Melon Fest theme takes Stanislaus County Fair exhibit back to ‘Good Old Days’
The Turlock Garden Club took its given theme of “The Good Old Days” literally when coming up with this year’s floriculture exhibit at the Stanislaus County Fair.
Club members went to the very beginning of “The Good Old Days” of the fair itself – the annual Melon Festival that began in 1911 and eventually evolved into today’s Stanislaus County expo.
“I did some reading on the history of Turlock,” garden club member Noreen Porath said. “We wanted to find something (for the exhibit) that had to do with our immediate area. The Melon Festival fit well into ‘the good old days’ theme.”
The exhibit – available for viewing in the floriculture building at the fairgrounds – garnered first place in the 10-by-20 division for the Turlock club, which worked from June 27 to July 6 on the display.
Some of the work for the exhibit was done at home by garden club members, then taken to the floriculture building later where the committee of 10 women joyously put it all together.
“If nothing else, we have a great time,” Porath said of the daily work on the booth. “(Fair organizers) told us that we have brought a different feeling to that whole area because we have so much fun.”
Indeed, the group totes in refreshments and snacks that they share with whomever stops by, she said. “We eat all day,” Porath said.
The trip down Melon Festival memory lane features a glimpse at some of the festivities enjoyed back in 1911, including a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, melons galore, fortune teller booths and a “Melon Queen,” as well as plants and flowers.
Another group from the Turlock Garden Club put together a separate waterfall and pond area, also inside the floriculture building. Not part of the competition, the waterfall/pond is a complementary exhibit that the group does annually.
A begonia garden was planted with birch tree accents, a garden fence and gate around the waterfall and pond area.
Porath said this is the fourth year the club has participated in the competition garden. Winnings each year go toward club projects across Turlock that include Jessica’s House, the Turlock Library, and downtown flower pots; the club also donates to groups and events such as the Salvation Army, Sober Grad Night and the Carnegie Arts Center.
The Stanislaus County Fair continues through Sunday, July 17, at the grounds at 900 N. Broadway in Turlock. The floriculture building is open 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 14, and Friday, July 15 and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17.
Patterson Garden Club takes best in show
Another trip down memory lane won not only divisional honors, but also the best in show award for the Patterson Garden Club.
The group’s exhibit at the Stanislaus County Fair won first place in the 10-by-10 division, in addition to the overall floriculture honors for its “Memories of Grandpa” display.
“Small gardens do not usually win BOS, but this display is so packed with beauty and whimsy it deserved to be recognized,” club member Diane Adams said in an email.
The display consists of colorful stepping stones that lead up a posy-lined walk, Adams said. A grandpa with a corncob pipe is depicted slumbering in his rocker on a porch with an ancient bug sprayer nearby. A garden of corn, peppers, tomatoes and herbs grows alongside flowers in edging and baskets.
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Melon Fest theme takes Stanislaus County Fair exhibit back to ‘Good Old Days’."