Rain on Main, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction presented by Carmel Utilities, Carmel Department of Storm Water Management and the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, kicks off this Friday, August 13, with a display of twenty decorated barrels in the Carmel Arts & Design District. The barrels will remain along Main Street through the following week until they are relocated to the Carmel Farmers Market.

The barrel designs will be judged opening weekend by an independent panel and the first, second and third place artists will receive cash prizes. There will also be a “People’s Choice” award based on individual barrel “likes” on the Rain on Main Facebook pagebeginning noon, Friday, August 13 until noon, Friday, August 20.

On Saturday, August 21, the barrels make their way to the Carmel Farmers Market before finding new homes with the highest bidders in the online silent auction. Individuals can register for the auction by texting RAIN to 88793 or visiting rainonmain.com. The auction begins at noon on August 13 and concludes at 11 a.m. at the market. Net proceeds from the auction will fund water education signage in the Carmel Clay Parks, some of which have been installed in Founders Park located at 116th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway.  

Rain on Main is possible due to sponsorship by Greenscape Geeks, a landscape architecture and landscaping company that specializes in sustainable and eco-friendly landscape design, installation and maintenance. The event is also supported by Tom Wood Collision Center, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes and White’s Ace Hardware in addition to the following Rain on Main Barrel Sponsors: 2022 Carmel Marathon, Actors Theatre of Indiana, All Things Carmel, Bazbeaux Pizza, Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream, Calico Counseling, Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation, Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, The Great Frame Up, Indiana Artisan, Lauth Group, Inc., MEG & Associates, Moody Eyes, Papa Fattoush Restaurant, Ranj Puthran Allstate Insurance Agency, RPM Technologies, LLC and Wheel House Donuts.

Rain barrels continue to grow in popularity across the country; beautifully painted rain barrels increase their desirability and encourage water conservation by using recycled rainwater. Rain barrels sit under gutter downspouts to collect and store rainwater from roofs that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams and rivers. The collected water can then be used to water plants in the landscape instead of using treated water which saves water and energy. Additionally, Carmel residents who install a rain barrel are eligible to apply for a $50 rebate per barrel from the City’s Storm Water Utility.

More information about Rain on Main and the rain barrel rebate can be found at RainOnMain.com or Facebook.com/RainOnMain.