NCF Designer of the Year

Overall Theme: Garden Party Glam   

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This year’s theme, Garden Party Glam, invites designers to craft enchanting, garden-style designs. Participants are judged on creativity, technique, and originality, as they demonstrate the beauty of nature through flowers. 

 

Designs will be evaluated separately, and they can have different interpretations of the theme. 

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Arrangement 1. Designer’s choice: Create a design that showcases your artistic vision of the theme.  

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Arrangement 2. Floral Couture Hat: Create a wearable hat design that blends floristry and fashion.  

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(A pre-made hat can be used and decorated with florals.) See the evaluation sheet below for criteria. 

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The top 10 awards will be given in each category: a $50.00 prize and trophy.  To qualify for the top 6 live design-off, you must participate in both categories. Scores of both designs will be combined to determine six finalists. Live Iron Chef-style design-off finals on the Dirt Stage in the Horticulture Building at 6 pm. Winner announced at 7:30 pm. 

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1. $35  per entry, non-refundable entry fee. Payment and the registration form must be done online on or before Sunday, August 16th, 2026.  The entry fee includes State Fair admission.  (The parking passes have been eliminated from the fair board; you will receive a hang tag for your mirror for entry to the fairgrounds on the morning of drop-off before 7:30 am.) The entry ticket will be mailed to you. Registrations after the 16th need to arrange to pick up tickets; they will not be mailed due to delays in the USPS system. A ticket is necessary to drop off arrangements. 

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2. Each entry will consist of two designs: The wholesale cost of each entry must not exceed $120.00 wholesale (at least 60% being fresh product). The entry must include a product list with costs completed in detail for each design.  Every product used needs a fair market value assigned. The hat would be considered a container, and the cost must be listed. Hats can be displayed on a vase, other vessel, or mannequin head; do not include in cost. Additional props added to designs must be listed in the cost of the base design and would be considered hardgoods.  

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3. Designs must convey each theme. Each design must fit in the designated size 30” deep x 30” W. There is no height restriction for any arrangement. Entries will be limited to one set per person. Designs will be split into different areas for display & they do not need to coordinate. Electrical outlets are not available. Flowers need to remain fresh for the two days of the display. Wilted flowers will be a mechanical deduction.  

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Please use finishing sprays on your hats to help preserve the florals. But the hat must be able to be picked up by judges if they want to check the balance or mechanics.  

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4. Requirement: A 4 x6” card MUST be placed with each design to explain your design interpretation and how it relates to the theme. This engages the attendees so much they love descriptions on the cards. ** They are not evaluated as a set. The evaluator also reads the card to help determine your interpretation of the theme. Do not include any business identification on this card, or it will be disqualified. 

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5. Designs can be brought to the Horticulture Building from 6:00 am to 7:30 AM. The entry must be checked in by 7:45 AM. The room will be cleared at 8:00. Anyone arriving after 8:00 will be disqualified. Plan accordingly. Traffic and parking will be backed up. Judging will take place from 8:15 –11 am. Room will open for viewing as soon as judging is finished. Results will be posted, and finalists will be notified by 2:00 pm. 

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6. All designs must be complete when you check in with NCF staff at the registration table in the Horticulture Building. You will receive information and draw your entry numbers. You may only fine-tune your design at this time. Place the item number and complete product list within the assigned display space. Please clean up your area. Storage boxes may be placed under skirted tables. You must sign a release instruction sheet for pickup or disposal of your arrangement. 

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7. A panel of at least 5 qualified judges will evaluate each design. Your score is determined by discarding the highest and lowest scores for each design, and then averaging the three remaining scores to determine the final value for each design.  A judge from a local wholesaler will serve as the cost/product judge to verify the listed costs and measure size. Judging sheets will be available for pick-up after 4:00 pm at the registration desk of the display room. 

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8. After judging is complete, business cards or brochures may be left by your entries for public promotion of your business. No prize drawings or coupons will be allowed. If you want volunteers to place information by designs, bring them in a zip-lock baggie to the check-in desk so they can be labeled correctly and stored for restock. Your contestant number is the same on both sides of the display room.  

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9. The top six combined scores will be the finalists, awarded a minimum of $100 and are qualified for the live surprise package design-off competition at 6:00 pm. Finalists need to be present at 5 pm & meet at “The Peg Restaurant” on the side of the horticulture building. The winner will be announced on the Dirt stage at 7:30 pm. Family and friends are invited to be able to view the competition; no coaching is allowed.  

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10. Your arrangements must be on display through 9:00 pm on Thursday, September 3rd.  Designs can be picked up between 9 and 9:15 pm. At 9:15, the remaining floral designs will be discarded.  We must clear the room by 9:30 pm. NCF is not responsible for returning designs or containers. Free fair entry is allowed after 9pm for pick-up with the window hang tag provided.