Casa Grande Gourd Show, February 2013

We went to the 6th Annual Wertz Farm Gourd Show on February 3.  It is held at the Pinal County Fairgrounds and has outside displays, food vendors, gourd supplies, booths where finished gourds are for sale, and a large building showcasing the gourd competition.  Most of these pictures are from the competition.  We could hardly believe the talent and the huge variety of gourd creations.

A colorful welcoming display.

These large wire bins hold gourds for sale.  They come in every possible size and shape and are sold by the size.  These show the "before" gourds.  The following pictures show the "after" gourds.  Gourds are carved, wood burned, painted, beaded, made into bowls, purses, decorative items, etc.

Gourd nativity set.

Two turtles.  A little hard to see, but the one on the left has a saddle and cowboy hat on - very Western.

Not so scary witch.

Cinderella's coach and the next picture is a closeup of the mouse in front of the coach.

Picture those bumpy gourds you get at the grocery store to put on the Thanksgiving table.

A beaded gourd, of course!

This was the people's choice winner and took the artist 3 months to complete.  This globe depiction shows just one side of the gourd - it was decorated on all sides and was really beautiful.

This is an example of a gourd mask. The gourd is cut in half and is hung on a wall as a decoration.

An outside display called Gourds for all Seasons.  The little building named Kindergourden is full of fun information about gourds and how they are grown, harvested, etc.

We didn't  put our faces through the holes in this display, but we should have.  It was just so cute this way.

Grandma and Grandpa by the Shetland Ponies.  Notice the riders on the ponies are made from gourds.

Gourdbye!