“Full” applied to more than just the blooms this weekend duringthe 43rd annual Brookhaven Camellia Show.

Tables at the Brookhaven Recreation Department were full withalmost 1,400 blooms on display Saturday and today. Followingjudging Saturday, blooms will continue to be on display today fromnoon to 4 p.m. at the recreation center on Highway 51.

“It’s most we’ve ever had at our show,” Show Chairman HomerRichardson said about the 1,384 entries.

Richardson said two additional tables had to be brought in toaccommodate the record number of blooms. He said organizers willhave to determine other display options if the number of bloomscontinue to grow in the future.

“We’ve really had a wide variety of blooms, and they’re all inexcellent condition,” Richardson said of this year’s entries.

Mike Jinks, Brookhaven Camellia Society president, was alsoimpressed.

“We’ve had a good show and a good turnout,” Jinks said.

Fifty-five judges, many of whom also brought blooms, came fromMississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama for theshow. Forty-nine awards were presented.

Among participants from Lincoln County, Bruce and Laura Grothclaimed the prize for Best Bloom in the small growers category.John P. Smith was the runner-up.

Also in the small grower category, Edna Bishop was the Tray ofThree-different varieties winner and John Paul Smith won for Trayof Three-same variety. Iva Nell Foster, Carol Burgess and PatJacobs were chosen for the Court of Honor.

The Don Estes Award for Best Lincoln County Bloom went toValerie Mills.

Richardson cited recent good weather as one reason for thenumber of blooms.

“We’ve been really fortunate,” he said.

Tom and Claudette Shelfer came from Houston, Texas, for theshow. They brought about 70 blooms.

“It’s one of the best shows they’ve ever had here,” Tom Shelfersaid.

This year was the first time for Earl Comstock, of Mobile Ala.,to attend the Brookhaven show. He said it rivaled larger shows inFlorida.

“It’s been just wonderful,” Comstock said. “I think you all havedone a good job here.”