Weed Show

The Twentynine Palms Historical Society
(a nonprofit organization)
Presents
THE 84th ANNUAL WEED SHOW
ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE WEED SHOW
Sat, Nov. 2, 2024, noon to 4p.m.
Sun, Nov. 3, 2024, 10am to 4p.m.

RULES FOR ENTERING THE 2024 WEED SHOW:

  1. You may have only ONE entry per category.
  2. Perfect Purple Glass: means it is flawless translucent glass which has been turned purple by the sun.
  3. Category 1 is an arrangement with fresh plant material only, not necessarily native, using perfect translucent sun-purple glass.
  4. Categories 2-13 are compositions which may include fresh desert plant material along with dried desert plant material in it’s natural state, no paint or varnish allowed.
  5. Each entry MUST have an accessory to fit the category as indicated where the accessory is assigned.
  6. *PLEASE READ* The maximum size for entries (all categories except 3,4 & 13) is 16” x 16” and no more than 24” tall with a maximum weight limit of 10 lbs. Larger and heavier entries will automatically be placed in Category 13 outside.
  7. No parts or anything produced from or by an animal living or dead are allowed, such as skins, feathers, droppings, bones or eggs, with the exception of leather.

  1. Minimal use of adhesive is allowed. Part of the judging will be on the discreet use of all adhesives.
  2. Due to not knowing how many entries may come in, your entry must be stable enough to be moved. A solid base is highly recommended and construction paper or mat board may be used to complement your entry.
  3. Entries must be brought to Founder’s Hall Thursday, October 31 from 4-6p.m., Friday, November 1 from 4-7p.m. or Saturday, November 2 from 7-9a.m.. NO late entries will be accepted. All entries must be assembled and in place by 9:15 a.m.. NO EXCEPTIONS. Judging is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
  4. The Weed Show is open to the public Saturday November 2 from noon-4p.m. and on Sunday November 3 from 10a.m.-4p.m..
  5. Entries MUST be picked up Sunday, November 3rd from 4:15 to 5p.m.. NO EARLY PICKUPS WILL BE ALLOWED! If you have someone else picking up your entries, make sure the Weed Show committee is notified.

Contact Person: Melodie Allen, 2024 Weed Show Chairman, 760-819-2750

2024 Weed Show Categories

Category 1 – “Hatch Road”– Perfect Purple Glass – Arrangement using perfect translucent purple glass (see rules) as an accessory. FRESH PLANT MATERIAL ONLY.

Category 2 – “Baseline Road”– Broken Purple Glass – Composition using broken
translucent purple glass (broken or imperfect) as an accessory.

Category 3 – “Star Dune”– Miniature 3”x3”x3” overall composition.

Category 4 – “Amboy Road”– Miniature 6”x6”x6” overall composition.

Category 5 – “Two Mile Road”– Composition using any item of measurement as
an accessory.

Category 6 – “Indian Trail”– Composition using any Native American item as an
accessory.

Category 7 – “Condor Road”– Composition using any item related to the military
as an accessory

Category 8 – “Larrea Avenue”- Composition using any item with angles as an
accessory

Category 9 – “Utah Trail”– Composition using any item related to the Joshua Tree National Park as an accessory.

Category 10 – “Mesquite Springs Road”– Composition using any item related to 29 Palms High School / Wildcat green as an accessory.

Category 11 – “Adobe Road”– This is an ANYTHING goes composition. Use any accessory you like. Size and weight rules apply.

Category 12 – “Highway 62”– Oversized composition to be staged outside. These entries which exceed the length, width, height, or weight limitations set out in the rules are placed outside for the duration of the Weed Show.

Category 13 – “Luckie Avenue”– This is for children 12 and younger. Composition using anything as an accessory.

THE WEED SHOW IS FREE TO ENTER AND FREE TO ATTEND!
See past entries at: www.29palmshistorical.com

Weed Show Workshop
There will be a free hands-on workshop for adults and children to learn how
to create and practice making eye-catching Weed Show arrangements. Award
winning Weed Show veterans have teamed up for the workshop Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse Museum. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

*The Weed Show and the Weed Show Workshop are two separate events.

What Is Purple Glass?

From the late 1800s to World War I, manganese was used in the manufacture of
glass. When exposed to the sun, this glass turns purple. It is called sun purple and
is considered prized in the Southwest.

What Is The Weed Show?

The Weed Show is one of Twentynine Palms’ oldest and most unique artistic traditions. This annual display, now in its eighth decade, features artistic arrangements of indigenous desert vegetation as well as found objects, both natural and man-made. A desert rendition of the traditional concept of floral display, the Weed Show highlights the beauty of the local flora and the inventiveness of participants, and the history and culture of Twentynine Palms itself. Each show follows a specific theme. Entries are judged on subject matter, use of desert vegetation, use of accessories, artistic composition and originality. Ribbons are awarded in 13 categories, each Judge awards a certificate to their favorite entry, and the highly coveted People’s Choice Award is decided by visitors who vote during the show.

The show’s roots go back to July 1940, when the Women’s Club of Twentynine Palms invited Pasadena print maker Mildred Bryant Brooks to deliver a lecture on “The Art of Etching”.

Legend has it that the local ladies, ever mindful of etiquette, were deeply embarrassed by the lack of fresh flowers with which to decorate the podium and honor their esteemed guest. When they expressed their apologies to Brooks, she is reputed to have said, “Why do you need fresh flowers when you have so many beautiful weeds?” Inspired by her
words, two members were dispatched to gather sun-dried desert flora from the grounds of the 29 Palms Inn, which they brought back for Brooks to arrange.

The Weed Show made its official debut the following year in 1941. Initially held in private homes, its popularity soon grew to the point where it became a bonafide community event. After the Women’s Club disbanded in 1976, show sponsorship passed to the 29 Palms Gardening Club. When the Gardening Club disbanded, the Twentynine Palms Historical Society revived the show and it has been going strong ever since.

What Is A Weed? (A definition by Pat Rimmington)
The dictionary defines a weed as a plant that grows wild and a plant not valued for use or beauty. It is true that the flora used by the competitors in this years-old Twentynine Palms show are the native plants that grow wild on the Mojave Desert. However, these plants were essential to the existence of the Native American tribes who inhabited this desert region. Nature provided the food and medicine, as well
as the materials used for basket weaving, hunting equipment and for building shelters. The displays in the Weed Show aim to bring out the often overlooked, hidden beauty of the local vegetation in a whole new light.