Smiles can be seen all around the 2024 N.C. State Fair, bringing this year’s “Homegrown Happiness” theme to life. Some of the biggest smiles come from the many competition winners, who, amusingly enough, don’t find out they secured a blue ribbon until they visit their entry at the fair.
“Shocked” is an understatement for Greensboro’s Julia Hagler, a first-time N.C. State Fair competition entrant who walked away with her first-ever blue ribbon in the “Luv Ya!” fresh floral design category.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she also earned a second-place title for another self-made flower arrangement in the “Clear Blue Yonder” category. Hagler entered a total of five competitions.
“I haven’t been to the State Fair since I was very young,” said Hagler. “One of my coworkers told me it would be a good idea to enter some floral competitions, and I also thought it’d be fun, but I had no idea the results would be so incredible!”
She collaborated with two nearby florists she makes flower deliveries to as an employee of River Twist Homestead, a 10-acre events farm and local flower business just outside historic Jamestown. Her winning entry contained flowers from River Twist in a vase from Grassy Knoll, a florist also in Jamestown.
Hagler was first introduced to flowers through her grandpa’s passion for gardening and attending flower shows. She quickly grew fascinated with native plants and growing things, later studying environmental science at UNC Greensboro for two years.
Additionally, Hagler works at the Farmers Curb Market in downtown Greensboro. She previously interned for their sustainability program and participated in a “Native Planting Day” where people brought in flowers, herbs and other native plants to cultivate beautiful gardens.
Hagler discovered River Twist Homestead after her dad and stepmom were married there. A few months later, River Twist was looking for extra help on the farm, and Hagler saw an opportunity to immerse herself fully in flowers. She’s been there for six months now and even started an Instagram account to promote the farm’s flowers, @rivertwistflowerfarm.
“River Twist Homestead is a women-run farm,” said Hagler. “The team includes myself, my boss Carolyn and our coworker Early. It’s a small group, but it’s been nice to learn a lot and harvest and deliver flowers with such wonderful people.”
Entering N.C. State Fair flower competitions provided a fun and creative outlet for Hagler to showcase her talents. She recommends the experience to any up-and-coming flower arrangers, regardless of skill level.
“I enjoyed reading through the competition descriptions because there were so many to enter,” said Hagler. “It was nice to talk to contestants and the people who worked there to make connections within the community.”
Hagler’s favorite flowers are dahlias, which she used in her blue-ribbon bouquet, and snapdragons.
After she brought her bouquets to the State Fair on a Sunday, the anticipation of receiving the judges’ results the following Wednesday was exciting but nerve-wracking for Hagler, as she wanted her flowers to remain in the best condition.
“Thankfully, I harvested everything fresh and early in the morning,” she said. “I found out I won a week after dropping off my flowers, and the fact that they held up so well was something I was quite proud of.”
Hagler is now looking forward to entering as many flower competitions as she can, including more N.C. State Fair competitions and ones at the Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem. She wants to explore new categories beyond the five she entered this year, like the miniature arrangement categories.
“Now that I’ve experienced these competitions for the first time, I feel a lot more confident in my abilities,” said Hagler. “Having a first and second-place title tied to River Twist is an amazing high to ride into preparing for our spring season and expanding the flower farm.”
Be sure to stop by the N.C. State Fair Flower and Garden Show in Heritage Circle before the fair ends Sunday, Oct. 27. Hagler’s award-winning bouquets are located in the flower barn next to the mum tree.