The Communities in Bloom judges have come and gone, and now it's a waiting game to see how Brampton faired in the competition.

The national awards will be announced at the annual symposium, this year in Lethbridge, Alberta Sept. 19 and 20.

Brampton has always received full marks, and won the national title in 2006, but this year organizers were looking for that little extra something special that would push things over the edge and give Brampton the international title.

Brampton is competing against Toronto this year in the international competition, as well as Aberdeen, Scotland; Prince George, British Columbia; Stockton-on-Tees, England and Strathcona, Alberta.

The community pride competition isn't just about flowers. The judges look at eight criteria: floral displays, turf and groundcover, environmental awareness, community involvement, tidiness, landscaped areas, natural and cultural heritage conservation, and tree and urban forest management. All of it is evaluated with an eye to the achievements and involvement of citizens, businesses, organizations, institutions and the municipal government, and a look at how they all work together.

The judges toured Brampton Thursday and Friday, and residents enjoyed free food and entertainment at a community event in Chinguacousy Park Thursday evening.

The judges got a bird's-eye view of the city in a helicopter, paid for by Mattamy Development. Holiday Inn Select and the Mandarin Restaurant also contributed to the city's presentation.

The tour route included stops at Peel Heritage Complex, Main Street Cemetery, Peel Village, Charles Watson Park, Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre, Rose Theatre, Brampton Soccer Centre Toronto Ontario Temple, Region of Peel Recycling Centre, and Wellspring Cancer Support Centre.

As part of the Communities in Bloom event this year, residents can enter a contest to win a Canada Blooms prize package for 2009. VIA Rail is offering a round-trip ticket for two in first class to Canada Blooms 2009 (March 18 to 22), two nights accommodation for two at Toronto's Delta Chelsea hotel, two tickets to the flower show, two Total Tower tickets to the CN Tower, and dinner for two in the 360 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower. To enter, visit www.brampton.ca/cib.

VIA is also offering a special Garden Route ticket from now until Sept. 7, a deal that will take enthusiasts to any of Canada's best-known public gardens.

And Brampton residents can visit the CN Tower at a discounted rate through to the end of the year, a thank-you to the city for being one of several municipalities that planted a garden at the base of the tower this year.