Lewes to welcome Communities in Bloom judges July 19
Lewes in Bloom and the City of Lewes will be competing in the Communities in Bloom International Challenge Friday, July 19, which evaluates municipal, residential, commercial and institutional space.
Two expert judges, one from Belgium and one from Hungary, will assess volunteer efforts relating to: community, environment, heritage, trees, landscape, and plant and floral displays.
Cities or towns are only eligible to enter Communities in Bloom if they have won a national competition already, which Lewes in Bloom has done several times. LIB won the America in Bloom competition five times and is a Grand Champion. It also won Communities in Bloom in 2018, and was awarded the title of Most Beautiful Small Town in the World. This year, Lewes will again be in competition with other international cities, and organizers are hoping for their second international win.
Judges’ decision-making day begins with an informative breakfast with Mayor and City Council, LIB board of advisors, chamber of commerce and Lewes Historical Society representatives. A video featuring the gardens of Lewes will be shown. The morning judging will concentrate on city parks and seeing the Children’s Learning Garden Ladybug Day presentation.
All citizens of Lewes are encouraged to be especially mindful of their gardens during the judges’ visit, as they will be looking at the town as a whole, not just the gardens tended by Lewes in Bloom.
The judges’ afternoon includes a tour of additional Lewes gardens and parks with live Celtic music at Mary Vessels Park, as well as learning about the the city’s past by visiting the Lewes Historical Society Campus. Judges will also view examples of other volunteer organizations, such as the dog park Lewes Unleashed and the Lightship Overfalls at Canalfront Park. Artwork throughout the town sponsored by Art in Bloom will also be highlighted. The judges will end their day at the Senators community clubhouse for a reception to meet and greet a few of Lewes in Bloom’s 400 volunteer members.
