Through BLOOMS program, Main Street continues tradition of beautifying downtown Tomahawk

TOMAHAWK – For years, flowers have been placed throughout downtown Tomahawk in the summer and fall, and a new initiative from Tomahawk Main Street Inc. aims to keep that tradition as vibrant as the flowers themselves. 

Although the recently launched BLOOMS program – which stands for “Beautifying Landscapes on our Main Street” – is new, the roots of its mission run deep in the Tomahawk community.

Main Street Executive Director Jennifer Turkiewicz explained that the organization coordinated a foster flower program in the downtown area for a number of years, and prior to that, the Downtown Business Council and the Tomahawk Area Gardeners each maintained plants along W. Wisconsin Ave.

Through BLOOMS, Turkiewicz said, Main Street has revamped the vision and focus of those original efforts.

Main Street collaborates with Cerny’s Greenhouse and the City of Tomahawk to maintain the vivid array of flowers that can be found along both sides of W. Wisconsin Ave. The organization purchases all of the plants from Cerny’s, while city employees help make sure the watering cart remains in good shape.

Volunteers are also essential to keeping downtown Tomahawk looking radiant.

“We have an amazing group of volunteers who donate their time to water and weed all the flower wells in the downtown and surrounding blocks,” Turkiewicz stated.

BLOOMS’s first fundraising effort is now underway. The goal is to collect $10,000 this year, which will go towards purchasing flowers for this summer and fall, as well as fertilizer and additional tools needed to maintain the flower beds throughout the downtown area.

Turkiewicz noted that additional community fundraisers will be rolled out through the BLOOMS program.

“These will include our streetscape updates, a monarch butterfly sanctuary garden and additional historic markers for our downtown,” she stated.

There are several ways for the community to help support BLOOMS.

Turkiewicz said individuals interested in donating their time to help with watering and weeding can contact the Main Street office.

Financial sponsorship opportunities are also available, Turkiewicz added.

“Any assistance folks are able to give is greatly appreciated, and it goes a long way to keep our downtown and community looking warm, inviting and vibrant,” Turkiewicz stated.

To make a financial contribution to the BLOOMS program, visit www.tinyurl.com/fxp8trwc.

To learn more about Main Street and the BLOOMS program, stop by the Main Street office at 223 W. Wisconsin Ave.; contact Main Street at 715-453-1090; or check out the organization’s website (www.tomahawkmainstreet.org/) and Facebook and Instagram pages.