If you love big, splashy flower blossoms that are vibrant and colorful, then you don't want to miss the Tennessee Dahlia Society Show this weekend.
This sanctioned and adjudicated show of the American Dahlia Society will be held in Eastgate Town Center, 5600 Brainerd Road, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29. The show can be found in the large rear lobby of Eastgate.
"This year, the Tennessee Dahlia Society will be host for several other Southern state dahlia societies," says Jay Borton, president of the Tennessee Dahlia Society.
"Growers from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will all display their best blooms in the competition. Sanctioned judges will award ribbons and prizes to the winning blooms before the show is open to the public on Saturday," he says.
There's no charge to visit the show to admire the tables and tables filled with perfect blooms that dazzle in a wide variety of colors and sizes. And the best part is that visitors can take some home at the show's conclusion.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, visitors may choose blooms in return for a donation to the society.
"We are a nonprofit, and as such, can't sell blooms," says Borton. "Instead, we rely on the generosity of the public to make donations to defray the cost of the show."
If you miss this weekend's show, there's a second chance to pick some dahlias for your home on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Chattanooga Market. Borton says the dahlia society members will distribute blooms at the market in return for donations.
If you want to learn more about dahlias or growing them, visit the Tennessee Dahlia Society meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the East Ridge Wally's restaurant, 6521 Ringgold Road.
"At these monthly meetings, discussions on the care and handling involved in the growing of dahlias help seasoned and novice growers alike. The meeting are always open to the public," says Borton.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/tndahlias/
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.