Which Towns Won America in Bloom Awards?

Chris Beytes

The big annual America in Bloom Symposium was held in Mass-achusetts and the culmination of the event was, of course, the naming of the prize winners—what towns took home beautification awards? Without further ado, they are:

Town    Population Category

Castle Rock, WA    Under 3,500

Lewisburg, WV    3,500 – 10,000

Morro Bay, CA    10,000 – 13,000

Ottawa, IL    13,000 – 18,000

Madisonville, KY    18,000 – 25,000

St. Charles, IL    25,000 – 50,000

Lexington, KY    Over 50,000

Gallipolis, OH    Champions – Small*

Washington, MO    Champions – Mid-Sized*

*The Champions categories are for towns that have a combination of any three: population category win and/or outstanding achievement awards.

Although we tend to be interested in America in Bloom for the flowers and plants that towns use, there are actually six criteria upon which participants are evaluated: overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas and floral displays. Additionally, communities were judged on their community involvement across municipal, residential and commercial sectors.

Congrats to the winners! GT