On July 25, 2018, two judges from Saskatoon, Bonita Lundberg and Kathie Mickelson, came for a tour of the city on behalf of Communities in Bloom.

Kathie told us, “Our first impression of Estevan both of us felt that it's a very attractive, tidy community when we drove in; Bonita came through Stoughton, and I came down through Weyburn; as you came in it was very tidy. We are very impressed, and we've been increasingly impressed throughout the day as we've toured around with Shannon and Rod. It's been a really good day."

Kathie has been a judge for six years and has traveled to many places in the southeast, and will be going to Weyburn as well this year. She has had a great time in the southeast; "everywhere you go there is always some really neat things to see, and the people you meet; they are so proud of their community, and they're showing you all sorts of neat things; you can't help but enjoy it."

Kathie suggested, "they [the City of Estevan] have a lot of great ideas that are already in progress but setting up communities in bloom committee with volunteers would help the community.”

Similarily, Bonita has been judging for fifteen years and has been across Canada with Communities in Bloom.

"Estevan totally impressed me as I drove in, I was blown away from the tidiness, that's not seen a lot in Saskatchewan. That’s the mark of a town that has pride." 

She mentioned that as you drive through a town or city, you can see which communities are a part of Community in Blooming and who isn't; it's the pride and it's how they do their entrances. She added that Estevan could improve on the floral design and with the help of community volunteers the city can grow.

Bonita and Kathie stated, "Communities in Bloom isn't about growing flowers; it's about growing communities."