Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale
The Largest C&S Show and Sale in the World!
Inter-City Newsletter
38th Inter-City Show and Sale
August 2-4, 2024 Los Angeles County Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 Reservations required
The 38th Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale, hosted by the Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, and Long Beach cactus clubs, is an unparalleled event for cactus and succulent enthusiasts. Often referred to as the “Comic-Con” of the cactus world, the show features over 1,000 specimen plants from six continents, showcasing the diversity and beauty of these remarkable plants.
The Sales Area will offer thousands of uncommon and specialty plants from vendors nationwide. With two dozen word-class vendors, this is a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire rare plants that require special care in terms of watering, light, and growing conditions.
Education is a key component of the Inter-City Show and Sale. The “Walks and Talks” sessions, led by experts, will cover various topics including potting and repotting your plants, propagation, seed growing, and staging for show. Speakers, times, and topics TBA.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is the opportunity to meet fellow succulent enthusiasts. Over the years, the show has fostered countless friendships and facilitated the exchange of plant material and information. Attendees can expect to connect with others who share their passion and gain new insights into the world of cacti and succulents.
Our Show and Competition highlight rare, exotic, and mature specimens that you do not find anywhere else. Also, a panel of renowned judges will be on hand to select the best plants for our trophy table..
Entry Tags & Show Schedule
Entry tags and show schedules are available at all club meetings. The schedule is the listing of all the plant categories and rules. If you need either, contact Gunnar Eisel at Gunnar.eisel@gmail.com and we will mail them to you. Tags and the schedules will also be available during the set-up days.
If you are a novice, there will be people there to help with identification and placement. We all start as novices.
Tickets, Attendance, and Parking
Due to the significant increase in parking demand, the Arboretum now requires ADVANCE PURCHASE TICKETS for EVERYONE except vendors, volunteers, and Arboretum members. Volunteers are allowed to enter two hours before their shift to shop and tour the show. All vendors and volunteers must park in the designated Arboretum employee parking
Join us for another exciting and successful Inter-City Show and Sale, where both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts can learn, connect, and expand their collections. For more information, contact Gunnar Eisel at Gunnar.eisel@gmail.com
Plant Entry and Take-Out Times
Plant entry times are from:
1:00pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 31st
8:00am to 9:00 pm on Thursday August 1st
9:00am to 4:00 pm on Friday August 2th
All plants must be in place before 4:00 pm to allow the start of judging.
Take-out starts at 5:00pm on Sunday August 4th.
All plants must be removed on Sunday evening.
Shirts and Artwork
This year’s T-Shirt design is Pachypodium windsorii by
Nelson Hernandez. T-shirts are for sale at all three clubs.
Be sure to wear yours to the show and sale!
Wear your club badges!
A lively crowd enhances the experience, making the show even better. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with members from other clubs and enjoy more time with the plants you adore. If you haven’t attended a show before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of growing tips and advice shared freely. This is a top-notch learning opportunity, requiring no prior experience or plant expertise (though you likely know more than you realize).
Volunteers! Your Help Needed!
Your help is essential! We need volunteers throughout the entire weekend, beginning with setup on Wednesday morning and ending with teardown on Sunday at 5 PM. Please inform Sandy Chase (1-818-367-0864) if you can assist. Volunteer duties include, but are not limited to: setting up the show, arranging tables, organizing categories, managing holding areas, monitoring lines, checking receipts at the back gate, and assisting in the kitchen. EVERYONE is needed to greet the public, answer questions, and keep an eye on the plants.
Golden Sweeps!
Golden Sweeps have been a part of our show for several years. These are special awards to those who win a first, second, and third place in a single category in Class 1 (Cacti) or Class 2 (Succulents). Bring in those “extra” plants that will give you a chance at these special awards. It’s no secret that these are easiest to win in the Novice class. We give out about the same number in Cacti and Succulents, so bring what you grow best.
Saturday Night Auction and Dinner
The Saturday night auction and dinner has been a staple of our show since its inception. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discuss the intricacies of showing and judging while connecting with wonderful people from other clubs and out-of-town guests. The auction is a highlight, featuring spectacular plants from some of the best growers, often at surprisingly affordable prices. Many of these plants go on to be showcased on the trophy table in the future.
Social hour begins at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. Enjoy an extensive taco bar featuring chicken, pork, and beef tacos, along with salad, soft drinks, and dessert. The cost is $30.00. To make reservations and payments, please contact Margie Wilson at MargieKidsMW@gmail.com.
Auction Plants
Due to the high volume of auction plants, we request that you inform one of the show chairs before bringing any plants. Please note that there is a two-plant limit per person and an overall limit on the total number of plants.
Location: Dinner on side patio of Ayres Hall. Auction inside Ayers Hall