It’s impossible to walk or drive through Downtown Albany without noticing the breathtaking hanging flower baskets. Year after year, they brighten our streets, lift our spirits and leave a lasting impression on both visitors and locals.
The tradition began in 1998 when Julie Jackson, Rebecca Bond, Barbara Doolan and Peggy Udolf held a planting party at Oregon Trader, now Calapooia Brewing, to fill wire baskets lined with moss. Many will remember seeing Connie and Bill Lanham riding the little green John Deere tractor and water tank through downtown as they faithfully cared for the baskets.
Later, a Cub Cadet became the watering vehicle, and the flowers were supplied by Hart’s Nursery, Peoria Gardens and Tom’s Garden Center.
Today, the iconic pink and white blooms with a touch of purple are grown by Bauman’s Farm and Garden, a family farm dating back to 1895. They are planted in self-watering baskets made by EarthPlanter, a family-owned company since 1946. The planters help conserve water and reduce labor, allowing for watering every other day in normal weather and just once daily during the hottest stretches of summer.
Volunteers hang the baskets in May and return in the fall to retire them, while ADA’s watering team tends them throughout the summer.
When COVID hit, the budget for the hanging baskets was threatened. We thank our community members who stepped up to contribute to our new Hanging Basket Sponsorship Program then and those who continue to support it today.
From 2021–2025, 13 leading sponsors each contributed more than $1,000, together providing $28,530—totaling nearly 80% of the program’s total community sponsorship of $35,570.
These major contributors include Russell Tripp, Reid Realty LLC, Foundry Lofts LLC, Burcham’s Metals, The Natty Dresser, Ronald Strong, Laura Hyde, Montgomery Park, No Dinx, Scott Lepman Company, Oare & Associates Realty, AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home and RSM Investments.
In addition, many community members and businesses have supported the baskets with contributions under $1,000. These sponsors include Albany Chamber of Commerce, Albany Civic Theater, Catherine Parker, City Delivery, Embrace Kindness Bodywork, Gamberetti’s, Jeff Senders, Jessica Pankratz, Jo Anne Maddy, Jordan Jewelers, Kirsten Patterson, Madeline MacGregor, Michelle Mahana, Mike McLain, Nicole Thompson, Peter Troedsson, Phillip Brown, Riley Corrado, Sharon Konopa, Sid Stevens Jewelers, Smith & Company, Ticor Title Albany, Two0nine, Tyler Aldrich, Visiting Angels and an anonymous donor.
Proceeds from our annual Mother’s Day Flower Sign fundraiser and City of Albany contract provide the remainder of the funds needed annually.
To learn more about the program, call our office at (541) 928-2469 or visit albanydowntown.com/hangingbaskets.
