MARKETING OPPORTUNITY
FOR YOUR SHOP!
LOCATION:
MNSFA is expecting a record year! This year the State Fair has remodeled the Ag/Hort Building and have heavely promoted MNSFA Exhibits and Competition.
EXPOSURE:
Over 30,000 people tour the Horticulture Building during the two days at MNSFA competition pieces are on display.
ACTION:
Once judging is complete, MNSFA will post signage, we also encourage you to place your business cards, brochures, and/or coupons in front of your design entry for the general public to take.
2015 MNSFA Designer of the Year
Two Part Competition
Compete at
The Minnesota State Fair
~The Great MN Get Together~
State Fair Horticulture Building~August 28th
First Place Winner ~ $1000
Second Place Winner ~ $500
Third Place Winner ~ $250
DAY 1 :
Wednesday -September 2nd
MN State Fair - Semi Finals
Top 6 (six) winners are eligible
for the second round “Surprise Package”
the NEXT DAY!
DAY 2:
Thursday - September 3rd
MN State Fair "The Dirt" FINALS
4 PM Competition
6 PM Awards
Each contestant's entry will consist of two designs.
One each from two of the following three categories.
I: Gala Party Centerpiece or
II: Buffet/Reception Table Designor
III: Hand Held Presentation
You are designing for one of the following Non Profit Organizations:
(Your choice must be listed on Ingredient Card)
These Charities are featuted in the routunda of the Ag/Hort Building.
- Make-a-Wish Foundation
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
- Feed My Starving Children
- EWI Reading Rally
- Metro Blooms
- Can-Do-Canines
- Operation Homefront
Important Information
- You must pre-register for competition on or before AUGUST 30, 2015. A non refundable early entry Fee of $25 per MNSFA member or $35 Non member must accompany each registration. Any entry made after August 30th, will pay the non-refundable entry fee of $35.00 per member or $70 per non-member. THIS INCLUDES YOUR STATE FAIR ADMISSION AND PARKING.
- New this year: Containers/props will NOT be returned or able to picked up.
- Check In is Wednesday August 27st between 6AM to 9AM in the State Fair Horticulture building.
- MNSFA staff and directors are NOT permitted to clarify any of the rules or assist a competitor in any way before or during the competition.
- Entries will be on display for 2 days—any arrangement that does not maintain its freshness will be removed and becomes the property of MNSFA. Please keep in mind the Horticulture Building is NOT air conditioned and generally gets very hot.
- The top 6 Finalists must be available for the Surprise Package Final Round the following day September 2nd at 3:00 PM. Each finalist must be present at the Grand Announcement in “The Dirt” at 6:00 PM
- All winners consent to any publicity and/or photographs by MNSFA which may be posted on the website).
- Get a FREE Ticket in the fair! MNSFA needs Volunteers. Contact Competition Chairperson: Kym Erickson Kym33ish@gmail.com
Rules for Competition
Wednesday September 2, 2015
1. $25 per person non refundable MNSFA member or $35 Non Member entrance fee. Payment and the registration form must be postmarked or made online on or before Monday, August 25h, 2014. Payments may also be made by credit card at www.mnsfa.org. Entry fee includes State Fair admission and parking for the day of the competition These tickets will be mailed to you—prior to competition.
Please Note: Any entry made after August 26th, will be charged a $50.00 member $70 Non member entry fee.
2. Each entry will consist of two designs chosen from the three design categories. The wholesale cost of the entry (both designs combined) must not exceed $100.00 (at least 50% being fresh product).
3. Design will convey theme and design scenario: “Florists helping communities thrive!” Each design must fit in the designated size constraints as follows: Gala = 30” L x 30”W. Reception = 30” L x 30”W. Presentation= 20” L x 20” W. There is no height restriction for any arrangement. All entries must conform to any requirements by category such as size, materials used, costs or props. The design must fit within the stated size limits. (Automatic Disqualification)
4. Props that do not touch the arrangement are NOT to be included in the total price of the arrangement—MNSFA will assume no responsibility for lost, broken or missing props/containers. CONTAINERS OR PROPS WILL NOT BE RETURNED
5.Containers, accessories/props must not dominate the floral arrangment and must be available on the wholesale/retail market. Antique and collectables are not allowed. Props will not be judged. CONTAINERS OR PROPS WILL NOT BE RETURNED OR ABLE TO BE PICKED UP AFTER THE EVENT!
6. Electrical items such as lights, fountains, etc. are not allowed. Electrical outlets are not available.
7. Entries will be limited to one entry per person. A number will be assigned to you at registration.
8. MNSFA will post the Name of Shop/Affiliation after judging is complete and results are posted. Business cards, brochures and coupons may be left in front of entry at this time. No prize drawings or verbal promotion will be allowed.
9. Each entry must have a Product list form. It is provided in the entry form. (must be completed in detail). It will be emailed to you if you register online.
10. Designs can be brought to the Horticulture Building on Sept 2nd by vehicle from 6am to 9am. After 9am designs must be walked on to the fairgrounds Your entry must be checked in by
9:15 AM! Judging will take place at 9:30AM; results will be posted at 4:00 PM.
11. All designs must be complete when you check in with MNSFA staff a the registration table in the Horticulture Building. You will receive a packet of information with your entry number. Place your entry in the corresponding section in the competition area. You may fine tune your design at this time. Place the ingredient card with prices on top with in the display space . Please clean up your area.
12. A panel of at least 5 qualified judges will evaluate each entry. Discarding the highest and lowest score of each design and then average of the remaining scores will determine the final scores of each design. The scores from each design will be combined. A combined score of 150 points or above will receive a Blue ribbon; combined score of 125—149 points or above will receive a Red ribbon and combined score of 100-124 or above will receive a White ribbon. A judge from a local wholesaler will serve as cost/product judge to verify prices and measure size. Scores will be mailed to you after the competition.
13. Six designs receiving the highest scores will be awarded purple ribbons and will be qualified for the final competition round at MNSFA Convention the following day in the Ag\Hort Building Rotunda at 4:00 PM. YOU MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE GRAND PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT SEPT 3RDTH IN “THE DIRT” AT 6:00 PM OR FORFEIT TO THE NEXT HIGHEST SCORE.
14. Your design must stay on display through Septemeber 3rd. The arrangement or props can not be picked up after the event. All arrangements or props will become the property of MNSFA and may be destroyed. Fair entrance fee is required.