Oaks Park again hosts regional Dahlia show

Take a look at all these amazing blooms, many grown in outer East Portland …

Judges spread out to inspect and award the multitude of dahlias on display at the 90th annual “North Willamette Region Dahlia Show” at Oaks Amusement Park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

After holding their annual in various locations over the last 90 years, the “Portland Dahlia Society Show” returned to historic, nonprofit Oaks Amusement Park on Saturday, August 25.

The Dance Pavilion was filled with some 2,000 blooms, brought by forty exhibitors to be judged, admired by the public, and offered for sale to support the organization.

Vancouver, Washington, grower Eric Toedtli shows his award-winning “Giant AA” triple dahlia.

In spite of our hot dry summer, a bumper crop of dahlias were on display at this unique flower show and competition.

“Considering the wicked, hot summer – some were calling it ‘dahlia hell’, because of the heat and the dry, smoky weather – we’ve still filled the room with amazing-looking flowers here today!” beamed Portland Dahlia Society President Larry Smith.

Known officially as the “North Willamette Region Dahlia Show”, exhibitors came from as far as Gold Beach, on the far southern Oregon coast, and Puget Sound to the north.

Dahlia fanciers came to Oaks Park to see new varieties – some of them grown by Allen Manuel, shown holding his “Allen’s Brush Fire” dahlia.

Some people came just to see the splendidly colored, unique flowers of the plants; serious growers examined new varieties brought in show off.

Even after a “brutal” summer for these flowers, both the society members and those viewing them enjoyed the unique blooms and arrangements at this big regional show in Sellwood.

Learn more about the Portland Dahlia Society at their official website: CLICK HERE.

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