Miniscapes Competition

MINISCAPES COMPETITION

Chairman: Lisa Blum

Committee: Kristine Faust, Bridget Ofczarzak, Helen Paul, Jack Winterrowd

The Miniscapes Competition is open to individuals or teams. Competition will take place at the Burleson County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

• Check In: 2:00-2:30p.m.
• All Miniscape supplies must be in place by 2:00p.m.
• Competition: 2:30-4:00p.m.
• Judging: Immediately following
• Results after judging

There will be two divisions in this competition. Juniors (3^rd-8^th grade) and Senior (9^th-12^th grade). Entries must be entered on ShoWorks at burlesoncl.fairwire.com by midnight Friday, September 5, 2025. You will upload completed creative living horticulture miniscape forms (found at www.burlesoncountyfair.com) during online entries. The Horticulture Committee will confirm your entry via email. There will be an informative meeting (not mandatory) on Thursday, June 4, 2025, at 7:00p.m. in the EXPO Building.

Individuals or teams (a team is considered no more than two exhibitors). Entry fees will be $10 per individual or $20 per team. Entry fee payments are due on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at check in. This will be considered a Burleson County Fair Creative Living Project. Entry fees arenon-refundable. Please see the BCFA Website for any updates or additional details at www.burlesoncountyfair.com.

Competition Format: This will be a team competition consisting of two contestants in the same age division. There will be no single person entries. Entry fee will be $20 per team.

Design Guidelines: Exhibitors should review the guidelines prior to preparing their entry. Questions may be directed to the Horticulture Committee.

• The planter, plants, and mulch/soil for planter will be provided.
• Each exhibitor is encouraged to bring any additional items that relates to the fair theme. (This years theme for Miniscapes is Classic Children's Story Book)
• Additional items should be able withstand sunny, warm conditions.
• Planters will be displayed outside throughout the fair.
• No living creatures may be used in the design.
• Entries should be designed to be viewed from all sides.
• Entries may not display signage that names the team’s school, school district or FFA/4-H Chapter, or individual(s). A sign will be provided upon completion of judging for display on the grounds.
• Exhibitors are responsible for bringing wagons, carts, wheelbarrows, etc. to transport their materials from the parking lot to the exhibit area.

DAY OF COMPETITION:

• Check-in for Miniscapes will be on the grounds of the Burleson County Fair on Saturday, September 20^th starting at 2:00p.m. The competition begins at 2:30p.m. The design must be completed by 4:00p.m.
• Exhibitors will be met by the Horticulture Committee volunteers; the volunteers will assist with check in, direct the exhibitors to the exhibit area.
• Parents and adult leaders may assist with moving in supplies and planter materials to the competition area but must vacate the area prior to commencement of the competition.
• Carts/wagons are recommended for transporting materials from vehicle to competition area.
• The planting and design of the planter must be performed by the exhibitors ONLY.
• No cell phones, iPads, watches, or any other type of communication device is allowed in the competition area.
• Paper sketches of design are allowed in the competition area.
• The exhibitor is responsible for providing any additional items that relates to the fair theme.
• The exhibitor is responsible for bringing all tools needed to prepare their planter.
• Buckets will be provided for each team to use for holding purposes while the design is being planted. Any extra material not used can be left in the supplied buckets and the Horticulture committee will keep for reuse.
• Trash Containers will be provided for each team to clean up their areas and throw all trash away when planting is complete.
• Entries will be watered and maintained by the Horticulture Committee. You may bring water if your design requires water. Once competition starts you will not be allowed to leave your project to collect water, nor can anyone bring you water.
• The show is not responsible for lost, damaged, or dead items. Small items, accessories, etc. should be securely fastened to their container. Items of great sentimental value should not be used. It is MANDATORY to remove any type of tones or other types of hardscape used in your design on Sunday, September 28, 2025 along with your plants.
• No communication between contestants and any other persons will be tolerated. Any violation of this rule may result in immediate disqualification from the competition.
• Entries will be viewed from one side only.
• Contestants will draw for containers during the check in process. Every effort will be made by the Horticulture Committee to ensure the containers are the same size and the same plants will be provided to all contestants.
• The judge(s) may interview the contestants while they are completing the Miniscape OR following the completion of the competition. ALL contestants should plan to remain in the judging area until released by the judge(s).
• IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT THE MINISCAPE PLANTS REMAIN INTACT IN THE ORIGINAL POTS OR CONTAINERS IN WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY GROWING. FOR LONGEVITY AND TO AVOID TRANSPLANT SHOCK, THE PLANTS SHOULD BE ARRANGED AS DESIRED BUT REMAININ THEIR POTS. POINTS WILL NOT BE DEDUCTED FOR LEAVING PLANTS IN THEIR ORIGINAL POTS OR CONTAINERS. MULCH, SOIL, OR DESIGN ELEMENTS MAY BE USED TO HIDE THE CONTAINERS.
• Contestants will be provided a list of possible plants two weeks prior to the competition in order to plan their Miniscapes. One or more “SURPRISE” plants my be added to the list on the day of competition.

Judging: The Horticulture Committee will select qualified judges for each competitive event. Any questions about the judging criteria may be directed to the Horticulture Committee.

Entries will be judged on a 100-point system:

• 50 points will be awarded for the completed design elements.
• 30 points will be awarded for the staging and quality of design
• 10 points will be awarded for the design relating to the stated design theme.
• 10 points will be awarded for the contestant interview during the competition.

The scoring rubric will be posted on the BCF Website for contestants to read and become familiar with prior to the competition.

ALL contestants must be prepared to explain to the judges what their plant choices are and how their design choices fit stated theme.

Winning entries will be announced on Saturday, September 20, 2025 following final judging tabulation.

Winning exhibitors will be recognized.

Judges’ decisions are final.

Plaques and pennants will be awarded to the Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion. Placement ribbons will be given to those placing 3^rd-10^th.

Removal: Exhibitors MUST REMOVE their personal design materials on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Any plants or materials left after 12:00p.m. will be disposed of or become the property of Burleson County Fair Association. Containers will be moved to their storage location.