- Author: Betty Victor
The National Heirloom Exposition was held in Santa Rosa at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Sept. 9-11, 2014. As their advertisement says, this is “The Worlds Pure Food Fair”. The show is held for home gardeners, farmers, children and anyone-especially if you are interested in organic gardening. This was my first time attending this exposition. I did learn that any profit generated by this is donated to school gardens and food programs.
Our first stop was the “Hall of Flowers” where the produce exhibit was held. On entering this exhibit hall the first thing you see is the “Tower Of Squash”. This tower is approximately 12 feet tall, and maybe 8 feet wide. It is made from every type and color of squash that is grown. Not all the heirloom's shown are from California, several came from different parts of the country. The people who built the squash tower came from Illinois. Also in this hall were several exhibits done by children in their respective school gardens class. They ranged in age from kindergartners through high school age.
Large pumpkins, the type that are grown for the large pumpkin contests that are held lined one wall. A table had various types and sizes of plants that were bonsaied. Some of the containers had succulents in them, as a reminder not to over water. Another table had the most unusually gourds that I have ever seen. Several colors, sizes and some looked like they had warts all over them.
Chile peppers from very mild to the very hot ghost peppers were on a table all by themselves.
But the stars of this room were the tomatoes, so many it's hard to remember all of them. There was a string of very tiny red ones to the very large. Tomatoes, with variegated colors, along with dark plum, red, yellow, green and burgundy. One tomato that stood out was named ‘Blue & Gold' that starts out green, goes to red then turns to a very dark burgundy almost black as it ripens.
There was even a Chef, who said he has appeared on television with this special talent. Carving beautiful designs in watermelons.
Another building held the poultry. Outside they had sheep that sheds, so it doesn't produce wool. This sheep is grown as a food source. Alpacas, plus several sheep that do produce wool all these animals are fed organic food.
Inside the main building is where the approximately 300 venders selling organic products for gardening, and home. Others had tools, food, books, and jewelry. All in all it was a fun, educational, day with a group of friends.