Appalachian Center Rain Barrel

By Kit Cottrell

Appropriately enough, the Berea Rain Barrel Festival at Memorial Park was launched in a drizzling rain as people sought dry shelter beneath tents, huddled under brightly designed umbrellas, or simply gave in to Mother Nature, strolling in the misty rain that fell for most of the early afternoon.  The festival could easily have been a soggy disaster; instead a cheerful, almost celebratory atmosphere prevailed as folks examined the rich, vibrant designs on the sixty-eight  rain barrels due to be auctioned; either in a silent auction that morning or in a live auction later that day.  The barrels were painted by amateurs and professionals alike from throughout the Central Kentucky region.  Unpainted rain barrels were for sale as well, with 68 selling out quickly and another 117 placed on back-order.  Now, that’s worth celebrating! 

                The Berea Rain Barrel Festival is an event designed to promote awareness about water conservation, watershed management, and how to be good stewards of the land by using rain barrels to collect rainwater for use on gardens and flowers, as well as a community project where everyone gets to play artist!  According to Richard Olson, Sustainable Berea chair, “The Rain Barrel Festival is about another way of thinking, which starts with reducing the city’s demand for water by actions to conserve water by households, businesses and industries,” Olson said. “It involves capturing and storing water not in another reservoir but in rain barrels, cisterns, and landscaped yards. It emphasizes using water not from distant rivers but what falls right onto Berea.”

Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble

As for the barrels themselves, here’s the basic scoop: a rain barrel is outfitted with a screen on top for the gutter pipe to drain into it; a hose is attached for overflow, and a spigot at the base.  When it rains, water from the roof is caught which provides a free source of water for watering gardens and other outdoor uses.  Not only is it a money saving device, it also allows a source of water during water restrictions in the event of a drought, and decreases storm water runoff, as well as conserving one of nature’s most precious resources. 

                Rain barrels may have been the stars of the show; however was also plenty of free food and fabulous entertainment by The Sundogs and the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble.  The Berea Rain Barrel Festival is the first of its kind in Kentucky and from all appearances was a huge success.  If anyone is interested in obtaining a rain barrel they are $55 apiece, however if you become a member of Berea Sustainable you may purchase them for $45 and sock the difference away for a rainy day; one in which water can be conserved in your new rain barrel and saved for a sunny one!   

http://www.sustainableberea.org/index.html