GREENVILLE, Ohio — Ever wanted to know what to do with those gourds that fill the garden in late fall? The uses for gourds are endless and such exhibits can be found at the Ohio Gourd Show, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, at the Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville.

The show, which is its 44th year, attracts thousands of hobbyists to the event. And the show now has a new home in Greenville. The show got its start at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus in 1946, but the following year the event was moved to downtown Cincinnati. It was in Cincinnati for four years before moving to Circleville to join festivities at the Circleville Pumpkin Show from 1951-56.

For the past 43 years the show was held in Mt. Gilead in eastern Ohio. Show organizers have decided that Greenville will be the final resting place for this show, which will be the last weekend in September.

“The show itself consists of gourds native to America and gourds native to other countries around the world,” said Lois Smith, one of the event coordinators. “Gourd growers from across the country bring trucks and trailers loaded to capacity with both decorative and hardshell varieties.”

Classes for novice gourd craftsmen will be offered. Instruction in making jewelry, workbaskets, purses, birdhouses, drums and other musical instruments will be provided. In addition, there are 143 exhibitor classes composed of horticultural or crafted entries.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For more information about the show or the many workshops on hand visit www.ohiogourdsociety.org

The contact person for this event is John Martin at martinjf@netzero.net

This farm news was published in the Sept. 27, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.