Newport in the Spotlight for 2011 Flower Show

Now that the flora and fauna of Africa have departed our area, the organizers of the annual Newport Flower Show are already looking ahead to next year.

After the 2010 awards ceremony on Sunday, Chairwomen Candace Morganstern, Jocelyn Sherman and Pat Fernandez gathered to announce the 2011 show theme: Entertaining Newport-style.

"We're bringing you home," Fernandez told the audience, prompting an audible gasp from some as they heard the good news.

"It's going to be a celebration of the great hostesses of the past, and the hostesses of today and tomorrow," she explained. "So pack your picnics, plan your tea parties and plan on being here next June."

Chairwoman Morganstern told Patch this will be the first time the show has been entirely focused on its home city.

"I think we have related to Newport in the past, but not dedicated a whole theme to Newport," she said, noting that they expect the show to be "truly, truly amusing" and "educational."

Of course this year's show, "Safari - Flora and Fauna," had its fair share of highlights. The three-day event featured a number of African-inspired decorations on the front lawn, an array of horticulture, photographs and displays inside the Rosecliff Mansion, and a host of vendors in the back.

Morganstern said that the turnout for this year's show exceeded last year. An impressive number of both vendors and visitors participated.

"Everybody was inspired by the theme," she said. "It was really incredible."

Miss the show this year? Never fear. View our photos and video above for a glimpse of the event. Got your own images to share? E-mail them to lindsay@patch.com or just click "add" on this page.

The 2010 show culminated Sunday with the annual awards ceremony. Here are the winners:

DESIGN DIVISION

The Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award (design): Christine Decas, Wareham, MA

Corinne Clarke Reynolds Trophy (best interpretation of a selected design class):  Laura Lindop, Acton, MA

The Bettie Bearden Pardee Award (an outstanding design using all fresh plant material grown and arranged by the exhibitor): Shirley Minott, Hanover, MA

The Newport Flower Show Novice Award (most distinctive design by a novice in any class): Deborah Edwards, Newtown, CT

The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award (most distinctive entry by a first-time exhibitor in any design class): Christine Decas, Wareham, MA

The Preservation Society of Newport County Design Award (for the Design Challenge Class): Joanne Nikitas, Plymouth, MA

Garden Club of America Award of Distinction in Flower Arrangement: Laura Haley, Harrison, NY

National Garden Club Award in Design: Joanne Nikitas, Plymouth, MA

HORTICULTURE DIVISION

The Gilbert S. Kahn Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture):  Felicidad Zeballos, Newport, RI

The Mrs. Robert M. Grace Best in Show Award (horticulture): Arthur Scarpa, Reading, MA

The Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton Award (most creatively original and whimsical presentation of plant material in any container): Crystal Brinson, Fairhaven, MA

The Oatsie Charles Award (most outstanding cut specimen of a shrub grown for its flower):  Felicidad Zeballos, Newport, RI

The Annie Laurie Aitken Award (most outstanding rose cut specimen in show):  Felicidad Zeballos, Newport, RI

The Newport-in-Bloom Award (most exceptional entry in the Outdoor Container classes): Donna Boulay, Newport, RI

The URI Master Gardener Association Award (most distinctive indoor or outdoor container entry by a novice): Alise LaBranca, Rehoboth, MA

The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award (most distinctive entry by a first-time exhibitor in any horticulture class): Andy Michaelides, Hull, MA

Green Animals Topiary Award (best topiary in show): Felicidad Zeballos, Newport, RI

Rhode Island Wild Plant Society (best native RI plant in any class):   Libby Moore, Little Compton, RI

Garden Club of America Award of Distinction in Horticulture: Mrs. James J. Coleman, Newport, RI

National Garden Club Award in Horticulture: Jocelyn Sherman, Middletown, RI

PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISION

Newport Daily News Best in Show Award (for the most distinctive photograph, need not be a blue ribbon winner): Georgianna Erskine, Pasadena, CA

Garden Club of America Award of Distinction in Photography: Martha Currit Hough

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION DIVISION

The Daisy Award (most creative entry of the judged children's design class):  Ainsley Weber

The Green Thumb Award (for the children's horticulture exhibitor whose entry shows outstanding horticulture effort and conveys a sincere appreciation and love of plants): Arthur Lindh

GARDEN MARKETPLACE

1^st: Brooks Brothers

2^nd: Pomegranate Seeds

3^rd: Taskease

Honorable Mention: Mariquita Masterson

RETAIL WINDOW DISPLAY CLASS

1^st: Brooks Brothers

2^nd: Laura Jean

3^rd: Talbots

Honrable Mention: Wag Nation, Michael Hayes, Rib & Rhein, Newport Historical Society Museum Store