One of Courtenay’s longest-running community traditions is set to bloom again later this month.

The annual Mile of Flowers plant-in takes place Tuesday, May 26th, with volunteers invited to help fill the garden beds along Cliffe Avenue with colourful summer flowers.

The community planting event runs from 5 until about 7 p.m., covering both sides of Cliffe Avenue from 8th to 21st Streets.

No gardening experience is needed.

Residents are encouraged to simply choose an open spot and start planting, with participants asked to bring garden gloves, a trowel, and drinking water.

Organizers say between 200 and 500 volunteers are typically needed, and youth groups are especially encouraged to take part.

A free barbecue will also be offered at Standard Park, at Cliffe Avenue and 14th Street, courtesy of Courtenay Rotary and the City of Courtenay.

The Mile of Flowers has been a Comox Valley tradition since 1967, when Kathleen Kirk launched the project to mark Canada’s centennial by planting nearly 8-thousand seedlings as a welcome to visitors.

Since then, the annual event has grown into a major community effort, with tens of thousands of flowers planted each year along one of Courtenay’s busiest streets.

The City says the project not only helps beautify the community but has also become more water-efficient over time through the use of compost, mulch, drip irrigation, and drought-tolerant plants.

For details, visit City of Courtenay.