Even a cold snap in the middle of blooming season couldn’t stopdevoted camellia growers from making the Brookhaven CamelliaSociety’s 40th Annual Camellia Show a success this weekend.

“We really were pleasantly surprised to have so many blooms,even with the recent cold weather,” said Homer Richardson, co-chairof the show.

Residents can view the more than 1,000 blooms on display at theBrookhaven Recreation Department, located in the old National GuardArmory on Highway 51, from noon until 4 p.m. today. The blooms wereon display for several hours Saturday as well.

Homer and Lynn Richardson, co-chairs of the show, reported a”high volume of traffic” throughout the day.

Event organizers were also pleased with the turnout fromparticipants, ranging from local small growers to larger growers inLouisiana, Florida, Alabama and Texas.

“Everything has gone real smooth. It’s been a wonderful show,”said Mike Jinks, president of the Brookhaven Camellia Society.

After accepting entries for four hours Saturday morning, judgesviewed all the blooms and awarded prizes.

Some of the local winners who made it to the head table in theirrespective categories were:

* Lynn Richardson of Brookhaven – the Mrs. Hugh V. Wall awardfor the best Lincoln County bloom

* Fannie Phillips of Brookhaven – the best tray of three (same)in the small growers of japonica unprotected

* Pat Jacobs of Brookhaven – the three court of honor in thesmall growers of japonica unprotected

* Homer Richardson of Brookhaven – the best tray of three (sameor different) in the hybrid unprotected

* Kip Higdon of Hazlehurst – runner-up in the small growers ofjaponica unprotected

Other coveted awards included the Best White-Dabney TownsendAward, which went to James and Elaine Smelley of Moss Point, andthe best Tom Perkins Award, given to Walter Creighton of Semmes,Ala.

Dozens of camellia plants were sold during the event to givemore local residents the chance to enter blooms in future shows. Afew plants will also be given away as door prizes at 4 p.m.today.