Several members of the Annapolis City Council and MainStreets Annapolis Partnership (MAP) President Steve Samaras celebrated the launch of Annapolis in Bloom program on Tuesday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the foot of Main Street.
Now in its 17th year, the downtown flower program remains the signature beautification project, bringing 136 flowering baskets and 50 potted plants to the downtown business and shopping districts.
MAP, the City of Annapolis, Homestead Gardens, and more than a dozen major donors are working together to beautify the Annapolis business districts during the spring, summer and fall of 2015. According to MAP President Steve Samaras the program is a public/private partnership. “The City “seeds” the program with a $20,000 investment and our business community, cultural institutions and residents match those funds plus to beautify the downtown streets,” Samaras said.
To date, MainStreets Annapolis Partnership has secured more than $12,500 in donations and pledges with gifts ranging from $25 to $2500.
This year the Annapolis in Bloom program is expanding beyond Main Street and the first block Inner West Street to include Maryland Avenue and the Inner West Street corridor, including the Arts & Entertainment District.
MainStreets Annapolis Partnership and the City of Annapolis recognize major donors, as “Blooming Heroes.” These blooming heroes are local businesses and organizations contributing $1,000 or more to the project. 2015 “Blooming Hero” Honorees recognized today include:
- Annapolis Business Association (ABA)
- Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau
- Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs
- Joe Budge
- Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Harbor Grill
- Historic Annapolis
- Homestead Gardens
- Marriott
- Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts
- Rams Head
- Watermark Cruises
- Zachary’s Jewelers
The Annapolis in Bloom fundraising drive is now in full swing, and MAP invites residents and businesses to make a tax-deductible donation to “Fund a Flower, Build a Basket, or Plant a Pot” by donating to Annapolis in Bloom online at http://mainstreetsannapolis.org/news-2/annapolis-in-bloom/ or www.mainstreetsannapolis.org. Businesses and residents may also mail a check to Annapolis in Bloom c/o MainStreets Annapolis Partnership, 3 Church Circle, Box 210, Annapolis MD 21401.
“We are happy to support this program and the ongoing maintenance of the plants throughout the 2015 seasons,” said Brian Riddle of Homestead Gardens. We’re so glad to help our community enjoy these plantings which this year we’ve extended out West Street and over to Maryland Avenue.
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