Chinh Chi Pham Mesa Legend

Roses were judged at the festival that took place at MCC Nov. 15. The event was organized by the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society.

Nov. 15 marked the 47th Annual Rose Show and Festival, celebrated by the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society.
This year’s theme, “Celebrate Veterans with Roses,” was emphasized with red, white and blue arrangements of all types spread throughout the Kirk Student Center.
The celebration turned out to be a great success.  Hundreds of people of all ages brought in their best roses to show off their hobby, their pride and joy.
Behind all the pretty arrangements – ranging from a simple single rose in a vase to five mini roses placed perfectly on a black velvet board – there were many rules and regulations that members of the contest had to follow, down to the number of leaves on a stem.
There were a number of categories that were split up into divisions, sections and classes.
Each section in the divisions had placement rules.
“Open to exhibitors who have never won a blue ribbon in an American Rose Society show,” was placed below Division one, section one, “Novices,” in the rules and regulations book.
From there, according to the type, color, and size of the rose, a division, section, and class was chosen.
After a class was designated, the rules continued to divide up entries.
Roses were evaluated on a point-based scale.  Points were determined on form, color, substance, stem and foliage, size, balance and proportion; for a total of 100 points.
Along with the many rose exhibits, the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society provided free information on proper pruning, fertilizers and garden items.  
Gloves, clippers, rosebushes, and much more was available for sale at the show.
Through the efforts of countless volunteers and generous contributors, the MCC rose garden was able to join a partnership in 1996 with the Rose Society, making it the largest and most successful rose garden in the Southwestern desert.
More than 5,000 bushes of more than 500 varieties of roses are in full fragrance and bloom year-round.  
The lush, admired garden has received much recognition over the years.  In 2002, the governor of Arizona and several mayors from the East Valley gathered to declare that year the “year of the rose.”