Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County seeks to turn rain barrels into works of art with the help of the community for the second time in 2013.

Forty rain barrels have been provided by the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District to be sponsored by businesses and/or individuals and then turned into works of art to be displayed around downtown Warsaw throughout the spring. The barrels will be unveiled at First Friday, May 3, while awards will be handed out at the June 7 First Friday event.

The barrels will remain on display at least through the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival on June 8 at Center Lake Park. Rain on Kosciusko raised more than $8,000 for Habitat in 2012.Barrels are available on a first come, first serve basis and must be completed by April 26 to begin display around downtown Warsaw. Awards will be given for Best Creation, Best Color Scheme, Most Imaginative Use, Best Artist, Most Outside the Barrel, Most Bizarre, People’s Choice and more.

Best in Show will be decided by the barrel receiving the highest auction amount. For more information on how to participate as a sponsor and/or artist please call 574-269-4104.

Rain barrels are very similar to the role that Habitat plays in the community, the barrels are simple, decent, affordable, efficient and utilize resources wisely. Habitat provides simple, decent, affordable and efficient housing utilizing the volunteer resources within the community.

For more information, visit the Habitat for Humanity website, the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival website or the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District website.