Savin' a Rainy Day Marengo Main Street's “Savin’ a Rainy Day” art exhibit went on display July 17 in the streets of downtown Marengo. Twenty decorated barrels have created a memorable art exhibit displayed at various sites in downtown Marengo. Citizens can vote for their favorite barrel at several downtown locations, including Marengo City Hall. The barrels will remain on display until they are sold at a live auction during Settlers Day’s “Saturday Night on Main Street” celebration, October 9, 2010. Water stored in rain barrels is excellent for watering thirsty plants, gardens, or lawns, and can be used to wash cars and pets. Using rainwater for landscaping, and other yard work, will help ensure that ground water is in adequate supply in dry times, and allows you to water your lawn even when a watering ban is in place. The barrels were originally used to ship food to US markets. To food manufacturers these barrels are scrap, and in most cases would be sent to a landfill. Upcycle Products Inc., the supplier of the barrels for the Marengo Main Street project, kept nearly 80 cubic tons of plastic, out of Chicagoland landfills last year by recycling these containers as rain barrels and composters. Our aim is to launch an initiative to bring people downtown to appreciate beautiful art, and to promote rain barrels as a “green” method to conserve, recycle, and reuse rainwater. The exhibit will be on display in downtown Marengo from July 17th until October 9th. Tour maps of the barrels' locations are available at participating businesses and on our website