Huge GTFA Participation at this Year's NC State Fair

Each year, the NC State Fair is our biggest fundraiser for the Greater Triangle Florist Association! There was a great turnout this year. There was only one slot that didn’t get filled. A lot of that was because of the help from our President, Danny Hinton and Theresa, the new manager at Cleveland Plant and Flower who offered to transport entries to and from the fairgrounds for those who had no transport. We owe them a great thanks. We also owe a great thanks to Pat Murray (Lifetime NCSFA member) for lining up all of our judges and making the entire process run smoothly. We also picked up some new members who participated at the fair. There were three shows with five categories and ribbons for places 1st thru 4th. Also, each competition had a “Best in Show” winner as well.

Author: Sarah Callahan, GTFA Secretary

Door Piece: The Seasons of NC

Create a door piece representing one of the four seasons. Pick any season you would like and make sure that season is showcased. Your entry will hang on a display door with your provided hanger.

Sympathy: Summer in NC

Create a memorial piece for an avid gardener who’s favorite time of year was summer using some of the things that would have been in their garden blooming at that time. No easels and the piece dimensions may not exceed 3×3 ft.

Surprise: Spring in North Carolina

Spring has Sprung! Create an arrangement fit for a spring Carolina afternoon tea party.

NC Products: Winter in North Carolina

Create a Winter centerpiece composed primarily of greenery and other natural items. Examples may include (but do not have to include) evergreens, magnolia, berries, pine cones, and you may also include dried materials. Must contain products that are native or grow in North Carolina.

Bridal: Fall in North Carolina

It’s fall wedding season in the South. Create something for a fall Carolina bride to carry down the aisle. Can be a bouquet, cascade, or other structure as long as it can be carried. Must be no longer or wider than 2 feet. Please provide a holder or sturdy vase with your name on the bottom for all entries.

First Show (Oct. 12th)

NC Products:

1st Place – Brandi’s Botanicals (BEST IN SHOW)
2nd Place – Wake Forest Florist
3rd Place – Southern Belle Florist
4th Place – John’s Flower Shop

Surprise:

1st Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
2nd Place – Bloomies on 42
3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
4th Place – John’s Flower Shop

Sympathy:

1st Place – Wake Forest Florist
2nd Place – Southern Belle Florist
3rd Place – Flower Gurl
4th Place – Bloomies on 42

Bridal:

1st Place – Venetian Gardens
2nd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
4th Place – Watered Garden Florist

Door Design:

1st Place – Flower Gurl
2nd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
3rd Place – Venetian Gardens
4th Place – No Show

Second Show (Oct. 16th)

NC Products:

1st Place – Cleveland Plant & Flower
2nd Place – Flower Gurl
3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
4th Place – Knightdale Florist

Surprise:

1st Place – Jodi McLeod
2nd Place – Flower Gurl
3rd Place – North Raleigh Florist
4th Place – Falls Lake Florist

Sympathy:

1st Place – Jodi McLeod (BEST IN SHOW)
2nd Place – Wake Forest Florist
3rd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals

Bridal:

1st Place – Purple Poppy Florist
2nd Place – Flower Gurl
3rd Place – John’s Flower Shop
4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals

Door Design:

1st Place – Cleveland Plant & Flower
2nd Place – Falls Lake Florist
3rd Place – Great Blooms Florist
4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals

Third Show (Oct. 19th)

Bridal:

1st Place – Floral Dimensions
2nd Place – North Raleigh Florist
3rd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
4th Place – Bloom Works

Sympathy:

1st Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction (BEST IN SHOW)
2nd Place – Floral Dimensions
3rd Place – Great Blooms
4th Place – Flower Gurl

Surprise:

1st Place – Wake Forest Florist
2nd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
3rd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
4th Place – Great Blooms

NC Products:

1st Place – Floral Dimensions
2nd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
3rd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
4th Place – Flower Gurl

Door Design:

1st Place – Great Blooms
2nd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
3rd Place – Floral Dimensions
4th Place – Great Blooms

Wine Down with GTFA was a great success. Designers had the opportunity to play and choose to create paper flowers, textile inspired jewelry or a candle holder. The projects turned out amazing. Fun mixed with education makes for a great design outing. The little things that are picked up and learned always filter to the daily design routines and benefit us as well as our customers.

We had a new member this evening as well from Great Blooms in Raleigh. Mr. Ben Erwin, excited to meet you and welcome to the GTFA family.

What a great meeting of the GTFA. Thank you to Petal and Oak along with Triangle Catering for their gracious hospitality. Their space and containers are amazing. The people attending were gorgeous too.