Upbeat Times


17th


Annual SUMMER Guide #2


2016


SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ Get ready to be entertained by the intuitive vision of Greg Dun- can, whose talent and artistry will once again bring


to life the


Sonoma County Fair’s Hall of Flow- ers. For more than 20 years, Duncan has been the cre- ative mastermind behind the fl oral show, and this year the Sonoma Coun- ty Fair is pleased to dedicate the 2016 Hall of Flowers to the exhibit’s cre- ative director and designer, as well one of the Fair’s most talented con- tributors. Almost four de-


cades ago that Greg moved to Sonoma County to pur- sue a degree in T eater Arts from Sonoma State University. Upon his very fi rst visit to the Fair, the Hall of Flowers leſt its mark. And with the charm and tenacity we are well acquainted with today, he persuaded the designer, Jacque Giuff re, to let him participate as her assistant


until he took over as Hall of Flowers designer in 1994. “It’s such an honor to work with the Fair team in creating a new and exciting fl oral exhibit each year,” shares Duncan, “It liter- ally takes a village to fi t all of the pieces together. For me, it is much like directing a play


DROP IN FOR A FREE HONEY TASTING


Open every day at 10 am!


202 West 7th St. Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-545-7528


18 • July 2016 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC. 2 Great Locations! Sebastopol & SF Ferry Building


HONEY, GIFTS, SUPPLIES, CLASSES & CANDLES 921 Gravenstein Hwy. South, Sebastopol (707) 824-2905 beekind.com


for the next 7 years. Duncan worked side by side with Giuf- fre to develop and build each theme into a living work of art


July 2016 • 18


Sonoma County Fair 2016 Hall Of Flowers Dedicated To Creative Director And Theme Genius Greg Duncan


Emmy Award Winning Designer Honored By


and the fl owers are our actors. Together we make something beautiful that will enrich and entertain those who visit.” For nearly 30 years,


Duncan has been a valu- able member of the Fair family, transforming a cavernous 27,000 square foot building into the magical and alluring Hall of Flowers. Now in his 22nd year as creative di- rector, Duncan’s experi- ence and leadership have made the Sonoma Coun- ty Fair’s Hall of Flowers the largest themed fl oral show on the West Coast. For more than four months each year Dun- can orchestrates a team of talented designers, build- ers, and landscapers to bring the fl ower show’s theme to life. Because of Duncan’s


creative pursuit of au-


thenticity and depth the Hall of Flowers has been awarded several accolades, including recognition from the Western Fairs Association. Duncan is also the owner of Duncan De- sign Inc., a Santa Rosa com- pany specializing in design and


fabrication of themed


environments for amusement parks and specialty museums. Duncan’s work has included shows at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, T e Haunted Cas- tle at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a wax museum in Hawaii. He even received an Emmy for his work on PBS’ “Dr. Science’s National Science Test.”


T e Sonoma County Fair


Board is honored to dedicate this year’s Hall of Flowers to Emmy-award-winning de- signer Greg Duncan for his passion, long-time dedication, and invaluable contributions to the Sonoma County Fair and Hall of Flowers.


... continued on page 24 “A healthy attitude is contagious; let others catch it.” ~ Charles F. Glassman


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24