June 6 deadline to vote online for best painted rain barrel in youth contest

The public is invited to vote for its favorite entry online at www.delawarewatersheds.org in the youth rain barrel painting contest sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Watershed Assessment and Management Section and the Delaware Department of Transportation. Online voting will close Friday, June 6.

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 about 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.

For more information, contact Sharon Webb at sharon.webb@state.de.us or 302-739-9922.