About

Operation Rain Barrel is a showcase feature of Go Gaga for Green -- a family-friendly, community-wide gathering to celebrate Earth Day and benefit three special programs: George Mason University's Early Identification Program, the Arlington County Council of PTA's Scholarship Fund and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment's Energy Masters Program.

Go Gaga for Green will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, 5-8 PM at Mason's Founders Hall in Arlington at 3351 Fairfax Drive. Ticket information may be found here. Go Gaga for Green celebrates environmental sustainability in Arlington with food, fun activities and live entertainment including our famous Lip Sync Battle! It all takes place at George Mason University's Arlington Campus.

Operation Rain Barrel is a creative project that combines science and art. It was started in 2012 through a special partnership between George Mason University and Arlington Public Schools. Operation Rain Barrel is a project students begin each January and culminates in April at Go Gaga for Green –a community-wide event celebrating environmental sustainability– at Mason's Arlington Campus.

The rain barrels will be exhibited and sold via a silent auction at the event. They are fully functional rain barrels of the most artistic kind! Rain barrels help reduce runoff that can sweep soil, fertilizer, pesticides and other contaminants into waterways. Reducing this runoff protects habitats of aquatic animals and fosters a healthy food chain for our rivers. Water collected in rain barrels also saves money – allowing you to water your garden and yard with naturally collected rain water.

The barrels will also be judged separately and the top three winning designs selected by a jury will be announced at the event. Each winning school will receive a cash donation courtesy of Go Gaga for Green Prize Sponsor Water Management, Inc. The People's Choice winning rain barrel will also be announced at the event and its school will receive a donation:

• First Place Judged: $200
• Second Place Judged: $100
• Third Place Judged: $100
• People's Choice Competition Winner: $100

Learn more about Operation Rain Barrel by viewing this video.