Rain on Main barrels return to Carmel Arts & Design District & Farmers Market

Submitted by City of Carmel

The 12th annual Rain on Main event, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off Friday, Aug. 14, with a display of decorated barrels in the Carmel Arts & Design District. Rain on Main is proud to feature barrel artists Aimee Bruno and Carolyn Martens (barrels pictured below) who are returning for their 10th year!

The barrels will remain along Main Street through the following week until they are relocated to the Carmel Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Rain on Main, presented by Carmel Utilities, Carmel Department of Stormwater 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 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 in both categories will receive cash prizes.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Aug. 14

The 19 decorated barrels will be posted on the Rain on Main Facebook page 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.

The online auction is now live! 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.

Saturday, Aug. 22

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 Stormwater Utility. Click here to learn more about the rain barrel subsidy.

Click here to see the full list of the 2026 Rain on Main event sponsors and 2026 Barrel Sponsors.