A new season of beauty, community spirit, and national pride is upon us, as registration officially opens for the 2025 Community Gardens and Beautification Festival. Hosted by the Community Development and Citizens Engagement Division under the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, this beloved national initiative continues to unite citizens around a shared mission: to build a cleaner, greener, and more connected Antigua and Barbuda.
What began in 1951 as the Homes, Families and Gardens Festival was reintroduced in 2008 under the bold and hopeful theme, “Think Beautification for the Nation’s Health and Wealth.” Today, under its refreshed name, the Community Gardens and Beautification Festival is more than a competition—it’s a movement of empowerment, civic pride, and resilience. It’s a joyful invitation to citizens from all walks of life to nurture the land, their communities, and one another.
A Festival with Deep Roots and Fresh Growth
The Festival celebrates the power of gardening, creativity, and cultural heritage in shaping vibrant, resilient communities. Through hands-on planting, historical storytelling, and poetic expression, participants uplift their neighborhoods while deepening their connection to the land and their collective history.
This year’s competition features three major components: The Garden Competition, The Poetry and Research Competition, and the Poetry in Motion, a vibrant new category designed for ages 7–10, 11–15, and 16–20, encouraging youth to share their voice through performance poetry.
Growing Knowledge: Free Workshops for All
To empower participants with practical skills and environmental wisdom, the Festival offers free educational workshops throughout May. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced gardener, these sessions provide essential tools for sustainable and rewarding cultivation.
Workshop Schedule:
•May 13 – Pest Control, Location: Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Center | Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
•May 15 – Horticulture: Budding and Grafting, Location: Department of Environment | Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
•May 20 – Backyard Gardening, Location: Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Center | Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
•May 21 – Hydroponics, Location: Indies Green | Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
Join the Community Gardens and Beautification Festival!
These engaging sessions explore real-world topics like food sustainability, pest control, and modern growing techniques—planting both crops and confidence in every
participant.
Register Today – Help Your Community Bloom
Be part of a stronger, healthier, and more beautiful Antigua and Barbuda.
To register or learn more contact:
● Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation: (268) 562-9733
● Festival Coordinator Ms. Tanya Williams: (268) 774-2064
● Director Ms. Dale O’Brien: (268) 464-5142
● Email: communitydevelopment@ab.gov.ag
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this Festival invites you to grow with us—planting beauty, unity, and national pride.
