KING CITY — King City in Bloom members Laurie Slaten and Phoebe Cheney recently received the special accolades given to the city last month at the 2017 America in Bloom National Awards Program, during which the community was recognized for its heritage preservation and received the “Most Environmentally-Friendly Landscaped Practices” award.
“These awards are for the entire community — city, businesses and residents,” Cheney said.
King City earned a 3-bloom rating out of a possible five blooms from the America in Bloom judges, who visited the area in June to evaluate the community’s efforts in beautifying the city. The city’s two awards were announced at the nonprofit’s annual awards banquet in Holliston, Mass., on Oct. 7.
This was King City’s first time participating in the national contest — and won’t be its last.
“We’ve already signed up for next year,” Slaten said.
The local group of volunteers is continuing to improve the landscape and appearance of the city, with the community’s help, in preparation for next year’s awards program.
King City in Bloom recently put up 40 new fall banners on light poles downtown and will be stringing lights in nearby olive trees for the holidays. The group also provided a set of lights to businesses in the first three blocks of downtown to decorate doors and windows.
The festive lights will be ready in time for the 19th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m., hosted by King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. The parade starts at Mildred Avenue and continues along Broadway Street, ending downtown at the Town Square with Santa.
Also beginning Friday, King City in Bloom members will distribute Christmas door hangers at residences in recognition of their holiday decorations. The group currently passes out non-holiday door hangers to homes that have exceptionally clean, attractive or improved yards.
In addition, King City in Bloom is in the midst of installing two new flowerbeds with a seating wall in front of City Hall on South Vanderhurst Avenue. The project includes a new elevated sign for City Hall, which will be installed at a later date.
