Kalamazoo in Bloom holds an orientation each year to prepare volunteers for annual planting days.
2012 Orientation date TBD
Upcoming Events
Join us at Wedel's Spring Expo on March 23 and March 24. We will have a kids activity at our table - learn how to plant flowers - and we will offer a workshop titled, "Adding the Wow Factor to Your Containers."
Past Events
The Great Pumpkin Soiree was held on November 2 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. This pumpkin tasting competition and silent auction fundraiser - first of its kind for Kalamazoo in Bloom - helped us raise over $4,200 which will go towards the purchase of flowers that will be planted across Kalamazoo County next spring.
The chef/restaurant who took home both the People's Choice and overall winner awards was Katie Wittenberg of Bravo. Her puff pastry filled with pumpkin mouse and drizzled with maple glaze and bacon pieces won over the majority of taste buds.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, contributors and competing participants:
Extreme Power Equipment IHS Distributing Gordon Water Martin & Associates Environmental The Ample Pantry The Beacon Club Bold Bravo! The Cheese Lady Discover Kalamazoo Forever Framing The Gilmore Harding’s Heilman’s Nuts & Confections I’ve Got Your Purse Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Kalamazoo Cooks Culinary Programs Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Kalamazoo Nature Center Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Millennium Restaurant Group Photo Impact Photography Sweetwater’s Tiffany’s Wine & Spirit Shoppe Special thanks to Gene Rhodes, better known as Gene the Pumpkin Man, and Charlie Brown
Tomato Taste-Off
Kalamazoo in Bloom, in partnership with MSU Extension/Master Gardener Program and the Kalamazoo Garden Council, held the Tomato Taste-Off event at the Nazareth Complex on August 27. Tomatoes of all varieties grown in local backyards were entered in a tasting competition and judged by event attendees. Winners in four tomato categories were chosen.
Cherry tomato First — Terry Kott for variety Anna Aasa Second — Jeff Fleming for variety Chocolate Pear Third — Linda Whitlock for variety Sun Sugar Roma or paste tomato First — Diana Schneider for variety Juliettes Second (tie) — Jeff Fleming for variety Amish Paste and Bob Poel for variety Juliette roma/cherry Third — David Fening for variety Crandarero Heirloom tomato First, second and third — Jeff Fleming for varieties Black Krim, Lemmony and Mayo’s Delight, in that order Slicer tomato First and third — Barb Chaddock for varieties Yellow Slicer and Big Mama, in that order Second — Gail William for variety Yellow Jubilee