Rain on Main barrels return to Carmel
Arts & Design District Aug. 15
CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 6, 2025 - The 11th annual Rain on Main event, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off Friday, Aug. 15, with a display of 20 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 on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Rain on Main, presented by Carmel Utilities, Carmel Department of Storm Water Management and the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, uses art on ordinary barrels to help educate the public about the value of water efficiency. Rain barrels have grown in popularity across the country and decorated barrels are not only nice to look at but are a great way to save water and help the environment.
The painted barrels on display will be judged by an independent panel of experts, with the general public also invited to vote for the “People’s Choice” award. First, second and third place artists will receive cash prizes.
Schedule of Events
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Friday, Aug. 15 at noon: The 20 decorated barrels will be posted on Facebook and placed on display in the Carmel Arts & Design District. The public can vote on a “People’s Choice” winner based on individual barrel likes by going to the Rain on Main Facebook page. An online auction will also begin and individuals can bid on their favorite barrel to take home. You may register for the auction by visiting rainonmain.com or scanning the QR code.
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Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Aug. 17: The barrels will remain along Main Street and the designs will be judged by an independent panel. First, second and third place artists will receive cash prizes.
Saturday, Aug. 23: The barrels will be moved to the Carmel Farmers Market, where the “People’s Choice” voting concludes at 10 a.m. and the online auction continues during the Market hours until 11 a.m. The “People’s Choice” award winner will be announced live at the market at 10:45 a.m., just before the online auction concludes.
Net proceeds from the auction will fund water education in Carmel including signage that has been installed at Founders Park, located at 116th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway. 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. Learn more about the rain barrel subsidy at this link.
2025 Rain Barrel Sponsors
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