03/08/2026
🌸 We Did It Again! 🌸
Celebrating the 78th Annual Fayetteville Camellia Show
What an incredible weekend! The Fayetteville Camellia Club has once again hosted a truly unforgettable Camellia Show at the beautiful Cape Fear Botanical Garden. It was an honor to welcome our community to an event filled with beauty, learning, fellowship, and of course—nearly 600 stunning camellia blooms, each one admired and enjoyed by all who attended.
From the hundreds of breathtaking student art displays to the many tea-tasting ceremonies that delighted guests throughout the day, the energy and excitement were undeniable. Our plant raffles and plant sales were a hit as always, and we are grateful for the enthusiasm every guest brought to the event.
A heartfelt thank you to Chuck for his outstanding air-layering demonstration. It was also my great pleasure and honor to host the grafting demonstrations—sharing what we love about these remarkable plants is always a joy.
As the current president of the Fayetteville Camellia Club, I am deeply humbled by the dedication, passion, and expertise within this club. My sincere gratitude goes to Cathy and Ross for their tremendous work preparing the venue, and to every single volunteer whose efforts made this show such a success. Your commitment is inspiring. A very special thank you both, to Micki as she takes over from the awesome and talented Judy that ensured all was taken care of and ready to go at first light. They both took hold of the reins and never let go ensuring the show's success. I am so excited to see where they will take us next year.
A very special thank you to my wonderful wife, Sonya, and our daughter, Emily, who took on the demanding responsibility of preparing a delicious lunch for the judges. They did an outstanding job, and I hope someone will step forward to take on that task next year.
Our appreciation also goes to Judy, who graciously hosted the Judges Party. Thank you to everyone who brought food, assisted with setup, and to the bartender who kept spirits high—it was a warm and memorable evening.
Most of all, thank you to the many members who made sure every visitor felt welcomed, respected, and appreciated. The kindness, knowledge, and hospitality shown throughout the event truly represent the spirit of our club.
🌿 Upcoming Events
We’re not slowing down! Our next gathering will be on March 28th at my home, open to all members and their guest who wish to tour the garden before we head out for our annual Big Bloomers Buying Trip. I will mail you all the RSVP for the event so that we can leave your names at the front gate for entry passes.
Schedule:
Meet at my house — 11:00 AM
Lunch at Smithfield BBQ — 12:00 PM
Then off to Big Bloomers: shop ’til we drop!
It’s guaranteed to be a fun day of plants, friends, and good memories.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the success of our 78th Annual Camellia Show. I look forward to many more gatherings where we celebrate the flower we love—and the love we share for one another.
Now as for me and my blooms. Yes they allowed me to enter blooms and here were the ones I took for all to enjoy.
