Lakeside was a winner of top honors for the prestigious 2023 America in Bloom Program announced at the annual symposium and awards celebration this week in Spartanburg, S.C. Lakeside was the top community for the  3,500-6,000 Population Category Award.

Other communities in this population category were Brewton, Ala. and Lewisburg, W.V. Lakeside also received special recognition for its Floral Impact from Alex Pearl and Leslie Pittenger, AIB Advisors, who spent two summer days touring the Lakeside community, meeting municipal officials, residents and volunteers.

All participants were evaluated on seven criteria: Community vitality, overall impression, environmental initiatives, heritage celebration, urban forestry, landscaped areas and floral impact. America in Bloom is the only national awards program that sends specially trained advisors to personally visit participants. In addition, each participant receives a detailed written evaluation that can be used as a guide to future improvements.

“America in Bloom is helping communities of all sizes achieve their potential. Every year our participants raise the bar, and the accomplishments and progress shown by this year’s group is remarkable,” said America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle.

“These are, without a doubt, some of the best places to live, work and visit. Congratulations to Lakeside for the excellent work making your community more beautiful and vibrant.”

To date, more than 330 communities from 43 states have participated in the program and more than 22 million people have been touched by it. Registration for the 2024 program can be submitted until Feb. 28. Eligible participants include towns, cities, college and university campuses, business districts, military installations and recognized neighborhoods of large cities.