By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga is all set to enter the national America in Bloom competition next year.
America in Bloom is a nonprofit organization that promotes civic pride and the beautification of cities and towns by encouraging the planting of flowers, plants and trees. Each year, the organization hosts a national awards contest with participants divided among 11 population categories.
Participating cities are evaluated on six criteria: floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, heritage preservation and overall impression. Along with possible awards and recognition, cities receive an evaluation form that includes comments on what the judges liked and suggestions for improvements.
“I’m all for it,” said Vice Mayor Howard Miller at the Nov. 5 city council meeting where the council approved a motion authorizing city staff to register for the contest and cover the entry fee cost. “This would be a wonderful showcase for our city.”
Both the registration form and the fee are due by Feb. 28.
Efforts to enter the contest were spearheaded by Councilwoman Jill Hunter, who about 10 years ago formed the Village Gardeners, a group that shares a love of gardening and comes together every week to help beautify the city. Last month, representatives from the Village Gardeners had requested $1,099 to pay the registration fee to enter Saratoga into the 2015 competition.
The group has agreed to take on responsibility for most of the organizing efforts, including completing a community profile, soliciting donations for the purchase of flowers, plants, soil and pots, and preparing for the judges’ visit in summer 2015. This entails securing at least two nights of accommodations and meals for the judges, as well as taking the judges on a tour of Saratoga.
At least one member of the Village Gardeners will also be attending AIB’s annual symposium and awards program in fall of 2015 in Holland, Mich.
