With roots going back to the 1940s, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society’s annual Weed Show at the Old Schoolhouse Museum is as much a part of fall as the cool temperatures. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has more…
The Weed Show is one of Twentynine Palms’ oldest and most unique artistic traditions. This annual display, now in its seventh decade, features artistic arrangements of indigenous desert vegetation and found objects both natural and man-made. Think of it as local rendition of the traditional floral display. Each show follows a specific theme. The 2017 Weed Show theme is “No Business Like Old Business.” The event takes place Saturday, November 4, from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday, November 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no fee to enter your creation in the judged show or to see it. Entries are judged on subject matter, use of desert vegetation, use of accessories, artistic composition and originality. Entries will be judged in 12 categories, plus a People’s Choice award to be decided by exhibition visitors. The Weed Show highlights the beauty of local flora and the skill of local artisans. For more information visit
https://www.29palmshistorical.com/weedshow-2017/
2017 Weed Show Categories
Category 1 – Sparkle Plenty – Purple Glass – Arrangement using Museum Quality (flawless—see rules) purple glass as an accessory. FRESH PLANT MATERIAL ONLY.
Category 2 – Sam’s Character Room – Broken Purple Glass – Composition using Broken Purple glass (broken or imperfect) as an accessory.
Category 3 – 29 Palms Gemcrafts – Miniature 3x3x3 overall composition.
Category 4 – Dixie Donuts – Miniature 6x6x6 overall composition.
Category 5 – Ma Penn’s – Composition using an item related to cooking as an accessory.
Category 6 – Pill Hill – Composition using an item related to medical or animals as an accessory.
Category 7 – Starlight Rollerink – Composition using an item related to desert entertainment as an accessory.
Category 8 – 29 Palms Lumber – Composition using weathered wood as an accessory.
Category 9 – The Desert Trail – Composition using things you find on a desert trail as an accessory.
Category 10 – Sabol’s Trading Post – This is the no-holds-barred category. Anything goes but basic rules still apply.
Category 11 – The Paint Pot – Kids up to 12 – Use your imagination. Legos welcomed.
Category 12 – Benton Bros (has it all) – Oversized composition to be staged outside. (Any entry which exceeds the length, width, height, or weight limitations set out in the rules are placed outside.)
RULES FOR ENTERING THE 2017 WEED SHOW:
Enter as many categories as you wish, but you can only have ONE entry per category.
All compositions MUST include dried desert plants; it is a weed show, after all.
Each entry MUST have an accessory to fit the category, as indicated in the category descriptions.
Only natural adhesives may be used to hold the entry together, i.e., clay, sand, sap, etc. (that means no hot glue, oasis foam, mortar, grout, etc.)
No artificial plants are allowed. No live critters are allowed.
Your entry must be solid and stable enough to permit handling by a committee member. Only a committee member will be allowed to reposition a display. Construction paper or mat board may be used to complement your entry.
Due to limited space in the museum, the maximum size for indoor entries is 20”x16” and no more than 24” high with a maximum weight limit of 10 lbs. Larger or heavier entries will automatically be staged outside and will be unattended. Each outside entry must be strong enough to withstand wind and weather.
Category 1 is an ARRANGEMENT which uses ONLY fresh plant material, not necessarily native plants. All other categories are COMPOSITIONS which may include fresh desert plant material together with a dried desert plant in its natural state, that is, not varnished or painted. A composition can also use dried desert plants exclusively.
Category 11 is ONLY for children 12 years of age and under. Entries must conform with general rules. Children may enter any other category but will be judged with the adults.
Entries must be brought to the museum between 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday, November 3 or Saturday, November 4 from 7 to 9 a.m. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Everything must be assembled and completed by 9:15 a.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. Judging is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Entries must be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov 5. Please, no early pickups. The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is not responsible for loss, damage or unclaimed entries.
