The entry deadline for Take Pride Winnipeg’s 10th annual Winnipeg in Bloom contest is fast approaching.
The deadline for the free contest, originally established by the WinnipegREALTORS® Association, is July 13.
“This contest is a fun way for citizens to show their pride in this great city,” said Colleen Kurlowich, manager of program and operations for Take Pride Winnipeg.
“Nominate your neighbours as well, or, better yet, get the entire block involved,” she added.
WinnipegREALTORS® is a Gold sponsor for the contest and hosts two major awards — the Curb Appeal award as well as the WinnipegREALTORS® Commercial Division Best Blooming Business award.
For the Curb Appeal award, REALTORS® nominate special residential properties from which one is selected as having the best curb appeal.
All commercial properties entered in the business categories of the contest are eligible for the special Best Blooming Business award.
Over the years, the contest became so popular and successful that WinnipegREALTORS® looked to Take Pride Winnipeg for help. The non-profit organization, dedicated to inspiring community pride and responsibility in keeping the city clean and beautiful, graciously took over the administration of the contest.
Approximately 500 participants across the city enter the contest each year in seven categories: residential property, business national chain, business independent, apartment blocks and condominiums, community effort, business improvement zone and previous winner residential (first-place winners in each area for 2005 and 2006 are placed in this category).
Winnipeg is divided into a number of judging areas. For the residential contest, each area has awards for first-, second- and third-place winners.
An added bonus is that one residential property will be chosen as Winnipeg’s entry in a national contest.
The Winnipeg in Bloom contest is only open to front yard properties within the city of Winnipeg’s municipal boundaries. For example, St. Norbert properties are eligible, but not East or West St. Paul properties.
Front yard properties are judged on curb appeal, innovative features and cleanliness.
Judging begins in July and is followed by an awards reception at Rainbow Stage in August.
The judging teams (groups of two) are all volunteers and may include local horticulturalists, sponsors, committee members and past participants.
A list of entries will be made available on the Take Pride Winnipeg website www.takepride.mb.ca by July 19.
A list of the winning properties will be on the website by August 20.
Entries for the Winnipeg in Bloom contest are available at all Winnipeg Home Depot (the title sponsor) locations, Winnipeg Lee Valley Tools or on-line at the Take Pride Winnipeg website.