Lewes wins top prize for Communities in Bloom International Challenge
Lewes was once again reaffirmed as one of the most beautiful towns in the world, as the city was named winner of the International Challenge for medium-sized towns at the Communities in Bloom Symposium on Sept. 29 in Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada.
Lewes topped four Canadian towns and one Croatian town to earn the honor. Lewes has previously won America in Bloom honors in 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2015, but this is the first time it’s entered an international competition.
“I thought we had a good chance to win,” said Warren Golde, founder of Lewes in Bloom. “What this town and our organization does is wonderful. I thought we might be hard to beat.”
Two judges visited Lewes in July for a one-day tour and evaluation. The judges were welcomed by local and state dignitaries, members of the business community and residents at a breakfast reception. Following a morning tour, judges enjoyed lunch at Black Hog Farm. After more touring, the day concluded with a dinner reception with the whole Lewes in Bloom membership.
“This community wouldn’t be what it is without our volunteers,” said Mayor Ted Becker. “We don’t have enough employees nor the financial resources to do what [Lewes in Bloom] does for our town.”
Lewes in Bloom maintains most of the gardens in the city’s parks as well as the flower boxes in the area of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal drawbridge.
Lewes in Bloom was founded in 2002. Along with Golde, there were seven other original members. Membership has grown to 235 members over the last 17 years.
“There’s not too much more we can do in terms of beautification,” Golde said. “There are not too many places to put gardens in Lewes. I think there’s a lot more we can do with making Lewes a healthier environment. That’s in its infancy.”
Art in Bloom will also likely take a larger role in the coming years, he said. The group, a subcommittee of Lewes in Bloom, was responsible for procuring and placing the public art windspinners near the library.
“The judges really thought that was a great initiative,” Golde said. “It was a real positive in their scoring.”
Lewes earned a score of 877 out of 1,000 possible points. That resulted in a Five Blooms Silver rating. Gold is the highest honor, but, Golde said, it is difficult for a town the size of Lewes to achieve that score.
Lewes competed against Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada; Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Manitoba, Canada; Jasper, Alberta, Canada; Novi Vinodolski, Croatia; and Stettler, Alberta, Canada. Jasper also received a silver rating.
“I was a little concerned about Jasper,” Golde said. “I visited their town on the way to the symposium. After looking at them, I thought our chances were good.”
Golde is confident the honor will bring more Canadian visitors to Lewes.
“We were treated very well in Canada,” he said. “People were very impressed with Lewes. I think it will increase Canadian tourism to Lewes. People have said they want to see our town.”
