Keep in mind the deadline for entering is the 26th of this month. There are basically 4 shows that make up the Flower and Garden Show (actually there are 6, but two are restricted to members of those groups - Bonsai and Professional Florist). Anything growing in a container gets judged on Wednesday October 12th - so it has to be delivered to the flower house before that day (they are set up to receive them from Sunday til Tuesday). Anything cut and put in a vase is judged on Thursday, Oct 13th for the first show, on Monday Oct 17th for the second show and Thursday Oct 20th for the final or third show. So you have three chances to show your elephant ear (you can't enter the same leaf in each show, you won't get it back) or grass or tithonia.

Tithonia has its own category in each show - First Show is E01028, Second Show is E 02028, Third Show is E03028 - look for it under Cut Annual Flowers between Sunflower and Zinnias. There is a 24 inch maximum length.

Elephant Ears, 1 leaf has its own category in each show - First Show E01130, Second Show E02130, Third Show E 03130. There is a 24 inch maximum length (this can get tricky for the super large leaves, so most folks enter mid sized leaves).

Ornamental Grasses - this year most require three stems and they must have plumes (seed heads) at least for the categories your grass would qualify for. First Show E 01185. Maximum length 48 inches. Second Show E 02185, Third Show E03185.

Keep in mind that you are not being judged for how large something is or how rare something is - it is all about how healthy something is. To get the biggest prizes you have to enter something in perfect condition. Most gardeners entering the show harvest multiple specimens and bring them all in in one bucket. At the flower house they trim them to size and pick the best one to enter, affix their entry tag, stick it in a vase (we provide them) and walk it to the entry desk. You never know how a leaf or a flower is going to handle the transport from your garden to the fairgrounds so it is best to bring a couple and pick the best one after you get here. It can be a mad house in the parking lot so show up early if possible. And don't forget to keep your claim check if you enter anything in a container.

Good luck!

Thanks, John. That is very helpful.
For the elephant ear leaf, how do folks cut and bring them? Cut as large a stalk as possible or just the leaf without the stalk? And what to do to keep it from wilting? If I enter the Second Show, which is on Monday, can I bring the items in on Sunday? And do I have to be present on Monday during the actual judging event?
Pictures of possible entries-

Most folks don't enter that type of elephant ear - mostly because they wilt once cut and also because they are usually over 24inches. The most common type entered is the Portodora, an Alocasia (the leaves tend to point up). They can also get big but folks enter the smaller leaves. They don't wilt as bad. You might try cutting them a day or two ahead and keep them in a vase of water to see if they recover.

The fairgrounds is only set up for entries during the fair on the mornings of those shows. You get to drive up to the parking lot beside the flower show area without needing a ticket (you will have to explain why you are there to the folks at the gate) and haul your stuff into the show area. I believe the prep times are from 8am til 2pm but you might want to double check that online (I don't have my print out with me). There is no way to enter before the show dates for cut specimens - the shelves are full, there's no spot to place your entry.

Most people have better luck if they cut the specimens extra long the night before and store them in a cool place over night. Get them to the fairgrounds and then trim them down to the prefect size for entry (under 24 inches and whatever size makes them look the best).