13th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival
September 9, 2023 - "Seasons of Highlands"
View the 2023 Entries!
View the July 1, 2023 Press Release Here (PDF)
Huge band party at Kelsey Hutchinson Park to award winners, featuring Steel Toe Stiletto, a 10-piece band at 6pm, Saturday Sept. 9, 2023.
We are announcing an exciting change to the Dahlia/Native plant vignette competition throughout Highlands. This year, the winner of "Best of Show" will receive a $500.00 prize. The 2nd and 3rd place winners and the People's Choice winners will be awarded ribbons as in the past.
The theme this year is "SEASONS OF HIGHLANDS," and you are required to use half dahlias and half locally grown native plants. We will also feature our nonprofits in KHFP, to help promote the vast range of nonprofit support on the plateau. The deadline to enter is August 5th.
Floral Vignette Competition
A competition of dahlia & native plant displays at the locations listed on the Dahlia Festival map. Sept. 9, 2023. Free to the public.
Click Below:
2023 Rules
- Do not interfere with right-of-way on sidewalks, doorways, or streets.
- The display must consist of 50% dahlias and 50% native plants.
- HHS will assign an approved location for display; however, if you have a site request, please include it, and we will accommodate it if possible.
- You may work alone or with others, and businesses may enter.
- Installations are to be Friday, September 8, 2023, between 9 am and 4 pm.
- Your display must be completed by 10 am on Saturday, September 9th.
- Installations must be removed by noon on Monday, September 11th.
- No security will be provided, so please do not use anything precious.
- You are responsible for watering if needed.
- Your installation must be weather hardy—able to withstand possible rain or wind.
- Props are allowed, within reason.
- You must list your florals and plant materials on the plant material list we will provide.
- No controversial, risqué, or political designs.
- August 1st is the deadline to turn in wording for your sign.
- A panel of 3 secret judges will award competition entries based on design, story, execution, and dahlias.
- The public may vote for free on our website. Winners will be announced Saturday night during the concert in the park.
Vignette Information & Locations
Colorful dahlia & native plant displays will decorate Highlands. A panel of secret judges will award prizes. The public vote for their favorites to select “PEOPLE'S CHOICE” winners.
You may do your own vignette, or you may hire someone to do it for you. There is NO CHARGE to enter the competition. We are doing this to encourage creativity and high-style design. We believe the money should be spent on your vignette. The deadline to enter is August 5, 2023. Your vignettes may be as elaborate or as simple as you choose.
Vignettes and maps will be placed at the following locations:
Single Bloom Competition
The 13th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 1pm - 5pm, at The Bascom.
Click Below:
Entry and Rules
This is an amateur show. Gardeners and growers of any level of experience are invited to enter; there is even a category for children. This year we are adding a professional division, as we want our true amateurs to be rewarded for their gardens.
Entry will be in person - Saturday, September 9, at The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts from 8 am - 10 am. The registration fee is $20.00 for up to 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 one (1) bloom, no buds, preferably two (2) unmarred leaves, and no bugs. The bloom should be facing upward or outward. There will be bottles provided for display.
There will be classifiers to classify and categorize entries. You must remain with your blooms until registered and classified.
Categories Include:
- Decorative Formal
- Decorative Informal
- Anemone and Collarette
- PomPom and Ball
- Cactus and Semi-Cactus
- Laciniated
- Youth to Age 17
- Dinner Plate
- Arranged
- Miscellaneous: Single, Peony, Mignon, Orchid, Stellar, and WaterLilly
- Professional
This is not a sanctioned show, it is run by volunteers. Make time to stop in the Highlands Historical Village and peek into our past. Enter your blooms, come enjoy the flowers, visit the Bascom (free admission) and do not miss experiencing the dahlia festival that is going on all over town! We look forward to seeing you at this family fun event.
One important request, in addition to entering your dahlias in the single bloom competition, we would be honored if you would share any type of blooming flower and yes, greenery also. We make 100 mason jar arrangements to sell at the historical village and in KHFP, and all the flowers are donated. The Historical Village will be accepting flowers all day on Saturday September 8th, please share. Most people don’t grow dahlias, but they want to take some home from the show; the mason jar arrangements are a much loved part of the festival.
The Dazzling Dahlia Festival is the primary fundraiser for the Highlands Historical Society. Make time to stop in the Highlands Historical Village and peek into our past. Enter your blooms, come enjoy the flowers, visit the Bascom (free admission) and do not miss experiencing the weekend-long dahlia festival that is going on all over town! We look forward to seeing you at this family fun event.
We also ask for any dahlias, or other flowers, and greenery that you are willing to donate to our flower sale. We make 100 mason jar arrangements to sell. Saturday and Sunday we will sell arrangements at the Highlands Historical Village and KHFP.
View Past Festival Winners
