This article describes the features of SmallShow, an application suitable for any event where exhibits are judged for cash prizes and cups and trophies are awarded, such as a flower show.
Flower Club exhibit at Wilmslow Show 2019
The application is flexible, based on experience gained from many shows over the past twenty years, including Wilmslow, Fossoway, Englefield and Wiveliscombe. Organisers can tailor the software to suit their show’s specific requirements rather than sticking to a rigid model.
SmallShow
In SmallShow, you can do the following:
Define classes in which entrants supply exhibits for judging;
Manage entries by individuals, groups, clubs, schools, etc, using simple eligibility criteria;
Generate labels to attach to exhibits for anonymous identification when judging takes place;
Produce a list of exhibits by class to facilitate the laying out of exhibits on tables and stands before judging starts;
Produce a judging slip for each class upon which the judge can record the winners of that class;
Record the decisions of the judges and allocate prizes;
Allow judges not to award prizes in categories in which exhibits do not meet the standards required;
Produce a list of winners;
Calculate and accumulate the prize money (or points) for each winner;
Award cups and trophies in groups of classes and other categories;
Produce summaries for release to the public and press;
Generate address labels to send promotional materials to all entrants before next year’s show long before the scheduled date.
Hundreds of shows and fêtes take place in Britain during the summer each year. Many were established in late Victorian and Edwardian times and have a long history.
The shows have much in common despite their different heritage.
Flower Club exhibit at Wilmslow Show 2019
Our focus will be on the usual case, idealised to simplify matters. Differences between this and your show will become apparent.
Most shows are small-scale affairs operated by horticultural societies and clubs to raise relatively small sums of money to carry out their activities.
Smaller shows lack the resources of their annual county and town counterparts, many of which have access to dedicated showgrounds.
Vegetable exhibits at Wilmslow Show 2019 in a showground marquee
Instead, they are held in marquees or church and village halls. Handicrafts and amateur photographs are displayed alongside flowers and vegetables grown locally in gardens and allotments.
Exhibits
Typically, exhibits include cultivated flowers like roses, seasonal soft fruits such as raspberries and blackcurrants, homemade jams and preserves, and needlework and knitwear.
Exhibits are classified by type and divided into sections or divisions for ease of administration. For example, a flower section might contain separate classes for roses, begonias, chrysanthemums, and gladioli.
Entries are competitive, with judges awarding points, rosettes and small cash prizes. While most classes are open to the general public, some are restricted to members of the society or club.
Prizes
Some shows award cups, trophies, and inscribed plates to winners of individual classes or groups to mark a year’s achievement. Winners must return the cups before the anniversary of the show they were awarded.
Often, the cups have been provided by former members of the society or club, by other benefactors, or endowed by a deceased member as a memorial.
Cups and trophies
Cups and trophies are awarded based on the following:
the best entry in the opinion of the judges;
the number and types of prizes awarded;
the total amount of prize money.
For affiliates of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Banksian Medal can be awarded to the person who has obtained the highest prize in the show for horticultural classes.
Pride and passion
Although some shows may be small, passions can run high when judgements are made about some exhibits with honour, prestige and pride at stake. Nurturing horticultural displays to show standards requires considerable effort and skill.
Run by volunteers
Nationally, most shows are run by a small army of volunteers who give up their time to make them successful.
If all this sounds familiar, you will know that running a show smoothly and efficiently presents numerous formidable challenges, including staging exhibits for judging and awarding cups and trophies alongside cash prizes.
That is why the SmallShow application can help you manage your show. Follow the link below to contact us.
Here is the contact form to enable you to ask questions. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.
