2011 OHIO GOURD SHOW "A symphony of Gourds"   Pre-show Workshops Friday, September 23:  9 AM to 5 PM Certified Judge class - 7 PM Show Hours Saturday, September 24:  9 AM to 5 PM Sunday, September 25:  9 AM to 4 PM at the Darke County Fairgrounds Greenville, Ohio

In part, Webster defines “Symphony” as, “1. harmony of sounds especially of instruments. 2. harmony of any kind, especially of color. 3. anything, as a picture, characterized by harmonious composition…” The sound of gourd instruments, the natural colors and shapes of gourds and the composition of gourd art all blend seamlessly into the definition of symphony. The wonders of nature, of sound, and of composition come together in the gourd. Visit the Ohio Gourd Show and become immersed in earth’s symphony, a Symphony of Gourds.

Welcome to the 2011 Ohio Gourd Show. The show will be staged in the Coliseum (exhibits, vendors, Sunday Worship, etc.) and Youth Building (workshops and meals) on the Darke County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are located near the intersection of State Routes 121 and 49 in southwest Greenville, OH. The show is open to the public and the admission fee is $3.00 per person. Parking is free, and children under twelve are admitted free.
     Food, gourds, gourd art, gourd music and special programs are featured on the grounds. Panel discussions and presentations will provide information about growing and crafting gourds. An AGS Certified Judge Class is planned for Friday evening. Reservations are required. Gourd crafting opportunities (Make it – Take it projects ) will be available for children and adults without advance reservations. Gourd workshops (pre-registration required) are offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On-site registration for workshops will be accepted as space permits. The Coliseum is not open to the general public on Friday, but outdoor vendors may be open for business. There will be a Friday night buffet in the coliseum (pre-registration requested). The buffet is sponsored by the Ohio Gourd Society (OGS) and donations are appreciated.
     The Saturday dinner (pre-registration required) will include an auction of gourds, gourd art, and related supplies. A brief OGS meeting will follow.
     The Sunday morning breakfast (pre-registration required) will feature gourd hat contests for women, men, and children. Wear your best gourd hat! Everyone is welcome to participate in the hat contests without prior registration.

World Gourd Music (WGM)
     On Saturday, September 24th the 2011 Ohio Gourd Show will feature music between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm in the “Ohio Pavilion” at the Dark County Fair Grounds in Greenville, Ohio. Music for the Show is supported, in part, by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council (on the web at http://www.oac.state.ohus/). For further information Larry Sherman can be reached through his e-mail at shermalw@muohio.edu
     Four talented music groups will be performing this year. OGADE (The Oxford Gourd and Drum Ensemble) comes from Oxford, Ohio. Information about OGADE is available on the web at http://www.ogade.org This is the seventh time the group has performed at the Ohio Gourd Show. OGADE plays traditional West African rhythms as well as some original compositions. They use a variety of gourd instruments including guiros, shakeres, thumpers, flutes, xylophones, some string instruments and, of course, a variety of drums. The Circle of Rhiannon Tribal Drum & Dance Troupe (on the web at http://circleofrhiannon.com ) features American tribal style Belly Dancing. They are from the Hamilton & Fairfield, Ohio area and will be accompanied by OGADE. Our third group will be the Judy and Warren Waldren Duo. They hail from Butler County, Ohio and sing and play traditional American and Appalachian folk and minstrel music accompanied by Warren on a gourd banjo.
     On Sunday afternoon a small group known as the Tulisoma will again have a “jam session” between the hours of 2 pm and 4 pm. People who have gourd instruments are invited to bring them to this jam session and join Tulisoma in making great gourd music.

OGS proudly recognizes ans thanks our sponsors and supporters.

Friday, September 23
9:00 a.m. – Noon. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
Noon - Gourd entry tags available on the lower floor of the Coliseum.  Exhibitors may place displays and  entries during the afternoon and evening.  Building closes at 9:00 p.m.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
6 p.m. – Evening Buffet (donation at the door, but reservations are requested.)
7 p.m. – AGS Certified Judge Class -- application

Saturday, September 24
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Coliseum open to set up displays and entries.  Entry tags available until 11:00 a.m.
9 a.m. Show opens to the public.  .
9 a.m. – Noon –  Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
10 a.m. – Panel Discussion – Varieties of Gourds
11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Judging of competitive entries.(some areas may be closed or restricted during judging)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. World Gourd Music
2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion – Growing Gourds
5:00 p.m. Show closes.
5:00 p.m. --Meeting of the American Gourd Society -- Youth building -- workshop area
6:00 p.m. Gourd Dinner (pre-registration is required) and Gourd Art auction followed by a brief meeting of the Ohio Gourd Society.

Sunday, September 25
7:00 a.m. Gourd Breakfast (pre-registration is required).
8:30 a.m. Christian Worship on the lower floor of the Coliseum – everyone welcome.
9:00 a.m. Show opens to the public.
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Workshop classes (must be pre-registered).
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Gourd Music “Jam Session”
2:00 p.m. Panel Discussion – Gourd Art and Gourds in Art, Theater and Cinema
4:00 p.m. Show closes.  Please drive safely!

Links to more show details:

• workshop schedule and registration information
• vendor regulations
• Certified Judge information and application
• competitive entry information
• explanation of terms in competitive entry classes
• meal reservation information

Show Chair...........………………....................…………..……Bruce Barber, 740-965-4661
Publicity……………………………...........……..……….………….Lois Smith, 937-447-2845
Workshops.............................Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003 and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Entries and Judging ….…….............…………………Karen and John Martin, 937-446-2174
Staging...............................................................Charlotte and Tim Moss, 937-548-4081
Gourd Sales Area Inside……………..……...............................Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Gourd Sales Area Outside……………..……..........................Gordon Smith, 937-447-2845
Concessions……………………………….….…….………………Bruce Barber, 740-965-4661
Gourd Dinner………………………….………..….......Marilyn and Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Gourd Breakfast………………..….....Abe Martin, 937-446-3624, Terry Sipple, 937-548-5003
Music Program…………………………..................…..…….…Larry Sherman, 513-523-2458