Annual Dahlia Show

 

There is NO cost to enter the Show!!

Southwest Idaho Dahlia Society (SWIDS)

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Jack’s Urban Meeting Place – JUMP

1000 W. Myrtle St.

Boise, ID 83702


SHOW PROGRAM

 

Friday, September 25, 2026

  • Bring Entries                        3:00 PM to 7:00 PM     
  • Staging Assistance Available – entries must be staged and placed by 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 26, 2026

  • Bring Entries – must be staged and placed before 9:30 AM

7:00 to 9:00 AM MST

  • Judges Meeting

9:30 AM

  • Judging begins        

10:00 AM

  • Open to the Public

10:00 AM

  • Educational Session TBD

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

  • Awards

3:00 PM

  • Show Closes

5:00 PM

 

Attention Exhibitors:

Please bring some extra blooms to the show to contribute to our Dahlia Bouquet sale.

 

Staging is permitted in the staging room only. Water is available. Exhibitors are required to bring their own containers to display their entries.

 

Removal of Entries: Entries are not to be removed prior to the closing of the show, no exceptions. Exhibitors who cannot remove their entries are expected to make arrangements for their removal.

 

We ask exhibitors to consider donating their show blooms to the staff at JUMP. Please no solicitation of blooms from exhibitors without prior approval. Thank you. 

FOR HORTICULTURAL SECTIONS; FIVE BLOOMS; UNDISSEMINATED; SEEDLING BENCH AND BASKETS please reference NWFDG details: Federation of Northwest Dahlia Growers General Rules

Ribbons awarded for first and second place; Prizes awarded for Best in Show Single bloom entry - fully double, Best in Show bloom entry - open center bloom; Best in Show Triple bloom entry - fully double; Best in Show triple bloom entry - open center blooms, Best Five Bloom, and Best Ball (Ball, Mini Ball, Pompon).

Junior Section

Use a blue tag – write JUNIOR on the top of the tag. 

Single bloom entries only; Your Favorite Bloom

Arrangement - See Arrangement Section

Open to exhibitors 16 years of age and under who have actively participated in the growing and showing of dahlias. Any worthy entry will receive either a blue or red ribbon. The best single bloom will be awarded a Section Champion ribbon and be recognized on the Head Table and receive a prize.  This section will be judged per the rules outlined in the Federation of Northwest Dahlia Growers Dahlia Annual.

 SPECIAL ENTRIES

Novice – Pink Tags;   Amateur – Yellow Tags;     Open – White Tags

 

DAHLIA OF THE YEAR

Sandia Bertha (Single Bloom Entry)

Novice………………………………………………………………….Class 261 A

Amateur ……………………………………………………………….Class 261 B

Open …………………………………………………………………...Class 261 C

 

OPEN TO AMATEUR, NOVICE, & OPEN

(Use White Tags)

First and second place ribbons are awarded in each category. 

 

2026 SWIDS CHALLENGE FLOWER - Kenora Challenger - Single Bloom Entry Class 262

FLOATING DAHLIA (One Bloom) - Artistic display of a single bloom, floating in a bowl that is wider than it is tall, in clear water with no greenery. Artistic display of a single bloom, floating in a bowl that is wider than it is tall, in clear water with no greenery. Class 263

FIRST TIME EXHIBITORS IN A DAHLIA SHOW - Any size Single Bloom Entry - Class 264

PEOPLES CHOICE - To be voted on by the public - Class 265

BICOLOR BLOOM - Single-bloom entry of any size or form of a bicolor dahlia. - Class 266

GARDEN VASE WITH DAHLIAS - New exhibitors are encouraged to enter this class. Bring your own vase for home display and fill it with seven or more dahlias. Other flowers and vegetation are allowed, yet dahlias MUST dominate. Bring as many entries as you wish. these to be sold to the public at $30 each. Proceeds to benefit the Idaho Food Bank - Class 267

MIKE DIETZ TRIBUTE: THE BIG ONES - Single-bloom entry of a large or giant variety. One entry per exhibitor and applicable to this class only.- Class 268

DAHLIA MARKET BUNCH - For all the flower farmers. Make your best Dahlia Market Bunch arranged in a sellable vessel. Each entry must have at least six dahlias, no filler, no leaves, and secure the blooms with a rubber band. 

Please review the rules for entry: Dahlia Market Bunch Rules

Make sure to label your entry with your farm’s identification by attaching your card or farms logo and leave contact information for future sales. These flower bunches will be sold to the public for $25.00 each. In 2025 a total of $575 was donated to the Idaho Foodbank. Proceeds to benefit The Idaho Foodbank - Class 269

 

BEST OF THE WEST

For all out of towners! Bring your best bloom grown from anywhere other than Idaho. Must be entered by the grower and transported to the show. Any form, size or color. Best Bloom wins a hotel stay to our show in 2027. Class - 270

 

DAHLIA PHOTOGRAPHY - OPEN TO NOVICE, AMATEUR, OPEN, & JUNIOR

Up to Three Entries per Class

Use White Tags

 

Dahlia - Single Bloom                                         Class 290

Dahlia – Multiple Blooms                                    Class 291

Dahlias with people, animals, or bugs                Class 292

Dahlias Macro Photography                                Class 293

Artistic Impression                                               Class 294

(Original or digitally enhanced)

 

Dahlia Photography Rules

ELIGIBILITY

Open to non-commercial photographers. Photos which have won prizes in any previous dahlia shows are ineligible. 

Photographers do not have to  have grown the blooms they photographed. 

FORMAT

In classes 290 and 291 the dahlia bloom or blooms must dominate the image area. Prints must be sized either “5 x 7” or “8 x 10” and in color. Prints must be matted inside or on a matt in a color of your choice and size that is fitting to the print. 

ENTRY TAGS

All entries use white tags. The following information must be printed in legible writing on a white tag: Class Number; Name of Photo (in name blank); Exhibitor Name; Exhibitor Number. Please attach the tag to the back of the photo so that it hangs below the photo and is readable when viewing the photograph from the front.

JUDGING

Entries will be judged from a cultural dahlia perspective (form, color, etc.) and a technical image perspective (composition, lighting, sharpness, ability to evoke emotion, etc.).

AWARDS

First and second place ribbons are awarded in each class. The best photograph in the show is awarded a prize.

 

ARRANGEMENT ENTRIES

THEME - STREAMING BLOOMS

Open to Novice, Amateur, Advanced Amateur – Use White Tags

 

First and second place ribbons are awarded in each category.

First place in each category is awarded $25.00.

Best in Show Arrangement is awarded (additional) $25.00.

.

 

MINI-SERIES ...................................................….............……………………………………….………Class 301

Create an arrangement in a tea-cup and saucer. The smaller the better. 

THE HALLMARK CHANNEL………………………………..……………………………….……….…Class 302

Create an arrangement in honor of someone you love. For this arrangement a 4 x 6 or smaller card may be placed in front of the arrangement describing the individual you are honoring. Blooms named in honor of the individual (i.e. River's Kaylee Jade) may be mentioned.    

FOOD TV…..........................……………………….……………………………………………….……….…Class 304

Create an arrangement inspired by your favorite food, meal or family tradition around food or drink.

HOME AND GARDEN ……………………………………………………………………….………………Class 305

Create a monochromatic arrangement that is inspired by your favorite indoor or outdoor space.  

MOVIE NIGHT (I.E- ET, TITANIC, STAR WARS, HARRY POTTER)…….……....……Class 305

 

Create an arrangement celebrating your favorite movie. 

 

JUNIOR ARRANGEMENT....................................................................................................Class 306

 

Open to Junior's age 16 or younger. Create an arrangement inspired by your favorite character or characters in a cartoon or anime show.

 

Arrangement Rules:

·       Dahlias must dominate in all arrangements; must have good color and substance and be free of insect and mechanical damage.

·       The size of the arrangement should be no larger than 24” x 24” square space yet can be taller than 24 inches. The arrangement should be finished on all sides, pending artistic design.

·       Plant material need not be grown by the exhibitor, but all arrangements must be arranged by the exhibitor.

·       Any flower, foliage and accessories including dried, treated, or painted material may be used. No artificial flowers and/or foliage of any kind may be used.

 

Federation of Northwest Dahlia Growers General Rules