One-of-a-kind rain barrels prepare to hit Ashland’s main streets

In just a few weeks, Ashland County visitors and residents alike will notice a colorful addition to the main streets of both Loudonville and Ashland as art and conservation come together for Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District’s Rain Beat on Main Street event. 2023 will mark the program’s fourth year, and the popularity of the program shows no signs of slowing down.

In fact, this year’s event will feature a record number (27!) of one-of-a-kind rain barrels sponsored by local businesses and painted by local artists. The barrels will be on display throughout June and July in Loudonville’s Central Park (June 14-21), Ashland Balloonfest at Freer Field (June 22- 25), and Ashland’s Corner Park (June 26-July 5). While the barrels are on display, an online auction will take place for each barrel with the proceeds going to stormwater education programs.

“Since we started this event in 2020, the Rain Beat on Main Street event has been such a fun experience, and we were so excited to have so much interest and involvement from local community members and businesses,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director. “This year, we are so excited to continue to see the program grow with more and more local businesses and artists getting involved. The talent within the Ashland community is amazing.”

This year’s rain barrel sponsors and artists are:

      • Ashland County Park District (LeAnne Stadler artist)

      • Brethren Care Village (Brethren Care residents artist)

      • Centerra Co-op (Kyle Akermann artist)

      • Chad’s Collision (Carol Jump artist)

      • Chicory Witch (Element of Art Studio/Gallery artist)

      • Donley Ford (Rachel Justice artist)

      • Fin, Feather, Fur Outfitters (Whitney Mullinex artist)

      • Forbes Farmstead Market (Hailey Spreng artist)

      • Gerwig’s White Barn (Hannah Endslow artist)

      • Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweetie’s Chocolates (Donna Sutherland artist)

      • Honey Haven Farm (Evelyn Brockway artist)

      • Neil Kadey Insurance (Kolleen Crall Miller artist)

      • Loudonville Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2275 (Angel Watson artist)

      • Loudonville Lions Club (Grace Ringler artist)

      • Mohican Appliance (Kandi McCrea artist)

      • Pheasants Forever (Polen family artist)

      • Rooks Brothers, LLC (Sarah & Hanna McCrea artists)

      • Shakley Mechanical (Ms. Nala & friends artist)

      • Simonson Construction (Emily Spreng artist)

      • Sutton Bank (Grace Crall artist)

      • Sugargrove Tree Farm (Christine Patton-Snyder artist)

      • Tin Can Chandelier (Megan Gallaway artist)

      • Tin Can Chandelier (Amanda Kencsan artist)

      • Tin Can Chandelier (Nataliegh Everett artist)

      • Ralph & Betty Jo Tomassi (Julia England artist)

      • Truax Printing (Sophia Truax artist)

      • Weaver Home Improvement (Shelbi Kencsan artist)

While the rain barrels on on display, an online auction will be taking place where community members can bid on their favorite rain barrels. The proceeds from the auction are used for stormwater education events in the county. So far, the Rain Beat on Main Street program has raised over $4,500 for stormwater education projects. Those funds have been used to the purchase of a stormwater management learning and community engagement game and host educational events on precipitation monitoring, ice river spotting, rain garden workshops, and two rain barrel workshops.

Use this QR code to bid on your favorite rain barrel!

“We have so many talented artists in Ashland County that have created beautiful variety of rain barrels that were created,” Houin said. “As this year’s barrels start to come in, we have everything from chalkboard inspired butterfly paintings to colorful elephants and from peaceful garden scenes to underwater fish. We even have some highlighting local attractions and residents, and of course our native wildlife. Each of these rain barrels is so unique and really reflects the passions and talents of our local artists.”

For more information on this year’s Rain Beat on Main Street event, contact Cora Crilow at 419-281-7645.

Ashland SWCD