STURGIS — The Sturgis Horticultural Society held a garden party where guests were encouraged to wear their fanciest hats and enjoy a dainty lunch served with special tea cups and saucers. The event, held Aug. 21 at the Sturgis Community Hall, attracted 40 people.
“A large-scale show that we used to host was beginning to be too much for the organizations, with memberships getting smaller. There is just not enough help within the club to host such a large event. So we decided a fun, relaxing garden party with lunch would better fit what we could do,” said Lil Smith, a Sturgis Horticultural Society member.
According to the Sturgis history book, the Horticultural Society was formed in 1951 and hosted educational programs on topics such as pruning, grafting, making corsages, flower arranging, growing perennials, dahlias and lawns. Discussions were also held on new varieties, plant pests and landscaping.
Each August, the society hosted a horticultural show in the arena. It showcased the best in flowers and vegetables, with prizes awarded in each category. The show continued annually until COVID-19 regulations forced its cancellation.
