OK, it’s only July, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about what to enter in the 2026 Show What You Grow harvest display/contest happening on Sunday, September 6. Held at the Denman Community Hall as part of the Blackberry Faire and sponsored by Denman Island Garden Society, this friendly competition is open to Denman and Hornby Islanders of all ages.
The rules are simple: all entries must be grown or hand-made by the entrant. Categories cover 30-plus varieties of vegetables, fruits, and flowers as well as harvest baskets, largest/weirdest vegetable, and homemade preserves and baked goods. Kids 12 and under are invited to submit entries in baking, vegetable decoration, flowers, and fall-themed art. There will also be a scarecrow contest, so get your imagination fired up.
To make this event truly special, we need volunteers. If you can help with setting up (possibly the night before), cleaning up, receiving/displaying entries, or judging a certain section, please call Shirley Ward at 250-335-2480. We also want to make the hall look especially festive, so please consider bringing fall-themed natural vegetation (e.g. corn stalks) or hand-made decorative items for display.
Watch for details about contest categories, scarecrows, how to enter, criteria for judging, prizes, decorating and more in August.
