Keep the Midlands Beautiful Holds Carolina, Clemson Rain Barrel Art Competition

To increase awareness of stormwater runoff pollution, Lexington County, Richland County and the City of Columbia, in partnership with Keep the Midlands Beautiful, are hosting a Carolina/Clemson rain barrel art competition.  

The competition is open to public, private and home school students in the 6th through 12th grades. There is no fee to enter. Students are challenged to get into the water conservation game by creatively decorating a rain barrel in support of either the University of South Carolina or Clemson University.

Rain barrels are used by homeowners to collect rainwater for gardening while decreasing stormwater runoff from their property. 

Completed barrels will be displayed online where citizens will have the opportunity support their school by bidding on a completed barrel between Nov. 19 and 27. Proceeds from the auction will go toward Keep the Midlands Beautiful's Adopt-A-Waterway program and the 2013 Summer Celebration of Water.

Participating schools will by vying for the opportunity to win one of two $300 prizes and a tour of the University of South Carolina Athletic Facility. Prizes will go to the barrel that receives the top bid and the one that demonstrates the best school spirit.

Twenty-four barrels are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline to request a barrel is Oct. 26.  

For more information visit www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful.com or contact Synithia Williams at 803-785-8634 or swilliams@lex-co.com.