GALLIPOLIS — The sun is shining, birds are chirping and the Gallipolis In Bloom committee is gearing up for the 2010 America In Bloom competition, all sure signs that Spring is upon us.

“Many Hands, Many Flowers, One Community” was chosen by the committee as the 2010 theme. The colors this year will be pink and lavender or lilac.

Now the committee needs help, both in manpower and funding, to make the plans for the competition a reality.

The flowers for the baskets, floral displays in the park, pots on the river and corners of the park cost the non-profit organization over $4,000. This does not include the cost of watering the displays every day during the summer, nor does it represent the hours of time put in by volunteers.

There are four levels of sponsorship available:

• Blooms — $1,000, sponsor’s name will appear during judge’s reception and planting day.

• Buds — $500, sponsor’s name will appear on water truck and tee-shirts.

• Sprouts — $250, sponsor’s name will appear on a Yard of the Week, Business of Week or Beautification of the Week sign.

• Seedlings — $1 to $249, sponsors will be shown as supporters.

Upcoming events include:

• April 22 — Earth Day — GIB monthly meeting at 5:15 p.m. at Fortification Hill shelter house. There will be a potluck dinner and a guided tour of Mound Hill cemetery by Ed Waggoner. A rain date of April 29 was also set.

• May 1 — Planting Day in the city — Meet at 10 a.m. in the city park at the clock. A tree in honor of Arbor Day will be planted at 1 p.m. in the park.

• May 15 — From 8 a.m. to noon, Plant Exchange at Bob Evans Farms in Rio Grande.

For information on volunteering contact Beverly Dunkle at 441-6015 or Karen Smith at 446-1998. Donations can be made to Gallipolis in Bloom, c/o Diana Parks, Ohio Valley Bank, P.O. Box 240, Gallipolis, OH 45631.