On Saturday, July 30th, the 33rd Annual Valley Flower Show was held at the Ormstown Recreation Centre. This year’s theme, “Flowers in Art” attracted approximately 41 exhibitors (including nine youth exhibitors), who prepared over 300 displays of potted plants, cut flowers and arrangements.
Major winners included Sandra Bedard, who took home the Lois McCaig Trophy for her arrangement, which was inspired by artist Paul Cézanne’s Still Life with Flowers in an Olive Jar. Former local John Petty was awarded the Chateauguay Valley Garden Club’s trophy for his petunias. He was also honoured with the title of Best in Show for his efforts, which imitated the work of Salvador Dalí’s 1948 painting Los Elefantes. Betty McGerrigle was on hand to provide refreshments to the flock of visitors, which numbered over 170.
The show, which serves as a fundraiser for the Ladies Auxiliary of the Barrie Memorial Hospital, raised a significant amount towards their cause, welcoming more people through the entrance than ever before. Typically held at the Ormstown Curling Club, organizers were obliged to switch up their trusted venue due to scheduling issues. Initially, the show’s planning committee was a little sceptical about using such a big space, but it worked out well for the event. As chairwoman of the planning committee Judy Doucette put it, “Once flowers are in a space, it looks great!” Members Darlene Rember and Heidi Rankin were also pleased with the new venue, both agreeing that it was a labour of love, with everyone pitching in to make the space work for the show. And it did—the arrangements on display were nothing short of gorgeous. “This year’s show was amazing,” said Rankin. “We had so much positive feedback.”
A History
In a 1984 Gleaner article, Jean McEwen wrote “To say that the first annual Flower Show, Craft Display and Afternoon Tea at Ormstown’s Walshaven Community Centre was a huge success would be the understatement of the week; it was a super-duper success.” Organized by a bevy of volunteers including President of the Walshaven Craft Group, Mona Mason; head of the Flower Show, Jean McClintock; and Head of the Food Committee Carmen Henderson, the group thought that the flower show would be a great way to raise money for the hospital. They were right—that first event raised $1000 towards their cause.
