The Theme for this year's competition is DESERT DELIGHTS, with each class being the title of a book on the Mojave Desert by a local author. The idea was suggested by the Hatch family during last year's show. This appealed to the committee and we ran with it.

This year the committee have included a category which we do not believe has ever been tried before. Under the title "A Peculiar Piece of Desert", this category is for the display of only one single piece of dried vegetation. Find a weird shaped weed and display it without an accessory. A base will be provided by the committee. The winners of this category of weird weeds will be chosen by the Weed Show committee not the judges. It should be fun.

The committee would like to see many more entries, so for those of you who want a head start contemplating your entries, the categories and rules follow. We want you to encourage others too. Its surprising how many local residents have never see a Weed Show despite its being advertised in the local media. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so members, please spread the word about this traditional competition unique to Twentynine Palms.

WEED SHOW 2008

1. COLORFUL ILLUSION by L.L. Pickering

Purple Glass (a) Arrangement using Museum Quality glass as accessory

(b) Composition using Broken Purple Glass

2. ART GEMS-29 Palms Artist's Workshop

Miniatures (a) 3"x3"x3" overall composition.

(b) 6"x6"x6" overall composition.

3. SAND IN MY SHOE by Helen Bagley

Composition with sand and an item(s) that contained water as an accessory.

4. A PIECE OF BAILING WIRE

Composition with rusty item(s) as accessory

5. HI DESERT DREAMING by Joan Wilson

Composition with mining accessory

6. THE EARTH IS OUR MOTHER

Composition with accessory of Indian life

7. FIVE ACRES OF HEAVEN by Ed Ainsworth

Composition larger than 20"x16"x30"

No specific accessory but with the focus on the weeds.

8. DESERT WAS HOME by Elizabeth Campbell

Composition containing any found object, for children ages 4-12 ONLY.

9. A PECULIAR PIECE OF DESERT by L. Rassmussen O'Neal

Wierd Weeds-one (1) weed skeleton only. Not a composition, no accessory and no bigger than a bread box.

HOW TO ENTER THE 2008 WEED SHOW

The rules are really quite simple, but if you have any questions please contact a committee member whose telephone number is listed below.

1. You may enter as many categories as you wish but submit ONE entry per category.

2. Class 1 (a) is an ARRANGEMENT which uses ONLY fresh plant material, not necessarily native plants.

3. All classes are COMPOSITIONS which may include fresh desert plant material together with a dried plant in its natural state, that is, not varnished or painted. A composition can also use dried plants exclusively. All compositions MUST include dried plants. It is a Weed Show after all.

4. Each entry must have an accessory to fit the category, i.e. mining item, purple glass, etc.

5. Only natural adhesives may be used to hold the entry together, i.e. clay, sand, sap, etc. (that means no hot glue, oasis foam, concrete, etc.)

6. No artificial plants are allowed.

7. The base used for your entry must be solid enough to permit handling by a committee member. Only a committee member will be allowed to reposition a display. Construction paper or mat board may be used to compliment your entry.

8. Due to limited space in the museum, the maximum size for indoor entries is 20"x16"x30. Larger entries will automatically be staged outside and will be unattended. Each outside entry must be strong enough to withstand wind and weather.

9. Class 8 is ONLY for children under 12 years of age. A youngster may enter any other class and will be judged with the adults.

10. Entries must be brought to the museum between the hours of 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31 or Saturday, November 1 from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Judging is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The Weed Show is open to the public from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 and 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2.

Entries must be picked up between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 2.

The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is not responsible for loss, damage or unclaimed entries.