Two Rural Men bring commitment and gladiolus to Floriculture exhibit at 2009 Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – For some fairgoers, like H. Edward Frederick and Larry Shultz, the Illinois State Fair is a time honored tradition that requires months of preparation combined with the gift of a green thumb.
Frederick, an Elgin native, was the winner of the 2009 Grand Champion in the Gladiolus division of the Floriculture exhibit being held at the Emmerson Building Annex, which is located directly behind the Emmerson building on Main Street. Frederick’s victory marks his fourth win in the gladiolus division in the past five years, which he credits to the five hours a day that he spends working on his yard and garden.
Frederick, 76, began his floriculture career in 1951 and was quick to win his first Grand Championship in 1954. The 2009 Illinois State Fair marks the 55th year that Frederick has been involved in competitions at the Illinois State Fair and over the years he has developed a certain admiration for the Illinois State Fair and its competitions.
“We are very lucky to have the fair. I hope it continues for a long time,” Frederick said. “I really enjoy all of the competitions. Competing really gets in your blood.”
Similar to Frederick, is the dedication that Larry Shultz has demonstrated to the Illinois State Fair. The 2009 Illinois State Fair marks the 50th consecutive year that Shultz has attended and competed in floriculture competitions. Shultz first attended the Illinois State Fair in 1960 where he displayed his gladiolus’.
Shultz, 68, credits his start in floriculture to his father who also enjoyed spending time in the garden. Shultz, a life long St. Louis Cardinal’s fan, agreed with Frederick that tradition is a strong factor in why he comes back each year.
“Tradition always brings me back. These displays (gladiolus) bring smiles to people’s faces and more than anything I enjoy sharing the flowers with everyone more than the actual showings and awards,” Shultz said.
Shultz contributed over 200 gladiolus bulbs to the 2009 floriculture exhibit.
The Emmerson Building Annex is open Monday through Friday from Noon to 7:30 p.m. and from Noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday (Aug.22) The Illinois State Fair will be held through Sunday, Aug. 23.

Illinois State Fair August 15th & 16th 2009

Grand Champion- Cool White - Ed Fredericks
Reserve Grand Champion- Ringmaster- Ed Fredericks
Grand Champion 3-Spike- Parade- Jeff Licht
Reserve Champion 3-Spike- Queen's Blush- Jeff Licht
Best Open- Ring Master- Ed Fredericks
Best Amatuer- Creamy Yellow- Adens Family
Peoples Choice- Star Performer- Jeff Licht
Champion 5-spike- Crown Jewel- Jeff Licht
Best Basket- Mr. Fox- Joe Steffen
Best Recent- Cool White- Ed Fredericks
Best Seedling- F8-06 - Ed Fredericks
Illinois Seedling- F8-06- Ed Fredericks
Best Minature- Cool White- Ed Fredericks
Best Corasage- Nicholas- Adens Family

Best Corsage

Champion 5 spike

Best Basket

Best Amatuer

Reserve 3 spike

Champion 3 Spike

Reserve Spike

Grand Champ Spike

Mississippi Valley Fair, August 9th, 2009

Grand Champion- Ringmaster 364- Ed Frederick
Reserve Grand Champion-Enchanted Evening 435- Al Gruber
Three Spike Champion- Ice Cap 400- Andy Tygrett
Reserve Three Spike Champion- Crown Jewel 455- Jeff Licht
Seedling Champion- Ed Frederick
Novice Champion- Star Performer 377- Joe Wasler

Illinois Gladiolus Society Show Dates

The dates in GladWorld are wrong!!!!
Marshall-Putnam , Henry IL July 11-12 (Novice Only!)
Mississippi Valley Fair- Davenport, IA August 9th
Illinois State Fair- Springfield, IL August 15th-16th
Sorry for any problems this may have caused.

Bulb Auction Rescheduled

The Illinois Gladiolus Society Bulb Auction will be held April 19th, At the Illinois FFA Center in Springfield, Illinois. We will meet at Ryan's and Try to start the meeting at the FFA Center at 12 noon. Hope to see you there.

Bulb Auction Meeting Cancelled

Due to Weather all over the state this morning the Illinois Gladiolus Society Meeting in Springfield is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Illinois Bulb Auction

The Illinois Gladiolus Society would like to thank to all the exhibitors that have shown Gladiolus this past year and extend a invitation to join the Illinois Gladiolus Society and come to our Annual Spring Bulb Auction, March 29, 2009 at the Illinois FFA Center in Springfield, Illinois at noon. If you need more information contact Joe Steffen.

Washburn Show, Washburn, Illinois August 16 & 17, 2008

Grand Champion Spike--Perth Pearl--Jeff Licht

Reserve Grand Champion Spike--American Dream-- Ed Frederick

Grand Champion 3 Spike--American Dream--Ed Frederick

Reserve Champion 3 Spike--Perth Pearl-- Jeff Licht

Best Recent Introduction Large-- Aaralyn--Ed Frederick

Best Recent Introduction 300--Antiopa-- Al Gruber

Bect Recent Introduction Small--Cherry Berry--Ed Frederick

Small Seedling Champion-#0023--Al Gruber

Seedling Champion 3 spike--6F-- Al Gruber

Amatuer Champion-- Perth Pearl--Jeff Licht

5-spike Champion--Creamy Yellow--Jeff Licht

All American Champion--New Parfait-- Al Gruber

Best Old Timer--Parade--Jeff Licht

6 exhibitors

241 spikes

Illinois State Fair, Springfield, Illinois August 12 &13 2008

Grand Champion Spike-- Ice Cap---Jeff Licht
Reserve--13-12---Al Gruber
Miniature Champion--American Dream---Ed Frederick
Open Champion-- 13-12---Al Gruber
Champion 3 Spike-- Starry Night---Merle Schweineke
Reserve 3 spike--American Dream---Ed Frederick
Rest Recent Introduction--Pink Paradise- Ed Frederick
Best Seedling-- o5-2--- Ed Frederick
Amatuer Champion--Ice Cap---Jeff Licht
5 Spike Champiom-- Drama---Jeff Licht
Best Basket-- Kings Gold---Joe Steffen
Best Corsage--Seedling- Aden Family

8 Exhibitors
595 Spikes

Marshall Putnam Fair, Henry Illinois July 12 & 13, 2008

Grand Champion--Blue Sky--- Joe Steffen
Reserve Champion --Majestic Star ---Jim Steffen
Open Champion --Blue Sky--- Joe Steffen
Champion 3 spike --Blue Sky--- Joe Steffen
Best Recent --Romance--- Jim Steffen
Novice Champion --Joyeous Entre' ---Linda Booth
Amateur Champion --Majestic Star ---Jim Steffen
Champion 5 spike --Early Display--- Joe Steffen
Best Old Timer --Blue Sky ---Joe Steffen
Best Basket Mixed ---Joe Steffen