Bay Bulls once again celebrated local green thumbs with the second annual Golden Tulip Awards. Council asked folks to nominate friends and neighbours in one of three categories — Best Residential Property, Best Beginner Property, and Best Vegetable Garden. Following the nomination deadline on July 19, town representatives judged the properties over a number of days. Winners, who were presented with a plaque from the Town, were announced on July 28.
The event was first held in 2022 to celebrate the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s declaration of 2022 as “The Year of the Garden,” but Town Manager Ashley Wakeham said the event went over so well that council decided to turn it into an annual event. “Council decided it would be a good bit of fun and encourage some healthy competition between neighbours,” said Wakeham. “We got a really good response the first couple of years and only feel that it will continue to grow.” Wakeham said that not only is getting out in the garden good for people, especially after so many years cooped up due to the pandemic, but that good gardening creates healthy habitats for animal life and helps beautify the town all in one go. The Town receives about 15 nominations a year.
