Volunteers Maintaining the Largest Public Dahlia Display Garden on the East Coast | Based at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, NY

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2025 LIDS Dahlia Show and Competition

Dahlias through the Camera’s Lens

  • AUGUST 30, 2025 – 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • AUGUST 31, 2025 – 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Held at The Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Great River, NY - UPPER CARRIAGE HOUSE

Download the 2025 Show Guide

Registration

Thursday, August 28: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday, August 29: 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Upper Carriage House - Use Service Gate just east of Main Gate after 5

Welcome to our 80th annual Dahlia Show and Competition. If this is your first show, expect to see dahlia blooms that dazzle and surprise. All the flowers you will see on the show tables are different forms and colors of dahlias, from the very small to the large dinner plate size. The top winning dahlias are in the “Court of Honor”, these are the dahlias the judges determined are the best in this competition. Growers come from all over the East Coast to compete for the top prize of “King of Show.”

The Court of Honor is located under the large Long Island display and includes single dahlias and basket arrangements.

Thank you to all the growers who brought their dahlias to our show. We appreciate all the hard work and expertise it took to compete. A show such as ours comes together by the efforts of our dedicated members, who join together and devote their valuable time and hard work to make it all happen.

LIDS wants to sincerely thank everyone who helped with the show. Your work and dedication bring great joy to others, some who have never seen such a display of dahlias before.

Rules for Dahlia Show Entries

  • The latest classification list of the American Dahlia Society is to be used, with exhibits entered accordingly, non-classified entries to be entered as they appear.
  • Show is open to all exhibitors. No entry fee to be charged, Exhibitors must sign the register book. All entries must be in place by 11:00AM.
  • Suitable containers will be supplied for all classes, with the exception of baskets.
  • There will be no restrictions as to the number of blooms entered from one garden in any class, except for the Show Flower.
  • In 2025 the Challenge Flower is “Spartacus”. There is a limit of one (1) entry per person.
  • Entries must be correctly labeled with cultivar name.
  • The Exhibitor’s name must be concealed. All entries will remain sealed until Tricolor and further awards are chosen. Failure to observe this rule will disqualify the entry.
  • All entries must be grown by the exhibitor.
  • Flowers other than dahlias are not permitted. All materials used to support stems must be removed before judging, or the entry will be disqualified. One set of leaves are required on all entries.
  • All judges and clerks will be called in at 10:45AM to set up judging teams. Judging will begin promptly at 11:00AM.
  • Only judges, clerks, and committee people are permitted on the floor during judging.
  • First, second and third awards will be made in each class (except seedlings). No award will be made in any class if the entry is unworthy. Tricolors are awarded as noted in the schedule.
  • The decision of the judges will be final. No appeals will be considered except in cases where the entry is in the wrong class. In this case the show committee may consider the appeal and act as they see fit.
  • LIDS shall not be held responsible for loss or damage to exhibits or personal property but will exercise the utmost care to protect exhibits. Baskets should be labeled with the Exhibitor’s name and address for proper return.
  • The show committee reserves the right to make additional rules, classes or to change the schedule as it becomes necessary, or to remove from the tables before or after judging any exhibit considered in poor condition.
  • All entries except Exhibitor’s baskets become the property of the Show Committee to be disposed of at their own discretion at the close of the show.
  • Dahlia foliage is preferred in baskets. Other foliage is permitted in baskets but should not overpower the dahlias.
  • All baskets must have the same color and form except the multi-bloom basket. All baskets must have handles and be no more than 24” overall.

Judges may not participate in decisions involving their own interests or entries. In the event a substitute judge is required, that judge must sign the appropriate clerk sheet.