HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The City of Holland is going international.
The Holland in Bloom committee is taking to the next step and accepting the invitation to participate in the Communities in Bloom International challenge. Holland has participated in the national America in Bloom competition for six straight years, receiving a 5-out-of-5-bloom rating and an Outstanding Achievement Award in one of the six criteria categories in each of the its six years of participation, beginning in 2011.
The international competition involves winners from different national programs, including Communities in Bloom (Canada), Britain in Bloom, America in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland, Japan in Bloom, Entente Florale (Europe), Comuni Fioriti (Italy), and other national programs. The participants are divided into population categories, and the judging is conducted on the same basic criteria as those used by America in Bloom.
Holland won the top award in its population category during the first four years, and the top award in the Circle of Champions Mid-Sized Cities category in the fifth year. Holland was also awarded the YouTube video award in 2014.
“We strongly believe that participation in the International Challenge will raise our community’s profile internationally, and lend support to the many efforts of our local businesses, organizations, and residents to engage with others on a global scale.” says Steve Zwiep, Chairperson of the Holland in Bloom committee.
