Listen here:
Since 1940 – the Twentynine Palms Weed Show has been showcasing the Mojave Desert’s unique plantlife – alongside man-made objects weathered and worn by the basin’s sand, sun and rain. If the concept isn’t clear yet – think of a traditional floral table display and run it through some high-desert filters – and you’ve got yourself an entry for the world-famous weed show that’s taking place this Saturday and Sunday at the Old Schoolhouse Museum in 29 Palms.
The space will be both filled both inside and out with folk-art displays that use dried desert vegetation to create whimsical sculptures in one of 13 unique categories. For example – one category called “Purple Mountain Majesty” requires the creator to highlight a piece of sun-purpled desert glass, surrounded by weeds which the dictionary defines as “ a plant that grows wild and is not valued for use or beauty.”
That definition is challenged by the Weed Show’s origin – a story from 1940 when the Twentynine Palms Women’s Club was hosting a Pasadena printmaker who commented on the beauty of the high-desert’s weeds and – from that comment grew a folk-art tradition that is now in it’s 82nd year.
The Weed Show will be held this Saturday from Noon to 4PM and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM – at the Twentynine Palms Historical Society Old Schoolhouse Museum.
Link: Weed Show at Twentynine Palms Historical Society
Link: Categories for Weed Show 2022 (PDF)
