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Newsroom Home > Archives > April > 20070413-nr_BloomsDay.asp News Release Contacts: Matt Laible, Communications Department, 612-673-2786 or Cheryllyne Vaz, Metro/Minneapolis Blooms 612-720-9604 Celebrate Minneapolis Blooms Day 2007May 5 event is one opportunity to protect our environment by buying a rain barrel at half price April 13, 2007 (MINNEAPOLIS) Gardeners and would-be gardeners are invited to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Minneapolis Blooms Program at the Minneapolis Blooms Day Education and Recognition Fair: Saturday, May 5 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nokomis Park Community Center 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis Rebecca Kolls, nationally renowned garden expert from HGTV’s Rebecca’s Garden, will be the keynote speaker on ‘Growing Green in Harmony with Nature.’ Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak will present Minneapolis Blooms Awards to the top 2006 Minneapolis gardens and gardeners. Blooms Day is also a great opportunity for Minneapolis residents to purchase a rain barrel for half price, just $45. The City is working with Blooms and the Green Institute’s ReUse Center to offer the discounted rain barrels thanks to a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Great Cities Program. Rain barrels are great for homeowners and the environment, because when connected to a downspout, they reduce water consumption and cut down on runoff that ends up in our lakes and streams. A limited number of rain barrels will be available for purchase on Blooms Day. Minneapolis residents can also order a rain barrel by visiting www.thereusecenter.com. Although 2,000 barrels were originally available, most have already been sold, so it’s a good idea to order now. U.S. EPA Region 5 will formally award the rain barrel grant to the City at the event. Mayor Rybak will accept the grant, and throughout the day there will be special demonstrations on how to install and use a rain barrel in your yard. Everyone who attends will be eligible to enter to win a featured door prize worth $1,000. The winner will receive a personalized rain garden designed by Landscape Ecologist Rusty Schmidt, installed by Blooms landscape design assistants, and planted with free native plants donated by Landscape Alternatives. The event will feature a native perennial sale, experts from Minnesota plant societies, master gardeners, gardening business exhibitors, and information about reducing your Minneapolis storm water utility fee. Minneapolis Blooms Day is sponsored by Metro Blooms and the Minneapolis Blooms Program of CUE (Committee on Urban Environment). It is also supported by the City of Minneapolis Public Works Storm Water Education Fund, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Hennepin County Environmental Services, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. For more information on Blooms Day, visit www.metroblooms.org or call 612-673-3014. Communications Department
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