By this time, most of the cities and towns in this year's America in Bloom contest have hosted the judges. For two days or so, you've been able to showcase your city's strengths to a pair of outsiders who arrive without bias to see how your city compares to others of similar size. They look at what you show them, but they often see different things.

 

It's "Homecoming" for this year's 7th Annual America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program, October 2-4. Celebrate in AIB's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where you'll be treated to small-town hospitality and big-city culture.

 

Sessions and learning tours will provide easy-to-implement take-home ideas that relate to the eight AIB criteria (floral displays, landscaped areas, turf and groundcover areas, urban forestry, environmental awareness, tidiness, heritage preservation, and community involvement).

 

Begin planting pride in your community by attending this year's symposium!

 

 

America in Bloom judges Bill Hahn of Akron, Ohio, and California native Jana Kattenhorn were on hand all day touring various locations in town such as the Mason County Public Library, sewage plant, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, Point Pleasant Riverfront Park, Gunn Park, the Mothman Museum, Silver Bridge Memorial, the Mason County Courthouse and the West Virginia State Farm Museum.

 

Hahn described the America in Bloom competition as a friendly competition designed to bring communities together. "(America in Bloom) is a community development project disguised as a beautification project. The point is to have people come together and learn about the community," he said.

  

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We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, LKunkle@ofa.org.