Young Growers Shine at Dewey Hall’s Dahlia Festival

The third annual Dahlia Festival at Dewey Hall in Sheffield concluded last weekend with an unexpected twist. Eleven-year-old Ada Ketchen captured the top prizes, showcasing a vibrant orange dahlia that impressed both judges and attendees alike. This year’s competition featured over 200 entries across ten categories, including a newly introduced Junior Growers category aimed at fostering young talent.

Excitement Among Competitors

The festival saw participation from seasoned gardeners, flower farmers, and enthusiastic novices, all competing for ribbons in various categories, such as formal decoratives and cactus types. A special highlight was the Junior Growers category, designed for participants under twelve. Judged on criteria like size and color, it aimed to celebrate the efforts of young growers, encouraging them to engage with gardening away from screens. Youngsters like Maeve Carroll, Theo Jordan, and Antonia Ketchen impressed judges with their vibrant entries, generating cheers from the crowd.

The anticipation reached its peak as Wenonah Webster, the event’s announcer, prepared to reveal the coveted Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards. While many expected seasoned growers such as Maria Nation and Naomi Blumenthal to take home the honors, it was Ada’s unique dahlia that stole the show. “Wow. It is so cool that I won,” Ada exclaimed, a mix of surprise and joy evident on her face.

Judges’ Decision and Community Spirit

Ada’s winning flower, a cultivar known as ‘Bloomquist Jean’, captivated the judges with its soft orange petals and flawless form. The judging panel, comprised of horticulture experts including former directors from the Berkshire Botanical Garden, unanimously agreed on Ada’s flower meeting their high standards. The petals, which gracefully curled back towards the stem, evoked the elegance of 1920s fashion, reminiscent of feathered cloches.

Despite her nerves leading up to the event, Ada’s determination shone through. Her mother noted that the young girl was so anxious about participating that she hesitated to leave the car during flower drop-off. The communal excitement surrounding her win transformed what could have been a competitive atmosphere into one of shared celebration and encouragement for future events.

The People’s Choice award, awarded to first-time entrant Rob Rose, a Latin and Math teacher, highlighted the festival’s welcoming spirit. With his son Robert Jr. by his side, Rob’s entry sparked discussions about the future of gardening education, flipping traditional roles as students and teachers exchanged gardening tips.

As the festival wrapped up, attendees were treated to an array of cupcakes by Maeflour Macrons, adorned with buttercream icing fashioned into dahlia shapes, adding a sweet finish to a day filled with community spirit and floral beauty. With such enthusiasm from both seasoned growers and new entrants, anticipation builds for next year’s festival and what new surprises it may hold.