HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Judges from the Communities in Bloom International Challenge competition made 17 different stops throughout the Tulip City on Monday and Tuesday for the international competition.
Judges Bob Ivison of London, England and Bob Lewis from Ottawa, Ontario toured Holland with staff from the City of Holland and members of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau.
The City was evaluated on tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, landscaped area and other aspects of urban beautification.
Linda Hart of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau says the judges were focused on environmental efforts and sustainability. Hart says they loved the downtown walking piece and the history.
“I think it was both educational and elighting to them to see how we do things a little different then maybe how they would do over there. For example, how we have a city owned power plant. They were interested in how a city can manage to build a power plant and the collaboration with the City of Holland, Holland Board of Public Works and the community.”
The cities in the competition include Bruges, Belgium, Coquitlam, BC and Wood Buffalo, Alberta in the “Large Communities” category and will be will be given written evaluations and be awarded for its efforts during a symposium in Ottawa in mid-September.
This is Holland’s first entry in the competition after a number years of success in the America in Bloom contest.
