The Miami Horticultural Society marked its 135th flower and garden show on Aug. 21, drawing record participation and celebrating the grouugp’s long-standing roots in the community.
If Eva Campbell — the woman who hosted the first flower show on her lawn in 1890 — could have attended, she would have found plenty to admire. This year’s event at the Miami Community Hall featured 72 exhibitors, split evenly between 36 adults and 36 juniors, and 607 entries in total.
The junior section stole the spotlight, with 298 entries — the most in the show’s history. The youngest exhibitor was one-year-old Ledger Webber, while the most senior was 98-year-old Velma Orchard, who entered several exhibits.
Much of the youth participation came through the Junior Garden Club, which welcomed 17 members aged four to nine, and inspired siblings and friends to join in.
Among the winners, four-year-old Hali Mikolasek captured the trophy for most points in the junior section. Celeste Lawson earned most points in the fruit and vegetable category, while Judy Knox won both the flower section and overall show.
Other top entries included:
• Best flower arrangement: Sandi Paul
• Best gladioli: Judy Knox
• Best potted geranium: Judy Knox
• Best hydrangea: Ray Lawson
• Best lily: Gail Snider
• Best rose and best plate of fruit: Judy Knox
More than 155 visitors came from 12 communities, including Winnshortipeg, Stonewall, Altona, Winkler, Morden, Carman, Manitou, Somerset, Horndean, Ninette, Swan Lake and Miami. Seniors from the Manitou Personal Care Home also attended for an afternoon outing.
The program featured greetings from the Reeve of the RM of Thompson, who congratulated the society as the oldest organization still active in the municipality, and from Linda Wall, president of the Manitoba Horticultural Society. Presentations included talks by Kelvin Hildbrandt on starting an orchard south of Miami, and Wendy Pearson on acts of kindness.
The event closed with raffle draws, award presentations and group photos of past and current members. Organizers thanked sponsors, volunteers and community members for prize donations, setup, accounting and kitchen work, all of which helped make the 135th show a success.
