58th Annual Ohio Gourd Show 
Presented by:
THE OHIO GOURD SOCIETY, INC. at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, 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”
For 2021 OGS SHOWBOOK, click HERE:
Changes and corrections:
- Dinner reservations are due September 17, 2021. No deadline was listed in the original Showbook.
- Early registration for workshops is extended to September 25, 2021.
- These classes are FULL: #4. Full Moon and a Starry Night; #7, Wavy Gourd Basket. #9, Stamp, Doodle, and Coil; #17. Wavy Gourd Basket.
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 Schedule of Events
Friday, October 1
9 a.m. – Noon Workshops (see advanced registration form; Registration Forms On-site registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits)
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Gourd entry tags available. Exhibitors may place entries.
12:00 p.m Gourd Show open to the public. Workshops and Vendor sales. Special activities include “make it and take it” gourd crafts.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshops (see advanced registration form Registration Forms ; On-site registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits).
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. Gourd Show open to the public. Workshops and Vendor sales. Special activities include “make it and take it” gourd crafts, musical entertainment and demonstrations.
9 – 11 a.m. Gourd entry tags for competition available. Exhibitors may begin place entries
9 – Noon Workshops (see advanced registration form Registration Forms; On-site registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits).
11 a.m. Gourd entries close.
11:30 – 1 p.m. Judging of competitive entries. All, or portions of the exhibit hall may be closed for judging.
12 – 12:30 p.m Musical Entertainment by Mbira Ohio
1 p.m. – 5 p.m Workshops (see advanced registration form Registration Forms; On-site registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits).
1:00 – 1:30 p.m Demonstration – Gourds in Culinary and Healing Arts, Satya Jonnalagadda.
2:00 – 2:30 p.m Musical Entertainment by Mbira Ohio
5 p.m. Show closes for the day.
6 p.m. Gourd Dinner and Awards (see advanced registration form Registration Forms)
Sunday, October 3
9 a.m. Christian worship service. All are welcome.
10 a.m. Gourd Show open to the public. Vendor sales. Special exhibits include “make it and take it” gourd craft, Betty Finch gourd marionettes and masks; demonstrations and information exchange. Special “Kids and Family Day” crafts, games and activities (see schedule below).
1 pm – 4 p.m Open demonstration/information exchange. Please check back for updates and schedule.
Sunday, October 3, Kids and Family Day Activities
10:00 – 12 p.m Gourd crafts; games; Scavenger Hunt; touch table, Betty Finch Gourd Marionnette and Mask display. Gourd Touch table. Youth program display.
12:30 p.m Musical entertainment by Ramirez family
1:00 p.m Gourds as musical instruments, featuring Mbira Ohio and John Martin.
2:00 – 4 p.m. Gourd crafts; games; Scavenger Hunt; touch table.
2021 Ohio Gourd Show
Welcome to the Ohio Gourd Show, presented annually at the Delaware County Fairground. 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, volunteers, workshop leaders/participants. Parking is free, and children twelve and under are admitted without charge.
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. Themed photo booths will be set up around the area throughout the Show. Gourd workshops (see links for reservation forms) are offered on Friday and Saturday. On-site registrations for workshops will be accepted as space permits.
On Sunday, October 3, all day, special activities for Kids and Families 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!
We are excited to announce that Mbira Ohio will be entertaining and educating us on Zimbabwean marimba and mbira music both at our gourd show! Performances will be on Saturday and Kids and Family Day on Sunday.
We are excited to announce that Betty Finch will be entertaining us on with her trademark natural gourd marionettes and masks. She will be performing for Kids and Family Day on Sunday.
Free and open demonstration event will also take place Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Tables and chairs will be available for showing tools and techniques, for working on a favorite project and for conversation.
Join Satya Jonnalagadda, a registered and licensed nutritional professional, as she demonstrates uses of gourds in cooking and educates us on the cultural and historic uses of gourds in nutrition and health in Southeast Asia. Demonstrations will be on both Saturday & Sunday.
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.
The Saturday dinner (please secure a reservation using the 2021 Dinner Reservation Form) includes presentation of special awards and distribution of door prizes.
Vendor Regulations
NOTE: The Show Chairperson, with the consent of two other OGS Officers, may waive one or more of the Vendor regulations when it is in the best interest of OGS and visitors to the Ohio Gourd Show. 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.
- 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). Applications are due by August 15. Table rental is $10 per table to be paid with the application.
- 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 contribute 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 will 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 the 2021 Show.
- 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.
2021 Ohio Gourd Show Committee
President – Nelson Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Publicity – Suzanne Rothhaar, 419-562-0170
Workshops – Nelson Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Entries – John Martin, 937-446-2174
Judging – Karen and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Staging – Karen and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Vendors – Gordon Smith, 937-447-2845
Dinner – Judy Litzenberg, 740-501-7918
Demonstrations – Celia Roberts, 937-692-6122
Souvenirs – Suzanne Rothhaar, 419-562-0170
Volunteers – Linda Rose, 740-965-8772