Presented by:
THE OHIO GOURD SOCIETY, INC.
at the
Delaware County Fairground
Delaware, Ohio
Friday, October 1, 2021 – Noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 2, 2021 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 3, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Show Theme
“I Heard It Through The Gourd Vine”
58th Annual Ohio Gourd Show
The phrase, “I heard it through the grapevine,” originated in the USA andcomes from the telegraph system invented in the 19th century by SamuelMorse. On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse sat before his instrument in the room of the Supreme Court at Washington and sent the first message: “WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT!”
Throughout the 20th century, the term came to mean hearing or learning of something through an informal means of communication – especially gossip. The phrase was reinforced for us in the 1960s when Gladys Knight & the Pips released “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” as a single in September 1967. Other early versions were also recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and by Marvin Gaye.
For the Gourd Society however, it is the gourd vine, rather than the grapevine, which brings us together. We spend countless hours working under our gourd vines, and then gather to show our gourds, share gourd art techniques and share our gourd stories. We talk about growing and crafting gourds, and we might even be heard to say, “You know what I heard?”
2021 Ohio Gourd Show Committee
President – Nelson Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Show Chair – tbd
Publicity – tbd
Workshops – Nelson Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Entries – John Martin, 937-446-2174
Judging – Karen and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Kids and Family Day – Vikkie Mustad, 740-215-3516
Vendors – Gordon Smith, 937-447-2845
Dinner – Judy Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Demonstrations – Celia Roberts, 937-692-6122
Souvenirs – Linda Rose, 740-965-8772
Ways & Means – Vikkie Mustad, 740-215-3516
Ways & Means – Linda Rose, 740-965-8772
2021 Schedule of Events
Friday, October 1
9 a.m. – Noon Workshops.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Gourd entry tags available. Exhibitors may place entries.
Noon Gourd Show open to the public.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshops.
5 p.m. Show closes for the day.
5:15 p.m. OGS Membership Meeting (check OGS website and watch notices at the Show for the location).
Saturday, October 2
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Gourd entry tags available. Exhibitors may place entries.
9 a.m. Gourd Show open to the public.
9 a.m. – Noon Workshops.
11 a.m. Entries close.
11:30 – 1 p.m. Judging of competitive entries. All, or portions of the exhibit hall may be closed for judging.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshops.
5 p.m. Show closes for the day.
6 p.m. Gourd Dinner and awards.
Sunday, October 3
9 a.m. Christian worship service. All are welcome.
10 a.m. Gourd Show open to the public. Special Events and Activities for KIDS and FAMILIES all day.
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Open demonstrations, come back for details
4 p.m. Show closes
Welcome to the Ohio Gourd Show, presented annually at the Delaware County Fairground (watch for signs). The Fairground is located at 236 Pennsylvania Avenue, Delaware, Ohio. The Show is open to the public with an admission fee of $5.00 per person ($7.00 for the weekend). The admission fee is waived for vendors, exhibitors and workshop leaders/participants. Parking is free, and children twelve and under are admitted without charge.
Camping is available at the Fairground. Please contact the Delaware County Fair Board (740-362-3851).
Gourds, gourd art, art and craft supplies and special programs are featured at the Show. Demonstrations, workshops and presentations throughout the weekend will highlight the world of gourds, and gourd art.
Gourd workshops are offered on Friday and Saturday. Onsite registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits.
A free and open demonstration event will also take place Sunday afternoon. Tables and chairs will be available for showing tools and techniques, for working on a favorite project and for conversation. Remember, we hear it through the gourd vine!
On Sunday all day, special activities for Kids and Familes will take place all day. LEARN how gourds are used for play, as musical instruments, birdhouses, useful tools! CREATE gourd crafts! Have fun with a photo booth; games and more!
The Show opens to the general public at Noon on Friday; however, placement of competitive entries will not be completed until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. A brief OGS Membership meeting is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The Saturday dinner (please secure a reservation using the 2021 Dinner Reservation Form) includes presentation of special awards and distribution of door prizes.
The Ohio Gourd Society proudly recognizes and thanks all of its sponsors, supporters, and friends. Special recognition goes to the Ohio Arts Council.
The OGS also extends thanks to Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH for providing meeting space for the Society, and for promoting and supporting gourd cultivation and gourd art.
Vendor Regulations
- Requests for vendor space (outdoors or indoors) may be addressed to Gordon Smith, Assistant Treasurer, 8420 New Harrison-Bradford Rd., Bradford, OH 45308 (937-447-2845). Table rental is $10 per table and must be paid in advance of the Show.
- In general, only exhibitors are permitted to sell items at the Show. Only one indoor sales location is allowed per qualified vendor. In order to sell at the Ohio Gourd Show, you must secure an Ohio Sales Permit (vendor’s license) and properly exhibit eight (8) entries.
- All vendors are required to donate 10% of gross sales (minimum donation of $25 and maximum donation capped at $400) to the OHIO GOURD SOCIETY, INC. This donation helps offset show expenses. Please remit donations to the Treasurer at the close of the show, or send donations to Ohio Gourd Society, Inc., Attn: Judy Litzenberg, 6863 Tucker Road, Centerburg, OH 43011. Vendors not meeting exhibit requirements may be requested to contribute an additional 5% donation (total 15%) of total sales as determined by the Show Committee.
- Vendors must be available for sales throughout the Show hours. Early departure is prohibited and may impact invitation to future Shows.
- Applications for space should be made at, or before, the time entries are submitted. Each qualifying vendor shall receive an assignment of sales space, and all sales are to be conducted within that space.
- Vendors may sell gourds, gourd craft, gourd tools, gourd-related books and gourd accessory materials/embellishments. Dried flowers, Indian corn, and natural decorative items, suitable for embellishing gourds, may also be sold. No squash, pumpkins (except jack-be-little or miniature), or potted plants, except those in gourd containers, are allowed.
- Vendors of fresh and dried gourds must be the growers.
- NOTE: The Show Chairperson, with the consent of two other OGS Officers, may waive one or more of the above regulations when it is in the best interest of OGS and visitors to the Ohio Gourd Show.