POINT PLEASANT — After two successful years participating in the America In Bloom competition, the Point Pleasant in Bloom organization has decided to allow the community to choose the official city flower colors for 2010.

In the past two years, the colors have been selected by the Point Pleasant in Bloom Floral Committee members. In 2008, the PPIB color was purple, while the most recent PPIB colors were a combination of purple, red and yellow. The city flower colors are used for decorating the lamp post baskets, the library gardens, city parks, businesses and other landscaped places.

For 2010, the community can choose either colors of red/white/blue, pink/yellow/white or plain red. Anyone interested in voting on the 2010 colors may do so until Dec. 12 during open hours at Paint Plus, The Unique Boutique, Harris Steak House and Supple Law Office.

The criteria that America in Bloom judges includes floral displays, environmental awareness, landscaped areas, tidiness, urban forestry, heritage preservation, turf and groundcovers and community involvement. In October, PPIB was awarded special recognition in the landscaped areas category during the America In Bloom Awards Gala. In 2008, the organization received special recognition in the heritage preservation category.

According to Jerrie Howard, president of PPIB, the organization is already busy gearing up for the 2010 American in Bloom contest. However, volunteers are greatly needed.

She encouraged high school students to become involved because all of the work that they do through PPIB can go toward the schools’ community service hour requirements.

In addition, all community groups, such as scouts and 4-H, can do projects that could go toward the PPIB portfolio, which is used in the judges critique.

For more information on PPIB, call Howard at 304-675-2319.