Communities in Bloom is celebrating another spring, and not only is the committee encouraging the community to bloom, but even they are growing.
Liz Kletzel, Communities in Bloom Committee Chair, said they incorporated a photo contest for a number of reasons.
“Part of Communities in Bloom is doing a community profile book,” Kletzel said, adding it will also get the community to take part in the event.
“We just thought that if they incorporated a photo aspect, then we get to see the community,” Kletzel said about how it benefits the judges.
Stepping up to the plate is the Barrhead Photo Club, who has offered to take the lead on the photo contest.
“They have more photo background,” Kletzel said.
The club is also responsible for taking photos of properties owners don’t feel qualified to photograph.
“The photo club has offered for those who may not have access to a better camera or that type of technology,” Kletzel said. “That helps us get the pictures we need.”
Kletzel said anyone interested in having the photo club take photos is welcome to contact her.
This year, in an effort to rope in the community, the committee has added the Bloom Photo Shoot, a photo contest for all ages.
“They (the Barrhead Photo Club) are handling coming up with the rules, they’ve handled what the themes (categories) are, they’ve handled when they want our deadline to be,” Kletzel said, adding the club has added a new point of view to the committee. “That’s great, it’s wonderful to have that aspect.”
The contest includes several categories: 16-years and over: Floral, Garden Visitors, Community and the Environment, and Youth 16-years and under: Floral, and Garden Visitors.
Anyone can participate by submitting their photos by email or in person.
Kletzel said the committee is hoping kids will get involved and submit their photos.
The contest is judged, with ribbons presented to the first, second, and third place winners in each category.
“We will display them either here in the arena or the town office, somewhere people can look at it,” Kletzel said, adding during the Make a Connection event on Sept. 4, the winners will be announced.
Kletzel said the club has also helped open the eyes of the committee to a number of possibilities.
“How we can incorporate it into our community profile book, and how we can promote it on our website, and just make it more general accessible to the community, and to promote that it’s not just about flowers, it’s about community involvement.”
“I think that will just help expand our program,” she added.
The deadline to enter is August 25, and photos can be submitted via email to the [email protected] or in person to the Barrhead Recreation Office.
Kletzel said, she is hoping this will help promote the Barrhead Photo Club.
“So they get new members,” she said.
So far, there have only been a few Communities in Bloom entries.
“We had that snowfall, and it’s only just been Mother’s Day,” Kletzel said, adding people are now out planting their gardens.
“Once they get things growing, then people tend to sign up.”
Communities in Bloom kick-off will be hosted during the Barrhead Street Festival.
For more information visit the Recreation Office, the Barrhead Public Library, or email the [email protected].
