a judge at the Fairbanks Garden Club’s Flower Show during Golden Days. The theme this year was “Seasons in a Fairbanks Garden.”
Entries included themed flower designs for Break Up, Spring (Youth, under 18 years), Summer, Autumn and Winter. In the Horticulture entry, flowers could be annuals, perennials, biennials and container-grown plants.
This year, ballot in hand, everyone who attended the one-day show got to take a look at 117 entries and choose their own, personal favorite for the Viewers Choice award.
“It doesn’t have to have won a ribbon from the judges,” the ballot reminded voters. “This is your favorite.”
At the end of the day, 198 viewers cast votes for their favorite entry and with 18 votes, Patty Kastelic, of Fairbanks, won Viewers Choice for her blue/purple delphinium.
The official judges had a more serious challenge, in order to award ribbons. Judges consider many different factors, so they come from different backgrounds themselves. Judges were: Sue Sprinkle, graphic artist, Fairbanks City Council member, and owner of 5th Avenue Design and Graphics; June Rogers, artist extraordinary, former City Council member and former director of the Fairbanks Arts Association; and Crystal Risse, horticulturist and owner of Risse’s Greenhouse.
With 117 entires, there was a lot to judge and many factors to consider.
Here are overall results:
• Forty blue ribbons were awarded. Patty Kastelic won the most ribbons: seven blue ribbons and 28 red ribbons. Liz Maxi and Janet Brower each received five red ribbons. Twelve yellow ribbons were awarded.
The top award winner for yellow ribbons was the Ester Community Library, which took home three yellow ribbons.
• Best Youth Award went to Natty Penner.
• A big winner was Marlene Wright, who earned the Best Design Award for her entry in Summer: Cucumber Sandwich, depicting “A fresh floral design incorporating locally grown vegetables.” She also won the Best Horticulture Award for her Gryphon Begonia.
The Fairbanks Garden Club sponsors this event and many more throughout the year.