Dazzling Dahlia Festival in full swing

Photos by Susan Renfro, Susan B Photography

Highlands Historical Society is taking us back in history with the 14th annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival happening this weekend.

Flower Power is exploding all over Highlands as we lean hard into the 60’s.

Things already kicked off in a big way at an “Elevated Woodstock” party hosted by Highlands Historical Society, Highlands Smokehouse & High Country Wine & Provisions. An outta sight time was had by all as a really groovy 60’s band had Woodstock wannabes getting down.

The 60’s outfits were far out as some people were truly unrecognizable. Nancy Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia and Cher made appearances.

There were wine & bourbon tastings for those “High on the Hog,” a raffle, delicious food from the Smokehouse, wine from Davis Family, cocktails called Mary Jane, LSD, & High on the Hog, and most exciting of all a live auction officially kicked off the Randolph P. Shaffner scholarship for a Highlands School student.

A French river wine cruise hosted by Guy Davis, a $13,000 value, sold for $15,000. Peter Worthy, a local rock hound, cut a stunning 3.10carat Peridot & Estate Jewelers of Highlands provided a gorgeous 14c. gold and diamond baguette ring to set it in that sold for $2600.

Proceeds from the evening are still being sorted, stay tuned for how much was raised towards the scholarship and HHS. Woodstock and the auction were far out; a lot of lost youth was remembered.

On Sept. 5, the Bascom hosted the Dahlia Poster Party where Marina Tsatch was given her $500 check for winning this year’s poster contest.

The Bascom hosted the single-bloom competition on Friday. Trained judges award ribbons in many categories, even a children’s category. There is an amateur and professional division, with a Best of Show from each division. Best of Show’s win $100.

The public may view and photograph the stunning blooms from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at The Bascom.

Today, town is the backdrop for Flower Power, with so many dahlia and native floral vignettes that you will need a map to find them all. The power of flowers will astound you as some dedicated talented people present their vision of Flower Power.

Maps will be provided at The Bascom, Highlands Visitor Center, and Highlands Historical Village, so grab one and lose yourself in the delightful journey of Flower Power. Do not forget to use the QR code provided to go online and vote for your favorites.

There will be People’s Choice and a panel of judges winners selected. Judges Best of Show will win $500. All the maps lead you to the historical village where there will be food, tours, storytelling and from 1-4 the Shedhouse Trio, a five piece bluegrass band, featuring Darren Nicholson. Get your clogging shoes, come to the village and enjoy great bluegrass & Highlands the way it used to be.

Flower Power will come to a dazzling conclusion with the high energy 10 piece band “Steel Toe Stiletto” playing the concert in KHFP from 6 – 9 p.m.

Thanks to the Dahliabolicals for sponsoring both Steel Toe Stiletto and The Shedhouse Trio. Vignette winners will be announced in the park at intermission, the drawing for the painting raffle will be held, and single bloom Best of Show will be recognized. For more info on all of the groovy events listed above, and to buy raffle tickets for Prince house, click HERE. All of these events go rain or shine, so get your rain gear if it is raining, we are like a Taylor Swift show, better in the rain.

We owe our very existence to Visit Highlands, Highlands Historical Society, the Dahliabolicals and every single one of you who share your flowers and talents with dazzling dahlia. All the flowers are donated, the work is all done for free, and the joy is shared by everyone who takes in the beauty.

Photos of “Elevated Woodstock” by Susan Renfro, Susan B Photography, learn more HERE.