Hall of Flowers | Sonoma County Fairgrounds

The Hall of Flowers

Sponsored by Sonoma Clean Power, Morris Distributing, Jackson Family Wine, Urban Tree Farm, and Sonoma County Water Agency

2022 Island of Adventure

At work behind the scenes for the past four months, Sonoma County's professional landscapers, landscape designers, amateur gardeners and young floral enthusiasts are busy creating a flower lover's dream come true!

Sonoma County Fair The first step in the Hall of Flowers starts months before the Fair begins. Designer Greg Duncan and his crew begin by painting murals, building props and filling in the "bones" of the show. This year that meant installing giant tiki gods and building a surf shop amonth other things. Then, as the Fair approaches, local professional and amateur gardeners, landscapers and landscape designers move in to bring the gardens to life. This year, each garden will highlight a a tropical island. From Isla Nublar to Bali Hai. Visitors can expect water features, and even a tiki bar where you can put your toes in the sand.

Junior Gardens

As you make your way from the Hall of Flowers through the garden courtyard, you will discover over 13 gardens uniquely themed garden plots designed by local gardeners and youth organizations. These gardeners spend several months planning their gardens. Then installation of the gardens requires two weeks of work.

Plant Sale

Sunday. August 14 (7pm-10pm)
Monday, August 15 (7am-1pm)

Imagine how some of the spectacular plants and props used in the Hall of Flowers would look in your home garden! The Hall of Flowers Plant Sale is where you can purchase shrubs, grasses, trees, and flowers. Arrive early for best selection! Pick some up at the annual Hall of Flowers Plant Sale, starting on the last night of the Fair, Sunday, Aug. 14 and continuing the next morning, Monday, Aug. 15, 7 am - 1 pm. If you shop on Sunday and buy something large, you can leave it at the Hall of Flowers and pick it up the next day. To allow Garden Exhibitors time to prepare for the Sale, the Hall of Flowers will close at 8 p.m. on Aug. 14, the last night of the Fair.

Flower Show Dedication

Sam and Rita McMillan

This year’s Sonoma County Flower Show is dedicated to Sam and Rita McMillan. The McMillans have participated in the fair’s flower show for more than 40 years, donating their time and talent to make it one of the best shows on the west coast.

Through their involvement with the Men’s Garden Club and the Elsie Allen Ag Boosters, the McMillans have helped with prize-winning garden exhibits that inspire and educate fairgoers about the horticultural wonders of Sonoma County. Sam and Rita consider their work in the flower show part of their family tradition of being involved in the Sonoma County Fair. The couple, both 76 and natives of Sonoma County, come from agricultural families who were immersed in the fair through Farm Bureau and the Men’s Garden Club as well as 4-H and FFA. In fact, Sam McMillan and Rita Brians, the daughter of the late Ted and Marta Brians, met at the Sonoma County Fair in 1970 while helping build an agriculture feature exhibit for the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers. Sam’s parents, the late Sam and Huda McMillan, were members of the Men’s Garden Club, which annually does a garden exhibit as part of the fair’s flower show. Sam and Rita helped Sam’s parents with the garden exhibit for many years and, later, joined the Men’s Garden Club themselves, continuing to this day as stalwart members of the organization.

It's because of the support of people like the McMillans that the flower show is one of the most popular and enduring attractions at the annual fair. The Sonoma County Fair is honored to dedicate the 2022 flower show to Sam and Rita McMillan.

Hall of Flowers Preview Party

Join us for a special sneak preview of this year's Hall of Flowers exhibits showcasing, "Islands of Adventure", during the Preview Party. Enjoy wine and appetizers while you are the first to peruse this year's gardens. All proceeds go to the Hall of Flowers Scholarship Fund.