Fresh off a national award last fall, Stratford’s Communities in Bloom committee is now accepting local nominations for this year’s Best Blooming Garden contest.
Fresh off a national award last fall, Stratford’s Communities in Bloom committee is now accepting local nominations for this year’s Best Blooming Garden contest.
“Especially during the pandemic, gardens were the highlight of our summers,” committee member Barb Hacking said Friday. “(The contest) is recognizing people who take the time to make our city beautiful, and there’s many of them.”
If you think you know someone with a garden worthy of recognition, nominations can be sent to the committee by emailing [email protected]. Nominations should include a photo of the garden with the owner’s permission, their contact details and a few lines about why the garden deserves to be recognized.
The committee is accepting nominations until Aug. 5. Afterwards, six winners will receive prizes.
Similar contests are being held by Communities in Bloom committees across the country. The volunteer organization’s national judges will be in Stratford Aug. 16-18.
Last summer, avid Stratford gardener Bernie van Herk was recognized at the Communities in Bloom National Awards and Community Showcase for his impressive front yard garden on Huron Street. The Stratford committee was also recognized at the event for their work throughout the pandemic, which included upkeep at the Ted Blowes Memorial Garden in Confederation Park.
Van Herk, who was keeping an eye on the public garden with other members of the committee Friday, hopes local gardens, including his, are offering people a sense of hope during the pandemic.
“That’s what we’re really hoping for,” he said. “That’s what we want (after) what we went through the last two years.”