2025 National Show Chicago

MIDahlias

This year's national show is being hosted by Central States Dahlia Society.

Head to their website if you want to receive show updates.

I requested if they could start updating the website with the challenge sections they know as of now. The webmaster said she would.

Here is what (believe) to know so far. Please don't be upset if I get any of this wrong.

Carl
Kelvin Floodlight
Carmella Staas
Jody Meggos
10 bloom
7 bloom
5 bloom B size all different cultivars
New Intro
Best Midwest origination Bloom
Best Midwest 3 bloom origination
Best Canadian intro
Junior Section (16 & Under)
Also, challenge class blooms will be judged by class first and then moved to the challenge table to be judged again. (Again, I'm not sure on the accuracy of this. I think I understood it)
An amazing photography section.
Photos will need to be matted. Apparently they have a gallery to display photos.

Note to those on the West Coast, the Midwest stage at the venue. They use green show vases and they are provided. I suppose if you have your own approved vessels, you can stage ahead of time.

If anyone wants to sponsor a bloom for the show, please contact CSDS president asap.

Follow the link below to sign up for accurate information as it becomes available.

https://www.centralstatesdahliasociety.com/2025

MissyWeitzel

MIDahlias Thanks! I was looking for more info last week. I'm excited to go to my first national show this fall.

Juliarugula

MissyWeitzel I'm excited to go to my first national show this fall.

Me too!

MIDahlias

MissyWeitzel I'm very excited too. I need to call the hotel to see if they have microwaves and refrigerators in the rooms. The hotel doesn't have continental breakfast. So, I need to plan a few meals.

MissyWeitzel

MIDahlias I live in the boonies and can't order delivery services like GrubHub or UberEats so I take advantage when out of town. As much as I love show weekends, I'm an introvert and all the socializing really drains me. I don't share a room with friends because I need that alone time in my hotel room to recharge. Usually the drivers will deliver right to my hotel room and it works great for me for breakfast. I'm sure Chicago will have loads of options!

NCDahlia

I never liked kevin floodlight dahlia lol

Teddahlia

Kelvin Floodlight used to be the top selling dahlia in the world every year and it still might be. The Dutch find that it sells very well and grow lots of it. I believe they sell 500,000- of them per year (probably, somewhat inaccurate info taken from memory) . People do not generally know that it is an Australian variety and is not very good tuber maker. The Dutch do not like to sell good tuber makers as they weigh too much to ship. In all the 30 years plus that I have gone to dahlia shows, I have never seen it at a show. That does not mean it is not shown and I understand it has been show here and there. For me it was always there not here.