Communities participate with other communities in their population category within their province.

Provincial judges evaluate the communities on the six program criteria and award a bloom rating from 1 to 5 blooms (5 being the highest ranking) at a provincial awards ceremony in the fall, where communities receive a certificate with their bloom rating.

Up to two communities in each province will be invited to participate in the following year’s national edition.

Any community is allowed to participate in a non-competitive category either to learn about the program or, if they are past provincial participants or national finalists, to maintain their rating from the previous year.