It is hard not to notice the beautiful blooming flowers throughout McCall during the summer. The stunning pinks, purples, yellows, reds, and greens take center stage along the streets and in front of our local businesses. What you may not know is that many of these displays are part of the “McCall in Bloom” contest sponsored by the McCall Improvement Committee.
McCall in Bloom started in 2010 as part of the national contest, America in Bloom. In addition to local businesses and residents competing in this fun, friendly beautification contest, McCall also competes nationally against other small towns throughout the country. Each summer, a team of experienced judges from America in Bloom visit McCall for three days and evaluate the town on floral displays, turf and landscaping, urban forestry, environmental efforts, historic preservation and overall impression. Since our start in 2010, McCall has won four major awards including:
- 2011 Overall Environmental Awareness Winner
- 2012 Outstanding Community Under 3,500 population
- 2014 Outstanding Community Under 3,500 population
- 2014 Induction in the America in Bloom Circle of Champions
As a local business or resident, the McCall in Bloom program encourages everyone to “spruce up” the town through cleanup efforts and flower plantings. Over 100 businesses, residents, and non-profit groups have been involved in the program. Participants in McCall in Bloom can enter as a Contestant (and be judged by a panel of community volunteers) or as a Partner (supporting community beautification without entering the judging competition). Contestants can enter into six categories:
- Large Commercial
- Small Commercial
- Residential
- Non-Profit
- Residential Edibles (new in 2016)
- Commercial Edibles (new in 2016)
Winners of the local McCall in Bloom competition are awarded the coveted “Golden Gnome.” This year, awards will be announced at a ceremony on August 15th, but the public can take an unprecedented sneak peek at some of the stunning residential gardens during the first ever Secret Garden Tour on Saturday, August 13th.
Secret Garden Tour – Saturday, August 13th
Six, Private Estate Gardens will be open for ticket holders to explore. Three gardens will be open from 10am-12:30pm and the second set of three will be open from 1:30pm-4:00pm.
Tickets are $25 each and can be pre-ordered by calling 208-880-2122 or purchased August 12th in the Bistro 45 Courtyard from 6:00pm-7:30pm or August 13th from 8:00am-10:00am.
Gardens are at private residences and may not be ADA accessible. No bathroom facilities at the gardens. Wear comfortable walking shoes!
Proceeds benefit the McCall Improvement Committee which provides funding for community improvement projects around McCall.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on the competition, visit the McCall in Bloom Facebook page.
