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As Richmond residents prepare for the Model T Ford T Party, fire hydrants down Main Street are getting a fresh coat of paint but not a regular coat. The paint is colorful and being applied by children.

After a suggestion from Mayor Sally Hutton, 50 hydrants are being painted along the Model T parade route, which will take place on Thursday, July 24, beginning at 3 p.m. The project is being supervised by artist Fonda Wilds, who would like to eventually see every hydrant in town painted.

Nearly 10 children gathered around the hydrant at 13^th and Main Street today, as some of their parents watched. Paige Hazelbaker painted flowers and hearts.

“We just used our imagination and did what we could,” Hazelbaker said. The tops of the hydrants must be kept yellow for the fire department.

Mayor Hutton said she thinks the new artwork will be a great addition to the city.

“This way we get our hydrants painted, the kids are involved and the community has art. It’s really a win-win situation,” Hutton said.

As Wilds moves from hydrant to hydrant, she hopes to send a message.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s just a small one-to-one conversation or one brush stroke at a time,” Wilds said, “I feel like the more conversation that happens on whatever level, the more you open up that piece of community”

The painters are volunteering their time and the paint is being paid for by the city.