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Saturday is the scheduled date for the Bisbee Bloomers’ 8th Annual Garden Tour. Eleven gardens located at some of the highest elevations in Old Bisbee will be featured this year.
The garden tour, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be a self-guided, walking tour in two areas of Old Bisbee:
The Top of the Canyon features nine gardens along West Boulevard, Tombstone Canyon and Wood Canyon.
The Downtown Area highlights two additional gardens, one located across from Central School and one above OK Street. There is adequate parking at various sites along the tour. Parking locations are designated on the garden tour map.
  
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The gardens this year showcase the various challenges of high desert gardening in a mile-high elevation.
You’ll see many eclectic garden styles and several unique variations of ponds and water harvesting systems.
“Bisbee gardens are always a pleasant surprise to visitors on the tour who more often than not see Bisbee from the road and have no idea there are so many beautiful gardens tucked away from the beaten path,” noted Bisbee Bloomers’ chairperson Kay Lynn Cummins.
On site, volunteer docents will be posted at each garden to answer visitor questions.
The garden tour is a wonderful way to spend the day and get out of the lower desert heat for the weekend. Bisbee features its gardens this time of year because the monsoons have cooled temperatures down and greened up the gardens and surrounding mountains.
Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the Bisbee Visitor Center at 2 Copper Queen Plaza in the Convention Center in Downtown Bisbee or on the day of the tour in front of the Mining and Historical Museum in Copper Queen Plaza Park.
Again this year, the Bisbee Art’s Commission will sponsor a “Plein Air” painting competition in conjunction with the garden tour. Artists from all over will be painting in various gardens and all around Bisbee.
Their art work will be displayed along Main Street in Downtown Bisbee from 4 to 5 p.m. that evening for judging and will available for sale via silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. Local musicians will also be performing in some of the featured gardens.
If You Go:
What: 8th Annual Bisbee Bloomers’ Garden Tour and “Plein Air” competition.
When: Saturday — Garden tour and “Plein Air” painting is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Viewing of artwork, judging and bidding for artwork takes place in downtown Bisbee from 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: Bisbee is located just off Highway 80. Take the Old Bisbee exit off Highway 80 and turn left at the first sign, going through town. Head two blocks to the Bisbee Visitor’s Center at 2 Copper Queen Plaza.
Cost: $10. Tickets are available at the Bisbee Visitor’s Center, 2 Copper Queen Plaza or on the day of the tour in front of the Mining and Historical Museum in the Copper Queen Plaza Park.
Note: This is a walking tour with nine gardens featured at the top of the Canyon and two additional gardens in downtown Old Bisbee. No buses or shuttles will be provided. Wear comfortable shoes, hats and sunscreen and take your time along the route. You’ll have plenty of time to see all the gardens. Remember, you’ll be a mile high on hilly roads, so take it easy.
Information: Additional details are available at www.discoverbisbee.com or by calling 432-3554 or (866) 224-7233 (toll-free).
Plein Air Competition
The Bisbee Arts Commission 10th Annual Plein Air Competition Weekend will be held Friday and Saturday.
More than $1,700 in cash prizes will be awarded: $500 Grand Prize — Purchase Award; $500 Millicent Kasun — City Collection; $300 First Prize — Bisbee Foundation; $200 Second Prize — Bisbee Foundation; $100 Third Prize — Rio Verde Realty.
Schedule of Events:
• Friday: Registration, map of gardens and stamping of canvas from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bisbee Visitor Center at 2 Copper Queen Plaza in Old Bisbee. Artists can begin painting after canvases are stamped.
Artists may paint in the gardens on the tour or anywhere in the City of Bisbee. A reception for artists and Garden Tour volunteers and garden owners only will be at the Gardens at Mile High Ranch, 901 Tombstone Canyon at 7 p.m. on Friday.
• Saturday: Registration and canvas stamping continues at the Visitor Center from 7 a.m. to noon. The Garden Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From 4 to 5 p.m. artists set up paintings to be judged and to sell on Main Street (the street will be closed from the Post Office to Subway Street). Artists must bring their own easels or stands for display of their work.
At 5 p.m. the judging begins. Artists are invited to visit the galleries and relax during the judging, giving judges privacy to do their work. Monitors will oversee the security of the paintings at this time.
From 4 to 6 p.m. a Gallery Walk of Galleries on Main Street will be open and serving refreshments. A stage will be set up in front of Atalanta’s and the local band “Cool Jazz” with vocalist Nancy Weaver and Duane Reilley on saxophone, clarinet and flute will provide live music to add to the festivities.
From 4 to 7 p.m. Paintings can be viewed and bids for the Peoples Choice Award can be made by the public. Bidding closes at 6:30 p.m.
Galleries participating in the Gallery Walk and receptions include: Verano Fine Art Gallery, 22 Main St.; SAM•POE Gallery, 24 Main St.; Tang Gallery, 32 Main St.; Twist, 51 Main St.; 55 Main Gallery, 55 Main St.; Exquisite Designs, 76 Main St.; Panterra Gallery, 54 Brewery Ave.; and Bizzart Gallery, 41 Brewery Ave.
At 6 p.m. awards presented at the band stand on Main Street.
In case of rain artists will present their work in galleries on Main Street and at the library.
Young Artist Plein Air Competition
Artists ages 8 to 18 are invited to participate in a separate painting competition held at the same time. There will be cash prizes donated by Bisbee Foundation, totaling $200. There is no entry fee in this category and the competition is open on Saturday only. Young artists are asked to meet at the Copper Queen Library in Old Bisbee at 10 a.m. to register, get more information and pick up supplies.
Youth Competition: $200 in Youth Prizes in each age category: Age 8-13; Age 14-18 — $50 for first; $30 for second; and $20 for third. Youth prizes are donated by Bisbee Foundation.
Additional details are available at www.discoverbisbee.com.
