Seeking to be “the most beautiful town in the world,” Stettler welcomes Communities in Bloom judges this Friday.
“A blend of rain and heat helps to make our town look beautiful, and I see many people cleaning up their yards, so Stettler should be in fine shape,” said Rob Spencer, who chairs Heartland Beautification Committee under the Town of Stettler.
Steve Preston of Brampton, Ont., and Evelyn Alemanni of Escondido, Calif., plan to tour the town with local officials.
Concluding the day, the beautification committee will present four awards to local recipients, including the beautification champion who contributes to the beauty of the town.
Excellence in recycling awards are also be presented for the first time. A citizen, non-profit group and business will be honoured for their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.
“A lot of the committee’s role is to advocate the three Rs and encourage and recognize these efforts,” Spencer said.
“We had seven nominated over the three categories and we hope to keep growing over the years.”
On the international stage last year for the first time in Communities in Bloom, Stettler earned five blooms and a rounded average score of 84 per cent.
Last year, Stettler won the national outstanding achievement for landscaping and earned special mention for its network of walking paths.
Communities are judged for tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, turf and groundcovers, fl oral displays and community involvement.
Judges will embark on the tour with committee and town officials at 9 a.m., with lunch at the Stettler Town and Country Museum, and judges’ dinner at the Stettler Recreation Centre.
Awards will also be presented to winners for their part to help beautify the town.
Stettler is up against:
Jasper.
Fogo, N.L.
Antigonish, N.S.
Lakeside Chatauqua in Lakeside, Ohio.
Stanghow, Redcar and Cleveland, United Kingdom.
Tenby Town, Pembrokshire, UK.
Village of Abbeyshrule, Lonford, Ireland.
Winners will be announced Oct. 26 in Ottawa at the CIB symposium and awards night.
For more information, phone Spencer, other committee members or the town office at 403-742-8305.