12th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival

Vignette Information & Locations

Vignettes and maps will be placed at the following locations:

• The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts
• Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park
• Highlands Visitor Center
• and along Main Street in Highlands, NC

The final stop, where the history of Highlands lives on at the museum and the Prince house. Docent tours, flower sales & a native garden. 

Historical Village Activities Schedule 

SATURDAY 10th 

10 - 12....... Bluegrass on speakers 
12:00......... Storytellers; Isabel Chambers & David Hodgson 
1:00........... Grandma Gatewood / Nancy Reeder 
2:00........... Bluegrass 1 hr. Cloggers. 
3:00........... Storytellers 30-40 mins; Isabel, Lee, Tammy, Reeder 
4:00........... Bluegrass 1hr & clogging 

SUNDAY 11th 

10:00......... Bluegrass on speakers 
12:30......... Storytellers/ Isabel Chambers 
1:00........... Brent Martin “Wild Vision” George Masa book talk 
2:00........... Silly Ridge Bluegrass band & Cloggers 
3:00........... Storytelling 30 mins. 
4:00........... Silly Ridge bluegrass 

Ongoing activities:  Popcorn, Ice Cream, Snow Cones & Kids Activities 

Festival Rules

DAHLIA FESTIVAL RULES 2022

1. Do not interfere with right of way on sidewalks, doorways, or streets
2. Display must consist of 50% dahlias & 50% native plants.
3. Highlands Historical Society will assign approved location for display.
4. You may work alone or with others. Businesses may enter.
5. Installations are to be Friday September 9, Between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
6. Your display must be completed by 10:00 am Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.
7. Installations must be removed Monday Sept. 12, by noon
8. There is a $75.00 fee, payable to Highlands Historical Society, P.O. Box 670, Highlands, NC, 28741
9. No security will be provided, so do not use anything precious
10. You are responsible for watering (if needed)
11. Your installation must be weather hardy (withstand the rain).
12. Props are allowed within reason.
13. You must list your florals, plant material.
14. No controversial, risqué, or political designs!!
15. IF you have a site request, please include it and we will entertain it, but no guarantees.
16. August 29, 2022 is deadline to turn in wording for your sign. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
17. A panel of 3 secret judges will award competition entries based on design, story, execution, and dahlias.
18. Public may vote for free at highlandshistory.com.
19. Winners will be announced Saturday night during the concert in the park.

Entry Application & Payment

Entry Deadline: August 15, 2022.

Online entry is preferred. If you cannot enter and pay online, please mail the information below with a check for $75 to: Highlands Historical Society, PO Box 670, 524 N. 4th St., Highlands, NC 28741.

Download PDF Form for Mailed Entry

Entry Form and PayPal Payment

Entry and Rules

Amateur gardeners and growers of any level of experience are invited to enter.

Individual dahlia blooms are judged by Garden Club of America qualified judges. They select winners in categories from Dinner Plate to Cactus. There is also a category for dahlias grown by children, up to 18.

Entry will be in person - Saturday September 10, at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts from 8:00 am - 10:00 am. The registration fee is $20.00 for 8 blooms.

Upon arrival there will be volunteers to assist you. Enter your blooms, and you could win “Best of Show.”

Judging & Categories

Judging is based on the quality of the bloom. The entry should be 1 bloom, no buds, preferably 2 unmarred leaves, and no bugs. The bloom should be facing upward or outward. There will be bottles provided for displaying.

There will be classifiers to classify and categorize entries. You must remain with your blooms until registered and classified. This is not a sanctioned show; It is run by volunteers.

Categories Include:

• Decorative Formal
• Decorative Informal
• Anemone and Collarette
• PomPom and Ball
• Cactus and Semi-Cactus
• Laminated
• Youth to Age 17
• Dinner Plate
• Arranged
• Miscellaneous: Single, Peony, Mignon, Orchid, Stellar, and WaterLilly