Water Garden and Ornamental Fish Show is fun for all
By Lori O'Brien
Correspondent
NORTHAMPTON The New England Water Garden and Ornamental Fish Show is for the hobbyist of all ages, according to one of its organizers.
"This show is designed not only for the hobbyist, but for the hobbyist of tomorrow," said Joan Anderson, publicity chair, during an interview with Reminder Publications. "We have taken the extra step to make this event one that will include children and make it interesting and fun for them to get involved."
The show, hosted by the Pioneer Valley Water Garden & Koi Club and the Pioneer Valley Aquarium Society, is slated Aug. 26-27 at the Northampton Tri-County Fairgrounds.
One of the goals of the show is to promote and expand on the hobbies of maintaining successful pond or water gardens and keeping its inhabitants healthy, according to Anderson.
What makes the show unique is it is the only one of its kind in the Northeast and one of the largest in the country, added Anderson.
"We have combined the hobbies of fish keeping and water gardening and made it educational and fun," she said.
Anderson estimates that 95 percent of Americans have aquariums in their homes and now with the popularity of backyard ponds, it is the club's responsibility to educate the fish keeper hobbyist so their experience will be an enjoyable one.
"This will not only be a fun-packed weekend filled with competitions, shopping, raffles and giveaways, but it will also be an educational one with pond-building demonstrations, wet labs, lectures and presentations from some of the most knowledgeable people in the country," she added.
The show, now in its second year, has added special categories in the goldfish and water garden competitions especially for children.
"There will also be competitions and activities like coloring and picture taking designed just for children," said Anderson, adding "they will be amazed at the sizes and beautiful colors of all the different fish."
A host of lectures on Aug. 26 will be included in the price of admission. Lecture topics range from "Aquatic Plants," "Aeration" and "Aquatic Nutrition" to "Loricariid Catfishes" and "Koi Appreciation." Helen Roberts, DVM, owner, Aquatic Veterinary Services of Orchard Park, N.Y., will present a wet lab on Aug. 26, however, there is a registration fee to attend. Since there is only room for 25 participants for the wet lab, attendees must pre-register by e-mailing your name and telephone number to rockoi@comcast.net.
Show hours are Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 with children under 12 admitted free. Free parking is also available.
For more information on the show and the plethora of competitions planned, visit www.pioneervalleypondclub.com.
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