OHIO GOURD SHOW "Annie Get Your Gourd"   Pre-show Activities Friday, September 25, 2009 – 9 AM to 5 PM Show Hours Saturday, September 26  – 9 AM to 5 PM Sunday, September 27  – 9 AM to 4 PM at the Darke County Fairgrounds Greenville, Ohio

The Show Committee has selected the theme, “Annie Get Your Gourd” in honor of Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926).  Annie was born Phoebe Ann Mosey in a cabin just northeast of Greenville in Darke County, Ohio.  Her amazing talent with a rifle eventually led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, making her the first American female superstar.  Annie was the sixth of eight children born to Jacob and Susan Mosey.  Following her father’s death in 1866, her mother remarried and bore a ninth child.  At about the age of eight, Annie came under the care of the superintendent of the county poor farm, where she learned to sew and decorate.  By the time she was nine years old, Annie was hunting to help support her widowed mother and siblings.  Her skill eventually paid off the mortgage on her mother's farm when Annie was 15.  It is believed that Annie took the name Oakley from the Cincinnati neighborhood where she lived for a time. - abstracted from Wikipedia.com
 

Welcome to the 2009 Ohio Gourd Show.  The show will be staged in the Coliseum (exhibits, vendors, meeting area, and Sunday Worship) and Youth Building (workshops and meals,) on the Darke County Fairgrounds.  The fairgrounds are located near the intersection of State Routes 121 and 49 in southwest Greenville, OH.  The show is open to the public with an admission fee of $3.00 per person.  Parking is free, and children under twelve are admitted free.

Food, gourds, gourd art and gourd music are featured on the grounds.  Make it – Take it opportunities will be available without advanced reservation for children.  Gourd workshops (pre-registration required) are offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  The Coliseum is not open to the general public on Friday, but outdoor vendors may be open for business.  There will be a Friday night buffet in the coliseum (pre-registration requested).  The buffet is sponsored by OGS and a donation would be appreciated.

The Saturday dinner (pre-registration required) will include an auction of gourds, gourd art, and related supplies.  A brief OGS meeting will follow.

The Sunday morning breakfast (pre-registration required) will feature gourd hat contests for women, men, and children.  Wear your best gourd hat!  Everyone is welcome to participate in the hat contests without prior registration.

The Ohio Gourd Society is also hosting the AGS Judging Class at the 2009 Show.  To learn more about the class, or to obtain an application to attend, please visit the AGS website.

The Ohio Gourd Show is supported by a grant from the Darke County Visitors Bureau (www.VisitDarkeCounty.org).

Friday, September 25
9:00 a.m. – Noon. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
Noon - Gourd entry tags available on the lower floor of the Coliseum.  Exhibitors may place displays and  entries during the afternoon and evening.  Building closes at 9:00 p.m.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
4 p.m.–  6 p.m. American Gourd Society Judging Calss (Part 1)
6 p.m. – Evening Buffet (donation at the door, but reservations are requested.)
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. American Gourd Society Judging Class (Part 2)

Saturday, September 26
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Coliseum open to set up displays and entries.  Entry tags available until 11:00 a.m.
9 a.m. Show opens to the public.  .
9 a.m. – Noon Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Judging of competitive entries.(some areas may be closed or restricted during judging)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
5:00 p.m. Show closes.
6:00 p.m. Gourd Dinner (pre-registration is required) and Gourd Art auction followed by a brief meeting of the Ohio Gourd Society.

Sunday, September 27
7:00 a.m. Gourd Breakfast (pre-registration is required).
8:30 a.m. Christian Worship – everyone welcome.
9:00 a.m. Show opens to the public.
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
4:00 p.m. Show closes.  Drive safely!

Links to more show details:

• workshop schedule and registration information
• vendor regulations
• competitive entry information
• explanation of terms in competitive entry classes
• meal reservation information
• lodging information

Show Chair...........………………....................……………………Tim Moss, 937,547-0025
Publicity……………………………...........……..……….………….Lois Smith, 937-447-2845
Workshops.............................Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003 and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Entries and Judging ….…….............…………………Karen and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Staging...............................................................Charlotte and Tim Moss, 937-548-7127
Gourd Sales Area Inside……………..……...............................Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Gourd Sales Area Outside……………..……..........................Gordon Smith, 937-447-2845
Concessions……………………………….….…….………………Bruce Barber, 740-965-4661
Gourd Dinner………………………….………..….......Marilyn and Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Gourd Breakfast………………..….....Abe Martin, 513-351-0167, Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Music Program…………………………..................…..…….…Larry Sherman, 513-523-2458