Judges to Tour St. Charles Floral Dispalys, Landscaped Areas for 'American in Bloom' Awards Program

Submission by the city of St. Charles

Like a hardy, showy perennial, the St. Charles America in Bloom Committee is back and planning a second run in the 2016 America in Bloom national awards program. Last year, St. Charles received an impressive rating of 4 out of 5 “Blooms” and special recognition from the judges for our Community Landscaped Areas.

From July 10 to 12, two program judges will be in St. Charles touring floral displays, landscaped areas and environmental project sites. Magenta, purple, yellow and white have been chosen as the colors for the program’s plantings.

But the American in Bloom program is about more than just flowers. The judges also will be reviewing St. Charles’ heritage preservation, urban forestry and environmental efforts, in addition to community involvement and overall community impression.

“It was wonderful to work with all the volunteers last year from the community and various participating organizations who came together to make this event happen,” said 5th Ward Alderman Maureen Lewis, member of the America in Bloom Committee. “St. Charles’ civic pride was evident and really made an impression on the judges. We hope to build on the success of last year and bring home another recognition.”

St. Charles is competing against Saratoga, CA; Santa Paula, CA; and Hopkinsville, KY in the 30,000 to 40,000 population category.

Volunteers Wanted

Because this is a community wide program, the America in Bloom Committee is seeking volunteers to help with this year’s entry. For more information or to volunteer, contact Steve Amatangelo at Steve.amatangelo@sartorius-intec.com or 630.338.7085; Diane Cullen at dianecullen@sbcglobal.net, or Maureen Lewis at mlewis@stcharlesil.gov or 630.584.4622.

Short on Time But Still Want to Contribute?

The America in Bloom volunteers have started a GoFundMe page to help raise $2,300 by July 4th to support expenses related to the judges’ tour. More atwww.gofundme.com/STCHARLES-AIB2016

St. Charles’ America in Bloom Committee

Maureen Lewis, Ward 5 Alderman; Diane Cullen, resident; Steve Amatangelo, resident; Steve Martin, First State Bank; Barbara Campbell, resident; John Thornhill, resident; Frank Esposito, resident; Nona Koivula, resident; Chuck Parr, Resident; Holly Cabel, St. Charles Park District; Pam Otto, St. Charles Park District ; Chris Adesso, City of St. Charles; Isabel Soderlind, City of St. Charles; and Lynne Schwartz, Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

Check the City website often for the latest updates at www.stcharlesil.gov/about/america-in-bloom. More about the America in Bloom national program at www.americainbloom.org.