Virden first competed in the Canadian Communities in Bloom program in 1996. The Town was entered in the competitive population categories until 2007, achieving the maximum ‘5 bloom’ rating for several years. From 2008 until 2012 Virden was entered in non-competitive categories.
It quickly became obvious how the community as a whole improved in overall appeal through the efforts of the Virden in Bloom committee that so actively coordinated the various projects that produced the successes.
For 2017, the National Communities in Bloom organization established the ‘Canada 150 category’ as a one-time non-competitive edition with emphasis on Canada’s 150th anniversary. This provides communities that had been past participants, a special opportunity to showcase their achievements in their community. Virden has accepted the challenge, and is participating.
Two judges will come to our community on July 25 to evaluate our efforts, focusing on our achievements in: Cultural Heritage including Canada’s 150th Anniversary; Landscape, including Urban Forestry; Floral displays; and Environmental Action.
Instead of the usual ‘Bloom’ rating, this new category will earn a maximum ‘5 Leaves, Gold rating’. Everyone in Virden will have to do their part for us to be successful!
Virden Parks Department manager, Tracy Howard, is coordinating the Virden in Bloom Committee.
It is important to note that when the judges come to our community for the evaluation that they take notice of the participation effort in:
1. Municipal – which includes Town owned properties, parks, green spaces, streets and streetscapes including museums and other historical sites.
2. Business and Institutions – which includes the commercial sector, industrial parks, and shopping centres. Also included are schools, churches, hospitals and community organization buildings.
3. Residential – which includes all private residential property.
4. Community Involvement – which includes community organizations and citizen groups, organized clubs such as garden clubs, and service clubs.
It becomes obvious that to impress the judges everyone will have to do their part. General tidiness is most import, so it is very important for everyone, from businesses to private properties to make their property ‘weed free’, including curb side, back lane, and front street areas.
A town-wide ‘clean up day’ is scheduled for Saturday July 22, and will need volunteers to make the day effective.
