City of Brantford announces participation in Brantford is Bloomin’ campaign

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Brantford is Bloomin'

BRANTFORD, ON – This summer, the City of Brantford and Discover Brantford are inviting residents and local businesses to participate in the Brantford is Bloomin’ campaign. The campaign will coincide with this year’s Communities in Bloom (CIB) competition.

The Communities in Bloom judges will be visiting Brantford on August 6 to 8, 2024 to evaluate the City’s efforts in the key areas of the program. Judges will evaluate based on six key criteria including; community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and trails, landscape and plant and floral displays. There are several benefits to Brantford’s involvement in the CIB program such as increasing awareness of green and sustainable initiatives, environmental leadership, community involvement and pride, residents and business collaborations, continued improvement of horticulture in the community, tourism development and information sharing.

The community is invited to visit selected locations that will be judged including:

  • Lorne Park, 15 Colborne St. W.
  • Glenhyrst Gardens, 20 Ava Rd.
  • Waterworks Park, 400 Grand River Ave.
  • Brantford City Hall, 58 Dalhousie St.
  • Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie St.
  • Brant County War Memorial, 6 Dalhousie St.
  • Bell Memorial, 41 West St.
  • Prominence Point, 2 Brant Ave.
  • Brantford Children’s Memorial Garden, intersection of Brant Ave. and Palmerston Ave.

Discover Brantford is inviting residents and businesses to participate in the campaign leading up to the judging period, in several ways. Residents with exceptional residential gardens are invited to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #BrantfordIsBloomin. Local businesses are invited to participate by decorating their storefronts with floral displays, offering a product, service, or event with a floral theme, or just a bloomin' good deal. Businesses with reader board signage are encouraged to display a message saying “Welcome Communities in Bloom Judges” from August 6 to 8. All businesses are welcome to participate and while supplies last, Discover Brantford will provide a free Brantford is Bloomin’ window decal to participating retailers.

To learn more about Communities in Bloom, visit www.brantford.ca/CIB. To learn more about the Brantford is Bloomin’ campaign, visit www.discoverbrantford.ca/Bloomin. Brantford businesses who wish to get involved can contact the Discover Brantford team at tourism@brantford.ca.

Quotes

“In 2002, the City of Brantford was a Communities in Bloom National Award Winner! We look forward to welcoming this year’s judges in August and showcasing the City’s beautiful gardens that are maintained year-round by our hardworking, skilled and dedicated horticultural staff."
- Kimberley Wyskiel, Acting Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Brantford

“The Brantford is Bloomin’ campaign aims to foster community pride and highlight Brantford’s small business community. We are encouraging residents and visitors to participate in this fun initiative that will help showcase our beautiful City.”
- Kara Davey, Manager of Tourism Culture and Sport, City of Brantford

About the Communities in Bloom judges

Harry Jongerden is the retired Executive Director of the Toronto Botanical Garden, Garden Director of the VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, and Head of Horticulture at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton. He was also the Head Gardener for the Ontario Stratford Festival for seven years, and worked for 17 years in various roles for the Metro Toronto Parks Department.  In his garden-related volunteer roles, Harry was the designer/project leader of the Walkerton Heritage Water Garden and designer for the Lung Association's Stratford Garden Festival. He continues to serve on the board of the Canadian Garden Council and the Awards Committee of the American Public Garden Association.

Kathy Smythe is a current member of her local Horticultural Society, and past society president, Director of District 11, and President of the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA). She is now the secretary of District 11 of the OHA. In her “spare” time she is an active volunteer as a member the Chatham-Kent Heritage Committee, a member of the Chatham-Kent Tourism Advisory Council and Southwest Tourism. She has gardened ever since she can remember, having been raised on a farm in Chatham-Kent with vegetable, fruit and flower gardens covering two acres. She is a passionate gardener and enjoys an extensive plant and tree collection and has her judging certificate as an Ontario Horticultural Association Floral Judge. Kathy has worked with her community as a member of the Chatham-Kent Communities in Bloom Committee since 2008, and has first-hand experience earning the coveted 5 Bloom award as winner in provincial, national and international categories, and as the National winner in 2010.

About Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and an annual national program that challenges communities to enhance green spaces. To learn more, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca.

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Media Contacts:

Chelsey Tobin | Tourism Marketing Specialist, Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Initiatives |
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5048 | ctobin@brantford.ca  

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement |
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5218 | ssayles@brantford.ca