Record Number of Nominations:
Front Yards In Bloom Contest Blossoms
A total of 1,016 Edmonton homes – a new record – have been nominated for an award in this year’s Front Yards in Bloom contest.
Designed to encourage people to beautify their yard and take pride in their neighborhood, the contest has reached new heights this year due to greater community involvement.
“We’re particularly pleased to see the number of community leagues taking part,” noted contest coordinator Rodney Al.
“Not only does this increase awareness to the program, but many of the homeowners will now be recognized locally, through community league newsletters and functions held by their own league.”
Each nominated yard will get a certificate of appreciation from the City of Edmonton and the finalists will be featured in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Examiner, CBC Radio and City Link.
A new category this year is for “Edible Front Yards,” where homeowners showcase a variety of plants like raspberry or blueberry bushes, cherry and apple trees, tomato and dill plants. The winners in this category will be selected by Just Food Edmonton.
“This also contributes to community spirit building,” Al noted, “particularly with the number of entrants who are quite willing to share their harvest with whoever happens to walk by.”
A separate category has also been created for “Natural Front Yards” where the owner has focused on plants native to Alberta. Winners in this category will be selected by the Edmonton Naturalization Group.
The third category focuses on the yard’s overall appearance, tidiness, contribution to the local streetscape and number of unusual or eye-catching features.
All of this year’s winners will be announced at a gala celebration, scheduled for city hall on Thursday, July 30.
Nominations were made by community leagues, Canada Post letter carriers, program volunteers and the general public, who could recommend a yard by simply calling 3-1-1.
Photo Caption
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues executive director Allan Bolstad and Edmonton Horticultural Society president Lucy Chang, two of this year’s Front Yards in Bloom judges, check out a yard in Belmead, one of this year’s contest finalists.