About the Festival

Where Delaware’s roots meet bold new tradition. June 2026, join us in Lewes, Delaware — the First Town in the First State — for the first annual Blue & Gold Garden & Crab Festival. Centered around a vibrant container garden contest, this one-day event brings together gardeners, artists, families, and food lovers for a joyful celebration of color, creativity, and community. With garden displays, live bluegrass music, all-day food, and a crab reception by the bay, this is a Delaware tradition in the making.

Join Us

Let’s create something extraordinary together

The Garden Contest is where imagination grows — one portable container at a time.

Include Blue and Gold and Something that Grows - You're Eligible!

Portable Container Contest Overview

Design a portable container garden using Delaware’s signature colors — blue and gold — through flowers, containers, or creative accessories. From a teacup of violets to a bike basket overflowing with sunflowers, every entry tells a story. This contest is the centerpiece of the festival, open to all ages and abilities. Blue and Gold can be used in any configuration or any part – as long as your container garden contains elements of blue and gold it is eligible.

EXPLORE CATEGORIES BUTTON TO ENTER

Special Category

Culinary Garden Creations

A special division honoring edible, drinkable, or culinary-themed container gardens.

Grow any edible creation or herbs in bread pans, edible flowers in teapots, or salad greens in spice racks – it’s up to you! Creative use of kitchen containers + edible plants earns extra points.

GUIDELINES

MEET THE JUDGES

Our container garden competition is guided by a panel of local experts, artists, educators, and horticultural leaders — each bringing a unique perspective rooted in design, ecology, and community. These judges aren’t just evaluating plants — they’re recognizing storytelling, innovation, and Delaware pride in every container.

👩‍🌾 Garden & Design Professionals

Experts in landscape architecture, floral design, and native planting practices will assess creativity, structure, and plant health across every category.

🖌️ Artists & Creative Thinkers

Local artists and educators will judge artistic merit, color harmony, visual balance, and the imaginative use of blue and gold.

🍋 Culinary Judges (Special Division)

Chefs, food stylists, and edible garden advocates will weigh in on the Culinary Garden Creations category — focusing on creativity, presentation, and edible plant integration.

♿ Accessibility Advocates

Inclusive design professionals and community leaders will provide input on ADA-Accessible Garden entries, recognizing function, beauty, and thoughtfulness in access.

🎖️ What They Look For:

Originality and creativity
Clear integration of blue and gold
Health and care of plants
Container concept and execution
Cohesiveness of design
Educational or cultural storytelling (if present)