- Gourds must predominate in all classes (see Special Competition for the exception).
- All Exhibits and Entries must be in place, with proper entry tagsattached, by 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2020. An entry number and class number must be visible on each entry tag.
- Exhibitors may pick up printed entry tags at the Show on Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and Saturday morning (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.).
- “On-site” entries will be accepted depending on space available. These on-site entries may be arranged at the Show on Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and Saturday morning (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.).
- Entries must remain in place until 4 p.m., Sunday, October 4, 2020. An entrant’s name (including contact information) may be made visible on the entry tag or on a separate card after judging has been completed.
- Entries/special exhibits are open to all and there is no entry fee.
- Entry forms for classes or special exhibits must be postmarked by Sept. 21, 2020, so that proper staging can be arranged. Please anticipate all entries since there may not be room for late entries. There is no penalty for failing to enter a class for which an entry tag has been requested. Circle all class numbers to be entered and mail the entry form to: Ohio Gourd Show Entry, c/o John F. Martin, 438Sardinia Mowrystown Road, Sardinia, OH 45171. Email entries(transmitted by Sept. 23) are acceptable and may be sent to martin.jf.kl@frontier.com. Each entrant receives a unique number.
- Only one entry per exhibitor is allowed in each class.
- Any art/craft item (Divisions III, IV, V or VI) entered in competition in 2017-18-19, may not be entered in 2020. These items may be used in non-competitive, special exhibits or the “gallery” class (#139). Do not enter craft made by someone else. Judges have the authority to exclude any entry known to be in violation of this rule.
- Entries will be judged on Saturday, October 3, 2020, starting at 11:30 a.m. Exhibitors are not to influence or interfere with judges while judging is in progress. All or portions of the display area may be closed during judging.
- All classes will be judged from 1st through 4th place. Ribbons will be awarded in each class. Recognition will also be given for high show points in each Division and for special awards including the Jim Story Award, the Stevens Family Award, the John Stevens Award, the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award. Show Points are calculated as follows: 1 st Place – 4 points, 2nd Place – 3 points, 3rdPlace – 2 points, 4th Place – 1 point. Entries in two or more names are not eligible for Show Points.
- The Ohio Gourd Society, Inc., and Delaware County Fair Board shall not be responsible for any accidents, losses or breakage of entries, containers, exhibits or displays.
- Classes 1 through 43 in Div. I, Classes J1 through J5 in Div. V, and Classes Y1 through Y6 in Div. VI must be from the 2020 crop.
- The Ohio Gourd Society believes that the natural qualities of gourds should be emphasized. Plastic or artificial materials are discouraged, except for the silk flower arrangement and/or functional use of a craft (i.e. items such as fantasy animals and fishing lures which may benefit from use of plastic embellishments).
- No squash or pumpkins, including sweet dumplings and/or miniature pumpkins, are to be used in entries or displays.
- Mature gourds that have started to dry (cure) may be exhibited. Gourds that are spoiling or diseased should not be exhibited, and may be removed from the display area by the Show Committee.
- As stated in the AGS Judging Handbook, stems are not required in the Growers Divisions except where specifically mandated by the show rules. Stems are considered by AGS to be part of the plant, but not part of the fruit. The Ohio Gourd Show Committee suggests, however, that fresh and dried gourds (Divisions I and II) have stems attached where possible. This adds to the overall completeness and visual appeal of the gourd. Stems on gourd craft items (Division III) and all Preschool, Junior and Youth entries, are optional.
- Live evergreens are not permitted because of fire safety concerns. Artificial trees are permissible where used as part of a display.
- Materials from protected species (feathers, parts, etc.), animal or plant, are prohibited.
- Accessory material is allowed except where specifically prohibited.
- SPECIAL EXHIBITS are encouraged. Exhibits are non-competitive, and may feature the work of an artist, historically relevant displays, international work, etc. Table space (approximately 30 inches wide) will be furnished, but exhibitors must supply staging materials. For space, please contact Karen or John Martin (937-446-2174).
The Ohio Gourd Show conducts judging of competitive entries in accordance with the American Gourd Society Judging Handbook adopted
February 2008. The Handbook is available on-line at www.americangourdsociety.org. The 2020 Ohio Gourd Show judges will utilize Option C (verbal consensus) in considering the various competitive classes. The Show Committee will arrange for the evaluation of “Special Competition” and “Special Awards” as separate judging activities.
Rule 7.6 of the AGS Judging Handbook indicates that in cases where only one entry is made in a class, that entry will generally be awarded “First Place.” The Ohio Gourd Show will follow that guideline, and a first place award will be given unless the entry does not meet the requirements of the class. Where four or more qualified entries are present, all ribbons will be awarded. Duplicate ribbons will only be given if a class is reevaluated according to AGS Rule 4.4.
American Gourd Society’s Jim Story Award
Jim Story from Pendleton, Indiana was a gourd gardener, a gourd manipulator, a gourd artist, an experimenter, a teacher, and an AGS supporter. He inspired many of us to try new and different techniques, a number of which he pioneered. He is a legend in the Gourd World. In his honor, AGS recognizes excellence and innovation in dry, handtrained gourds. The winner of Class 59 is eligible to participate in the national Jim Story Award competition.
John Stevens Award
John Stevens was a major force, along with his father O.C. Stevens, in the development and continuation of the Ohio Gourd Society, the Ohio Gourd Show, and the American Gourd Society. He was a gourd grower, teacher and avid supporter of gourds. A long time show chair and judge,
he especially appreciated competition among fresh (green) gourds. This award recognizes a specimen that is true to its type and of high quality/cultural perfection.
Stevens Family Award
The Stevens Family Award, honoring the accomplishments of its members with regard to gourd cultivation, gourd art and development of
the Ohio Gourd Society, is presented to the best entry in Division III, Gourd Craft. It recognizes imagination, workmanship and execution, as
well as overall presentation. For this award, “gourds must predominate.” Judges’ Choice Award The Judges’ Choice Award allows all participating Judges to vote for their favorite gourd entry! It is a measure of the quality of gourds and gourd art, without regard for classes and requirements, through the eyes of trained evaluators. The votes will be gathered on Saturday afternoon, after the official judging. The entry with the most votes wins! An award will be given at the Saturday night award ceremony.
People’s Choice Award
During the show on Friday and Saturday, visitors to, and participants in the Ohio Gourd Show will be able to cast a vote for their favorite gourd entry! This is a real measure of the popularity of an entry, and it is a highly coveted honor. The entry with the most votes will be awarded a ribbon at the Saturday night award ceremony.
PLEASE READ YOUR RULES CAREFULLY
When the Show Committee determines it to be in the best interest of
the Ohio Gourd Society and visitors to the Ohio Gourd Show, the
Show Chairperson, with the consent of two other OGS Officers, may
waive one or more of the rules for exhibitors and vendors.
Accessories or accessory material: This is any material, gourd or otherwise, that is added to the gourd(s) to complete a display. Accessory material is permitted unless specifically prohibited.
Assorted: Any class calling for “assorted” gourds should contain gourds of differing shape, color and size, within the limitations stated for the class.
Base: Often gourds require assistance in order to sit firmly at the proper angle. A “base” is that support material – wood, rubber, metal, gourd, etc. that holds a gourd at the proper attitude. It may or may not be attached to the gourd.
Clear finish: Any finish, such as colorless varnish, shellac, wax, or oil, which enhances the overall appearance of the gourd or gourd craft but adds no color (except the slight darkening that may accompany the clear finish) is considered clear.
Color: This is any medium that adds to, or changes the color of a gourd (except slight darkening that may accompany a clear finish). Examples of color that may be applied to a gourd include, but are not limited to, paint (acrylic, oil, watercolor, etc.), stain, ink, dye, colored pencil and shoe polish.
Cut Gourd: A cut gourd is one in which the shell has been penetrated by cutting, carving, drilling, burning, etc. Bowls, baskets, vases, bottles, etc. are examples.
Gourd Basket: A gourd with the top cut off and a handle attached, or a gourd cut so that the top serves as the handle. Lids are generally optional.
Gourd Bowl: Usually a round gourd that is wider than it is tall. The general appearance is a container that is intended to sit still.
Hardshell: These are “white blossom” gourds of the genus Lagenaria. They include, but are not limited to the bottles, dippers, canteens, cannonballs, bushels, kettles, bananas, etc. Ornamental: These are “yellow blossom” gourds which are generally very colorful. They represent the genus Cucurbita. They include, but are not limited to the spoon, egg, orange, crown of thorns, spinning gourd, etc.
Other: When used in the Show Schedule to define a class, the word “other” indicates a class or technique which has not been previously specified.
Paint: Color may be added to a gourd by paint, stain, ink, etc. In general paint refers specifically to acrylic, oil and water color paints, including water and solvent-based markers. Paint does not include stain, dye, or ink.
Special Exhibit: These are non-competitive displays of gourds or gourd-related items that have educational or artistic interest.
Special Competition: Those competitive classes not covered by the AGS Handbook, and not part of the Official Show, are noted as Special Competition.
Whole Gourd: This is a gourd which does not have holes or openings cut, burned or drilled completely through the shell. It may be called an “uncut gourd.” Carving may be accomplished on a whole gourd as long as it does not completely penetrate the shell.