DOVER, DE, May 23, 2014 -- Since Monday, May 19, the public can vote for their favorite entry online (click here) in the youth rain barrel art contest sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resource's (DNREC) Watershed Assessment and Management Section and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). Online voting will close on Friday, June 6.
The event was a month-long competition, held Jan. 14 to Feb. 14, in an effort to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce rainwater runoff and improve water quality.
The top five painted entries out of 19 received will be displayed at DNREC's building during this year's Delaware State Fair in July, where they will be voted on again by fair visitors for best painted rain barrel.
These five grand prize winners will also participate in DNREC's annual awards ceremony on Governors Day, Thursday, July 24, at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The overall winner as voted on by fairgoers will be announced during the ceremony.
DNREC and DelDOT sponsored the contest to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce rainwater runoff and improve water quality. Participants were chosen based on their applications, design ideas and site placements. Individuals or groups chosen each received a fully-assembled, primed 55-gallon plastic barrel, topcoat and bubble wrap; they supplied their own paint, brushes and other materials or tools.
They then had five weeks to finish their artistry and submit final photographs and information, as well as a short biography of themselves.
As part of this program, each selected individual or group is required to find a public home for their finished rain barrel. Placement can be at a school, with a nonprofit organization, church, municipal building, or other public location.
See also:
"Grand prize winner of DE rain barrel art contest announced"
"Winners of DE rain barrel contest promoting stormwater management announced"
"DE contest to promote rain barrel use in improving stormwater management"
