TESTIMONIAL:

"While on a 3-week vacation of the northwest this summer with my family, we read about the tour in Horticultural Digest. Our timing was perfect, and we were able to attend the 2005 tour. It was wonderful to see the gardens of Bainbridge. Being an avid gardener in Southern California, I loved experiencing such different types of gardens.

It was one of the highlights of our vacation. I have the poster framed in my office at work. I've attached a picture from one of the inspirational gardens.

Thanks for putting on such a great event...keep up the good work!"

-- Sheryl & Mark Bennett, Escondido, CA

"The superior efficiency of the bus service this year combined with the humorous history stories told by the bus docents were simply fabulous. The bus docents so entertained and impressed our out-of-town guests that they asked for a special trip to the bookstore to buy Bainbridge history books to take home with them."

--Annette, Bainbridge Island

"Hello, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the tour was this year. As you recall, I was critical of the transportation portion in 2004. This year you did an excellent job -- the vendors and transportation hub at the high school all worked to enhance the tour. My friends and I look forward to 2006. Thank you."

--Martha

This came in on July 20, 2005, just 9 days after the event:

"Dear BIAHC, We are lining up lodging for next year's 2006 Bainbridge in Bloom and would like to confirm the dates as soon as possible. Could you let us know which weekend it will be in July 2006 and when we can get tickets? Thank You."

-- Kathyrn, Willmore, WA

"Congrats on a hugely successful event!"

--Cathy, Bainbridge Island

"What a wonderful idea to include restaurant discounts with the garden tour tickets! We put the special offers to good use, dining at a new Winslow restaurant, then strolling through town afterwards with our visitors, window shopping and enjoying the evening. It was a perfect cap for a lovely day of visiting the inspiring and gorgeous Island gardens."

--Kristina, Bainbridge

"The garden tour was spectacular--so impressive with all the many parts and elements tied together beautifully. I loved the touch of the volunteers on the buses talking about the island's features. Bainbridge certainly is gorgeous!"

--Pat, Olympia, WA

"I loved that both the food and market place (Art Fair) vendors were local. That made it really special and something you'd want to return next year for because you weren't likely to find them elsewhere. I loved the shuttle guides giving a "tour" spiel as we drove."

--Rena, out of town ticket holder

"All the hosts were great and I learned new stuff about Island history and its pioneers. Also the live musicians were wonderfully talented and so young. I was truly impressed. Compared to last year the transportation system was much better; less waiting, more seats at the bus stops, and to have the access bus to shuttle some of us creaking oldies to the first garden was nice. It was great to have the speakers and venues at the high school, too."

--Lilly, Bainbridge Island

"I have been telling everyone here at Kitsap Transit how enjoyable it was to work the event this year."

--from a Customer Service employee at Kitsap Transit who worked the Bloom all weekend

"People seemed to be having a great time, and many, many people stopped by our display area, asked questions, watched water bugs eat each other, learned the difference between frogs-to-be and tadpoles destined to wind up as salamanders, etc."

--Watershed Council Member

"It truly was the best organized tour I've ever attended, and I think I've been going for about 8 years!"

--Marci, Bainbridge Island

"I thoroughly enjoyed the entire weekend. The docents were a delight,the participants in the tour were friendly and interested and a joy to visit with. The atmosphere was like a weekend party and again it was a pleasure and honor to be asked to participate."

"The Tour was a smashing success. We did enjoy meeting many people here in our garden and hearing their comments. We got around to the other gardens on Sunday and enjoyed them also as well as the garden owners. Thanks for your great coordination and attention to detail we thought it came off exceptionally well. The bus docents were informative, knowledgeable, and with fun humor. All the passengers enjoyed the running comments."

--from one of the Garden Owners