COLUMBUS - A trash barrel painting contest - one of the leadoff events for this year's Fourth of July celebration in Fireman's Park - proved to be entertaining for those behind its 30 entries and the crowd that gathered to watch it unfold on Wednesday.

"This has been a very big success," said Roger Venden, president of the Fourth of July organization. "Just look at the number of people standing out here waiting to see if their barrel wins."

The contest drew entries from kindergarteners through a professional artist - who eventually took home the first place prize.

There were no age divisions for the contest, so it was up to the judges — Randy Bobholz , Bill Braun and Diane Dykstra — to decide how to grade the entries. Some of the barrels were painted cooperatively by school classes, 4-H clubs or other groups.

Bonnie Rostad took charge of the event for the Fourth of July organization.

"She saw the idea in Iowa," said committee member Pam Duborg.

The winners of the contest were Terri Bashynski of Randolph, representing the Columbus Art Association, in third place; Nicole and Grace Stormer of Fall River, representing the Stormer family, in second place; and Everett Kitts of Columbus in first place. They took home prizes of $50, $75 and $100, and the barrels they painted will be in Saturday's Fourth of July parade.

Bashynski's third place finish was determined only after a second round of voting that was necessitated by a tie with another barrel. She is a member of the Columbus Art Association, which has 14 members, but said that she did most of the work on the barrel, which has a theme of "Happy Birthday America."

Nicole Stormer and her daughter Grace painted "everything about Columbus," including a baseball diamond and a fireworks display - "the two best parts about the Fourth of July here," according to Nicole.

Kitts painted two farmhouses in the town of Columbus which he said he researched at the Columbus Public Library. He said the houses date back to 1836.

Kitts is a professional artist who does abstract folk art. He considers the barrel painting to be an example of the latter.

"I love art - any excuse to paint," Kitts said.

He moved from Rhode Island to Madison because of its art community, then moved to Columbus in June and has a goal of opening an art gallery here. His business name is Kitts Kreations.

All of the painted barrel entries will be used as trash containers throughout the weekend either in the park or along the parade route.

The barrels were donated by Robbins Manufacturing of Fall River.

This was the first year for the barrel painting contest.

pscharf@capitalnewspapers.com