AIB Announces Participants for 2015

Jennifer Zurko

Each participant in this year’s America In Bloom program will receive a two-day visit from a two-person team of specially trained judges. They’ll tour the community, meet with volunteers, elected officials and members of the business community, and then develop an extensive written evaluation. Many mayors have commented that the evaluation would cost upwards of $10,000 if the city had hired a consultant to do the work.

Since 2002, America in Bloom has engaged nearly 250 towns in 40 states, touching millions of lives. Awards will be announced at the annual symposium to be held this year in Holland, Michigan, on September 24-26.

Participants are:

Population Categories
Under 3,500 | Independence, LA; Slippery Rock, PA; Edmonston, MD; Castle Rock, WA; Combined Locks, WI   
3,500 to 6,000 | West Columbia, TX; Brewton, AL; Lewisburg, WV; Catskill, NY
6,000 to 12,500 | Tarboro, NC; Newtown Township, PA; Belpre, OH; Morro Bay, CA
12, 500 to 16,000 | Marietta, OH; Woodhaven, MI; Warrenville, IL; Holliston, MA
16,000 to 20,000 | Fairhope, AL; Madisonville, KY; Fairview Park, OH; Ottawa, IL   
20,000 to 30,000 | Hammond, LA; Winter Park, FL; Venice, FL; Calabasas, CA
30,000 to 40,000 | Saratoga, CA; Santa Paula, CA; Hopkinsville, KY; St. Charles, IL
Over 40,000 | Rockford, IL; Lexington, KY; Henderson Co., NC

Champions Category
Small Champions Category | Gallipolis, OH; Echo, OR; Lewes, DE; Greendale, IN; McCall, ID
Mid-Sized Champions Category | Estes Park, CO; Arroyo Grande, CA; Washington, MO; Holland, MI

America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work and play—benefiting from colorful plants and trees, enjoying clean environments, celebrating heritage and planting pride through volunteerism. GT