Communities across Canada are again participating in Communities in Bloom — a national program encouraging civic pride through beautification, environmental efforts, and community involvement. Each summer, judges evaluate participating communities and award bronze, silver, or gold ratings, along with a score of one to five Blooms — the higher the number, the greater the community's achievements in beautification and sustainability.
This summer marks a unique milestone for the City of Portage la Prairie. Cathie McFarlane, chairperson for Communities in Bloom Portage, says the program has approved a joint application between Portage and Southport, a first-of-its-kind move in Canada.
"This year, the Manitoba organization allowed us to partner up with Southport," notes McFarlane. "We do a lot of things with Southport locally, and it seemed to be a good fit that we would partner on our application, which means that when the judges visit, they will be going to Southport, to look at what's happening there as well as Portage."
Though floral displays are a core part of Communities in Bloom, the program takes a broader view of what makes a community beautiful.
"It's a holistic approach to the community, not just about flowers. Judges also assess heritage preservation, cleanliness, and overall maintenance," McFarlane explains.
Additionally, Communities in Bloom emphasizes the importance of finding meaningful ways to engage the community in local initiatives. Efforts in Portage include projects that bring seniors, youth, and adults together through volunteer-driven beautification activities. These initiatives support the community's aesthetic and help create stronger civic pride.
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"If we didn’t have that willing volunteer base, we probably wouldn't have a lot of the things we do because the city can only do so much. I also think people take more pride in their community when they're a part of the solution," she adds.
That involvement now extends into schools, where students are getting hands-on experience with gardening and sustainability projects.
"One of our members, Yvette Cuthbert, is talking to the school division about what they could do on some of their school properties to plant some sunflowers. It's exciting for them to see things grow."
As part of this year’s Edible Gardens theme, Portage and Southport encourage residents to plant sunflowers — a symbol of food sustainability, pollination support, and solidarity with Ukraine.
With increased awareness around global trade and national identity, McFarlane notes that patriotism has grown recently.
"One of the positive benefits is a renewed sense of patriotism. We've seen more Canadian flags out there and people saying they are proud to be Canadian. It’s a bit late for the city to try to get red and white flowers for the planters on Saskatchewan Ave., but with all the hanging baskets along Saskatchewan Ave., we thought to add a smaller flag and anchor it in the hanging basket to show our pride."
As judges prepare to visit, this year’s campaign stands as a celebration of beauty, resilience, and community, all grown from the roots of local pride and volunteer spirit.