City of Brantford announces 2026 Brantford is Bloomin' Garden Award Winners

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford and the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford (NAB) are pleased to announce the 2026 Brantford is Bloomin’ Garden Award Winners as part of the City’s Communities in Bloom campaign.

On Saturday, August 8, Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, NAB Chair Chad Martin, NAB Vice-Chair Elizabeth Goose, and Social Media Coordinator Ruby Streicher presented Max Byerlay with the 2026 Brantford is Bloomin' Garden Champion Award during their stop on the Communities in Bloom judges’ tour. Second place was awarded to Leigh-Ann, Steve, and Ben McGinnis, and third place was awarded to Sue Atkinson.

This year's campaign attracted more than 160 garden photo submissions and over 20 gardens were pinned on the interactive map at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CommunitiesInBloom. Together, residents created a virtual garden tour that highlighted the remarkable talent, dedication, and spirit of our community.

"Whether through colourful flower beds, thriving pollinator gardens, creative landscaping, or meticulously maintained outdoor spaces, participants demonstrated the extraordinary impact that residents can have on the appearance and spirit of our city," said Chad Martin, Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford Chair. "The Brantford is Bloomin' Garden Awards celebrate not only beautiful gardens, but also the neighbourhood pride and passion that helps Brantford bloom."

Several Neighbourhood Associations played a vital role in supporting this year's initiative by hosting local beautification contests and encouraging residents to participate. The City extends its sincere appreciation to Brantford Station, Downtown Central, Eagle Place, Grandwoodlands, Holmedale, Seneca and West Brant Neighbourhood Associations for their ongoing commitment to making Brantford a greener and more beautiful city, and to Walter's Greenhouse, Fiori Garden Centre and Nicol Florist for their generous support of the 2026 Brantford is Bloomin' Garden Awards.

The Brantford is Bloomin' campaign launched as the City prepared to compete in the 2026 Communities in Bloom National Competition, after earning a prestigious five-out-of-five Blooms at the 2025 Provincial Competition. The winners of the 2026 Communities in Bloom competition will be announced during the National Symposium & Awards Ceremony scheduled for October 2026.

Residents are invited to continue exploring the incredible garden displays shared through the initiative by visiting the online Garden Gallery and interactive Garden Map at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CommunitiesInBloom.

About Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification through community involvement and an annual national program that challenges communities to enhance green spaces. To learn more, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca. 

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Media Contact:
City of Brantford Communications and Community Engagement
519-759-4150 | communications@brantford.ca