Due to closures of traditional UK Cooperative Extension programs from the Covid-19 Pandemic, the standard flower show of the county fair was canceled. The idea from McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service County Manager prompted creation of a virtual flower show. All participants were able to do this while safer at home.  

McCracken Horticulture Agent and advisor to McCracken County Extension Master Gardeners (MCEMG) asked for their input on the idea. MCEMG created a committee to develop the event. This was a first-ever program which came with a large learning curve. 

A complete description in a document for the Virtual Flower Show (VFS) was created by the VFS show chair who is also past president of MCEMG and also experienced floral designer.

This document was placed on the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service website https://mccracken.ca.uky.edu/content/virtual-flower-show-2020 for participants to read, follow and enter while safer at home. 

Advertising for the VFS traveled by emails to the eligible 10 county extension service offices and on social media to 3750 viewers. VFS information was emailed to 12 local garden clubs and included in the local electronic-horticulture newsletter of 220 recipients. 

Number of people who exhibited 9 adults and 3 youth.

Taken from the website are these words used by permission from the VFS show chair and former president of MCEMG: 

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL FLOWER SHOW? by Carol Ullerich

 “MCEMG have sponsored a standard flower show as part of the McCracken County Fair for decades. To continue the tradition, MCEMG created “Covid-19, Finding Beauty in a Pandemic,” a virtual flower show featuring catchphrases associated with the pandemic.  Participation in the show was open to residents of the ten westernmost counties of Kentucky.

Digital-only entries were accepted July 1-25, 2020 by the MCEMG and the Horticulture Agent through email.  Designers created exhibits and submitted digital photos following the program guidelines as an all-virtual show.

On August 1, 2020, a panel of three National Garden Club, Inc.-accredited-flower-show judges, via ZOOM®, evaluated 33 entries spread over 7 adult classes and 1 youth competition.  

We thank all exhibitors for participating in this unique show.  Congratulations to all.”  

            Prizes for each entry were both a certificate and a cloth ribbon printed with Virtual Flower Show 2020 information. (Traditional colors were used: blue for first place, etc.) Ribbons and printed certificates were sent through the US Postal Service and also electronically. No monies were awarded.

            The Show Chair also created a Power Point® presentation to allow all viewers who visit the McCracken Extension Service website to see the striking photographs of the designs and also read the judges’ comments.  This is now a learning opportunity. 

            Especially important was to protect the personal information of the participants. This flower show carried on the tradition of the annual McCracken County Standard Flower Show that has been in place since the year 2000. 

Hours contributed by MCEMG volunteers totaled 337 hours for this event.

Comments by the participants and the MCEMG are: 

• …how happy and pleased I am that we did tackle this challenge and for it to culminate in such a BEAUTIFUL VIRTUAL SHOW…COLOR ME A HAPPY, PROUD, & PLEASED-MASTER GARDENER.  (Brenda Johnson, President MCEMG) 
• Next year we’ll have a really big show! I just know it!  (Jane Junkerman)
• I feel that others will enjoy it as much as I have, and perhaps the stimulation will motivate more interest in the future. (Betty Thompson) 
• An Entry for the 2020 Virtual Flower Show: Finding Beauty in a Pandemic