Austin continues downtown flower arrangement program - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) --  Austin will once again decorate its Main Street with colorful floral arrangements during the summer months.  Mayor Tom Stiehm and local business owners made the announcement Wednesday morning.

"We're excited about our flower program," said Bonnie Rietz, Flower Committee Chair. "It's a combination of city donations, one large donor -- and many, many citizens who donate to the project."

Twenty-thousand dollars in donations from the city of Austin and the Hormel Foods Corporation will go toward funding the program. Austin based florist, The Hardy Geranium, will be arranging the flowers.

"It's been wonderful to have the bid," said Vicki Trimble, owner of The Hardy Geranium.  "We've changed some of the things that are in the big pots and this year they were beautiful."

This is the 19th year the city has displayed floral arrangements downtown. 

"It really makes the town look better," said Steve Davis, owner of Steve's Pizza.

The committee is now accepting donations from area residents to help cover costs.