Garden State’s Azalea Capital Still Accepting Applicants

(Hamilton, NJ)   “This year, Hamilton is proud to host what we believe will be the Nation’s first ever country-wide Azalea festival competition,� said Mayor Gilmore.  “And while we will be inviting everyone to participate in this year’s competition, we will still have a specific category where only Hamilton residents and businesses will be allowed to compete for the best Hamilton Azalea Display and best new display.�  Participation in this event is free and will not cost the Township anything, as the work will be done by the non-profit organization Friends of Sayen Gardens.  Just one day after announcing the details for America’s first ever National Azalea Festival Competition, to be held on Mother’s Day, May 13th at 9 AM at Sayen Gardens, located at the corner of Mercer Street and Hughes Drive in Hamilton, New Jersey in the County of Mercer, the phones were off the hook with vendors vying for an opportunity to participate in this year’s Festival         

    “Shortly after announcing the details for this year’s festival, we sold-out of permits for food, craft, and entertainment vendors,� said Hamilton Mayor Glen Gilmore, “and we’ve had to apologize to a number of vendors who thought they responded quickly enough after our announcement.�            

    Hamilton Township, a 90,000-plus-person Township and the 8th largest municipality in New Jersey, was recently recognized as one of only three Towns in the entire State of New Jersey to earn the distinction of “Green Town USA� – which is only given to the State’s strongest environmental leaders.  Gilmore noted that the Township has many public parks, more than 2,100 acres of designated open space land, and was recently recognized by Governor Jon Corzine as the New Jersey Azalea Capital.   

  “As New Jersey is known as ‘the Garden State,’ Hamilton is certainly the State’s Azalea Capital,� said Mayor Gilmore, “and when you come out to our festival, you’ll see why.� New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine added to Gilmore’s comments, noting that because Hamilton  "has added to the beauty of the State by planting scores of azaleas throughout its community, creating an attraction that is visited by residents from throughout the State and region, Hamilton Township is the Azalea Capital of New Jersey,� said New Jersey Governor John Corzine.  This is the reason that Hamilton is the perfect location for such a festival.  ““Since Hamilton truly is the State’s Azalea Capital,� by Governor Corzine’s Executive decree, “we felt that we should create a new category, which will open the competition to residents and businesses throughout New Jersey – as well as the entire country,� said Gilmore, who noted that the azalea is him and his mother’s favorite flower.      

    “I challenge residents and businesses from all States to compete in this year’s Festival,� said Gilmore, “and winning the prize for the best azalea display or best new azalea display in the Garden State’s Azalea Capital is a distinction that won’t soon be forgotten.�“My hope is that landscapers, florists, regular organizations and residents, especially from Hamilton, will flood their homes, gardens, and businesses with azaleas,� said Gilmore, who noted that for a business to be recognized at Sayen Gardens on Mother’s Day as the winner of the Azalea Festival contest is a tremendous marketing tool to show a commitment to Hamilton’s Township-wide beautification efforts and the best way for residents to have their garden or home the envy of the town – as well as an excellent opportunity for members of the National community to show-off their green thumbs in front of thousands of Moms on Mother’s Day. “These beautiful and resilient flowering shrubs can last hundreds of years,� said Gilmore, “and so can the recognition of being the winner of the Garden State’s “Azalea Capital� azalea competition – so let’s see which businesses and residents from Hamilton and around the country participate in this year’s contest and create a thing of beauty for all to enjoy.� 

 Gilmore noted that more than 5,000 visitors were on hand at last year’s overcast Azalea Festival, “and with better weather, I can imagine that Sayen Gardens will be the place to be in New Jersey this Mother’s Day.�    

 “Hamilton’s history is graced with beautiful azaleas in both public and private gardens,� noted Gilmore, “and since Frederick Sayen came to Hamilton in 1912 with hundreds of azaleas from around the world, planting them at what is now the marvelous Sayen Gardens, we have made the azalea among Hamilton’s and New Jersey’s most notable signatures.�             

 Gilmore noted that the award selection committee, Hamilton’s Friends of Sayen Gardens, will select the top azalea displays and will also recognize numerous honorable mentions.             

“There is no cost to participate in this event,� said Gilmore, “so there’s no reason for green thumbs to not compete this year.�  Gilmore noted that all residential and commercial displays are eligible for participation and that as soon as the azaleas start blooming, participants should call the Mayor’s Office at (609) 890-3502 to schedule an appointment with a representative from Hamilton’s Friends of Sayen Gardens.  For Hamilton residents, “As soon as your azaleas begin to bloom, call the Mayor’s Office at 609 890 3502, and we’ll send a volunteer from Hamilton’s Friends of Sayen Gardens to take photographs of your azaleas to be entered into the competition.  You do the gardening and then leave the rest to us,� said Gilmore.  Residents and businesses that live outside of Hamilton are encouraged to call the Mayor’s Office for more information about how to participate.