Just before the Democrats convene in August for their National Convention in Denver, gardeners in Jefferson County will participate in the "Gardener's Convention." Designed to select the best of their gardening efforts as well as compare their results in friendly competition, the 2008 Harvest Show-sponsored by Colorado State University Master Gardeners of Jefferson County-- will award ribbons and is open to all county residents. For the fourth year, Echter's Garden Center at 5150 Garrison Street in Arvada will host the show from August 22nd to August 24th.

The popular "People's Choice" is back again this year. It allows participants and the viewing public the opportunity to vote for their favorite display entries. Participants in the "People's Choice" program will be eligible for a prize donated by Echter's Garden Center to be given out through a drawing at the end of the weekend.

"Gardener's Convention" is the theme of the 2008 Harvest Show. It features eleven traditional horticultural divisions of competition and display. In addition there will be a division for the display of garden photographs. Classes in the photography division have been redefined to include artistic photography, technical photography and all other photography that does not fit the first two classes. Photographers should keep the show in mind also throughout the summer as they look for photographic opportunities for display.

A whimsical division for the display of homemade scarecrows is another classification for creative works. Additionally, exhibitors are asked to interpret the show's theme by creating artistic arrangements of floral and plant material in ten classes of the Artistic Design division.

The Harvest Show is held to provide a friendly venue for display of horticultural material grown by Jefferson County gardeners and to provide educational material and tips useful to gardeners. A number of educational displays and exhibits will be on display, including the Jefferson County Plant Clinic, the Colorado Native Plant Society, the Iris Society, the Denver Orchid Society, the Native Plant Society, the Ikebana Society, and the Tropical Plant Society.

"The show is a great opportunity for gardeners to display the results of their gardening efforts and learn helpful information and gardening tips from other gardeners in the area," said Ceci Droll, long-time Jeffco resident.

Show booklets are currently available in the Extension office at 15200 W. 6 th Ave. Unit C, Golden 80401. Look for posters highlighting the event around town.

Registration for the Harvest Show will begin at Echter's Garden Center on Friday afternoon, August 22nd from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. and will continue on Saturday morning, August 23rd from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. All entrants are encouraged to take advantage of the early check-in Friday afternoon if possible to avoid the Saturday morning rush. After judging at 10:30 a.m. all entries will be left on display during Echter's normal business hours on Saturday and Sunday. Entries will be available for pickup on Sunday afternoon between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. Any entries remaining after 4:00 p.m. will be removed.

Additional information on the 2008 Harvest Show, show booklet, posters, entry tags and volunteer opportunities can be had by calling the Extension Office at 303-271-6620. The show booklet will also be available as a PDF document on the web at www.jeffcoextension.org.