Historic Sheffield Town Hall is filled with colour and fragrance on the first weekend of February.
Each year Kentish Garden Club stages a summer flower show, Sheffield FlowerFEST, to showcase blooms and produce from gardens in the Kentish area in Tasmania’s northwest.
Held in historic Sheffield Town Hall, the display’s success relies on the support of local gardeners whose entries create the show. For 2024 KGC President, Jennifer Stackhouse, says the Club is hoping FlowerFEST not only brings joy to the local community but attracts visitors from further afield to support the Sheffield region. After admiring the flowers, visitors are encouraged to explore the town (known for its murals) and visit local businesses. Dahlias, roses and lilium will be in abundance for this year’s show.
The recent rains and warm weather are bringing summer plants into peak bloom. The show also has special display categories for roses, summer bulbs (such as gladiolus), hydrangeas and begonias, which are all in peak flower now. As well as flowers, there will be fruit and vegetables on show including the strangest vegie (we’ve all seen those rude carrots and E oddly shaped tomatoes!) or put together a basket of vegies to show off your vegie-growing prowess.
In the floral art section, there’s a special class for flower arrangements inspired by The Olympics to recognise 2024 as an Olympic year. “It’s a new class and we hope to inspire some interesting flower combinations,” says Jennifer. There are awards, ribbons and prizes awarded including the coveted Grand Champion for best bloom in the show. This award comes with a $100 cash prize. For those who love to shop there are secondhand garden books, plants propagated from local gardens, garden metalwork and stalls with homemade jams and pickles, honey from local hives and olive oils from a local grower.
This year FlowerFEST is welcoming Wychwood Garden and Nursery from Mole Creek with a selection of rare and unusual plants. “It is easy to be part of the show as an exhibitor and this year we want to see lots of first-time exhibitors of all ages to come along and be part of a truly old-style flower show,” says Jennifer. “All that’s needed is to bring along your best blooms, fruit or vegetables, pots and floral arrangements on Friday, February 2 (3pm-6pm) or Saturday, February 3 (7.30am-8.30am).”
Garden club members are on hand to help stage exhibits.
Find more on the Kentish Garden Club website where you can download the show program to discover the categories to enter.

Details Open Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 10am-3pm
Entry $4 (children under 16 free)
Where? Sheffield Town Hall, High Street, Sheffield
Entry details www.kentishgardenclub.com.au
Call Jennifer Stackhouse (President, Kentish Garden Club and garden personality) on 0488 047 011 to talk all things Sheffield FlowerFEST.