Bloomex Sponsors Calgary Dragon Boat Festival

Though the weather in Calgary has been a bit on the frosty side lately, the skies cleared for the 2015 Dragon Boat Festival at the beautiful North Glenmore Park reservoir. Bloomex was delighted to be one of this year's community sponsors for this always-fun event. 

Based on a 2000-year-old Chinese legend, Dragon Boat Racing is still very active all across Canada, with a large group of energetic participants in Calgary. One of Calgary’s premier sport festivals, the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival draws more than 1850 competitors, over 4000 spectators and an abundance of excitement and cultural experiences. It is also recognized by Dragon Boat Canada as a qualifying event for the 2016 National Club Crew Qualifiers. The Festival is geared towards creating an unforgettable experience, while the dragon boat competition illustrates camaraderie, teamwork and inspiration. Bloomex was proud to provide beautiful floral centrepieces to decorate the VIP tent at the Festival. Bloomex also provided the large presentation bouquet to be used in the awards ceremony, as well as two gourmet gift baskets. 

This year the festival hosted 54 teams of which 12 teams were from out of town, so the event was a big success. (Click for final race results.) 

Bloomex Blue Ribbon Basket

One of the highlights of the weekend was definitely the launch ceremony for the breast cancer "Sistership." The Sistership Dragon Boat Association was started in 1998 by a group of women from Calgary. Each one had experienced breast cancer and they set about forming the first dragon boat racing team in Alberta comprised of persons living with the disease. Their commitment to learn to paddle a dragon boat became a symbol of this group’s quest to rebuild the health and confidence eroded by a cancer diagnosis. Bloomex was very pleased to donate the pink carnations used in the ceremony.

Their very moving launch ceremony takes place at the docks before their race, featuring the paddlers, family and supporters to symbolize the strength and determination of women living with breast cancer. Currently, Sistership consists of two crews comprised of 60 women from Calgary and the surrounding area. Photos courtesy of Sistership organizer Joanne Lozynsky (thank you, Joanne!)

Bloomex was delighted to be part of this fun community day in beautiful Calgary! Check out the article in the Calgary Sun to read more about this year's Calgary Dragon Boat Festival and see how YOU can join a Dragon Boat team and enjoy this fun sport!

Bloomex Provides Flowers for Epilepsy Toronto VIP Event

Bloomex was delighted to be asked to provide all the flowers for recent VIP event in Toronto! Epilepsy Toronto hosted an exclusive VIP evening in downtown Toronto, to support their amazing cause. 

Hosted by NBA Basketball star Tristan Thompson and CTV News' Andria Case, this exclusive VIP soiree took place on August 13, 2015. Produced by internationally acclaimed designers, Glen Peloso & Jamie Alexander, the event was held at the exquisite Aperture Room in the heart of historic Downtown Yonge.

The evening began at 6:30 p.m. Guests were able to view the items up for auction, as well as sample the incomparable cuisine of Oliver & Bonacini. They enjoyed fun advance performances from the upcoming Toronto International BuskerFest, and were treated to a wonderful performance by Canada's own Queen of R&B, Jully Black.The sold out event was truly a magical evening and a big success for all! 

Tristan Thompson graciously agreed to be honorary chair; he founded the Amari Thompson Fund in support of his younger brother who lives with epilepsy.

Bloomex was delighted to donate and create the elegant floral centerpieces for this VIP event, as well as some beautiful bouquets to decorate the bar and buffet area, in the event’s premier colour scheme of purple, red and white. Bloomex was also pleased to donate a large gourmet gift basket full of treats to the live auction, with all proceeds going to support Epilepsy Toronto.

This event was a kick off for the very exciting 2015 edition of the Toronto International Buskerfest Festival. The Festival is now the largest epilepsy event in the world and North America's largest street performer festival! Performers from all over the world will provide the most creative and exciting entertainment for all ages, in the heart of the Downtown Yonge district from August 27- 30. 

Epilepsy Toronto is a non-profit agency that has supported people living with epilepsy for over 50 years. The agency offers free programs and services, hosts exciting events and fundraisers, and provides information to help epilepsy patients and their families manage the challenges of living well with epilepsy.  Please visit the Epilepsy Toronto website for more information on this agency and the Amari Thompson Fund. 

** Photos from Bkonthescene.com. 

Bloomex Partners with Canada Running Series

Bloomex is proud to announce a brand new partnership with Canada Running Series! We are delighted to be working with another national partner dedicated to improving fitness and community enjoyment for Canadians, as well as helping raise massive dollars for charities. 

Canada Running Series [CRS] is the nation's premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 3 in Vancouver and 1 in Montreal. It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $5 million for some 250 mostly-local charities.

 

For three decades CRS has been passionately committed to building community through running - to building a better Toronto, a better Vancouver, a better Montreal, a better Canada. Their vision has been to build complete, big-city races that welcome everyone, from Olympians to healthy-lifestyle enthusiasts to charity runners. 

CRS events are built on the twin pillars of organization and innovation, to provide outstanding, unforgettable running experiences. Driven by these commitments, CRS has grown into a turnkey, national, year-round program that offers exceptional value to all involved.

Bloomex Pretty in Pink

Bloomex is the largest florist in Canada, with 8 production centres coast to coast and a similar goal of supporting community and charity, while celebrating the meaningful occasions that mark our lives. 

"Bloomex is happy to partner with the CRS and provide beautiful medallist bouquets, fresh floral arrangements and gourmet gift baskets to enhance the race experience for all participants," says Mark Campaugh, Bloomex Director of Marketing. "We look forward to working with CRS and having fun at all the races."

“We're delighted to welcome Bloomex to the CRS community. CRS is about joy, achievement and celebration -- what better way to say this than with flowers!” -  Alan Brookes, Race Director, Canada Running Series.

 

Bloomex has been designated as the Official Florist of the CRS, and of their fall circuit marathons. These include the popular and family-friendly Oasis Zoo Run in Toronto, which

offers runners a chance to follow a scenic 5k or 10k loop through the Toronto Zoo grounds on September 12. The popular, family-friendly event also offers a “Cub Run” event & costume contest for kids.

Bloomex will also be providing the flowers and gift baskets for the always-enjoyable Vancouver Eastside 10k on September 19. This run takes runners through the historic east side of Vancouver, including parts of Gastown, Chinatown, and East Vancouver—parts of the city that are rarely closed to traffic.

And finally, Bloomex is the official florist for the prestigious Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 18. This  event is the Grand Finale and signature event of the Canada Running Series. This race attracts a large field of over 25,000 runners each year as Canada’s #1 big-city marathon. In addition to holding a prestigious IAAF Gold Label, it will also serve as host of the 2015 Canadian National Marathon Championships.

For more information on these races and those in 2016, including race entry forms, hotel information, social networking, and charity information, please visit the CRS website. 

To order flowers to cheer on or congratulate a race participant, please visit the Bloomex website.

We hope to see you at one (or all) of these amazing events!