The Hall of Flowers truly goes to the dogs (and other pets!) this year as the Fair pays homage to our animal friends with Petals and Pets. This partnership between the traditionally beautiful flower gardens and our furry and feathered friends is a sometimes whimsical and sometimes poignant look at the cats, dogs, and other critters that give our lives special meaning. Garden-lovers and pet-lovers alike will enjoy this blending of flora and fauna. Fanciful animals will appear in gorgeous gardens around the Hall. The Flower Show is free with Fair admission and opens at noon each day of the fair. Flower Show designer Greg Duncan and his crew provide a themed “background” for the show, including murals, water features, and huge themed props that fill the center of the Hall. Entering through the main entrance, visitors to the Hall of Flowers will encounter a huge fountain shaped like a giant fire hydrant, a symbol near and dear to dogs and their people. It will truly be raining cats and dogs at one end of the building, while at the other, the focus will be on the “Rainbow Bridge” our pets traverse to journey to the great beyond. Center stage are the professional gardeners whose designs give life to their interpretations of different aspects of this year’s theme. Each gardener fills their space with plants and small props using an assigned pet-related theme. They compete for colorful rosettes and cash prizes, which help to offset the cost of materials. The “Petals and Pets” theme will extend into the Garden Courtyard, where Junior and Amateur Gardeners work with pet-related themes. Professional and amateur gardeners spend months planning their gardens. Installation of the gardens requires two or more weeks of work on-site. All work must be finished by judging day, Thursday, July 31. After seeing the sights, you can stop at an all-new Yappy Hour Bar & Lounge for a break where you will find a selection of wine, beer, and themed drinks for adults. The Flower Show is free with Fair admission and opens at noon each day of the Fair.

Monday, August 11 • 7 am to 1 pm

Imagine how some of the spectacular plants and props used in the Hall of Flowers would look in your home garden! The Flower Show Plant Sale is where you can purchase shrubs, grasses, trees, and flowers. Arrive early for best selection! The annual Hall of Flowers Plant Sale starts at 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, and continues until 1 p.m. There is no admission charge, and parking is free. If you are planning to purchase more than a few plants, you might want to bring a wagon or small cart. 

This year the adult and youth floriculture and horticulture entries – cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants, and wheelbarrow gardens – will be displayed in the Garden Building. You can enter from the Garden Courtyard or off of Magnolia Ave. Look for Adult and Youth cut flowers, flower arrangements, produce, potted plants and gimmicks.

Plant Sale • Beekeepers • Advice • Wine

The Garden Courtyard is more than just a shortcut between Linwood Avenue (Mexican Village) and Maple Avenue (Shade Park). The Rodney Strong Vineyards Lounge holds pride of place in the center, surrounded by Youth Garden Exhibits, Wheelbarrow Garden, and informational booths and displays. The Men’s Garden Club Plant Sale offers a variety of locally grown potted plants. Sonoma County Beekeepers Association display is a focus on sustainable beekeeping, education, and gardening for bees and pollinators. Master Gardeners will staff their display and be available to answer questions about local plants, pests, and more.

As our sponsor of the Garden Courtyard, Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership will have a small low-water demonstration garden.