Diamond City Partnership partners with Wilkes-Barre Area Career Technical Center to install 186 hanging baskets in Downtown Wilkes-Barre

The Diamond City Partnership (DCP), Wilkes-Barre’s nonprofit downtown management organization, recently installed 186 hanging flower baskets on streetlamps throughout Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

All of the plant material in the 2026 hanging baskets – a mix of petunias and sweet-potato vines – was grown by students from the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center’s Horticulture Program in the WBACTC greenhouses. The baskets were then installed by DCP’s Downtown Ambassador Team, which is also responsible for maintaining them.

DCP Executive Director Larry Newman said: “This is the twelfth consecutive year that DCP has installed and planted hanging baskets along Downtown Wilkes-Barre streets, and each year, we aim to raise the bar with our efforts to beautify Downtown’s environment. We’re fortunate to have the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center’s Horticulture Program as a partner in this effort – the students and their instructors have put tremendous time, effort, and care into this year’s plantings, and the results are apparent to all.”

WBACTC Horticulture instructor George Albright said, “This year’s project was a major undertaking for the class—challenging at times, but incredibly rewarding. Students will now be able to see their work showcased throughout the year, and we look forward to continuing future collaborations with the Diamond City Partnership.”

He continued: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the administration at the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center: Dr. Robert Makaravage, Administrative Director; Principal Frank Majikes; and Assistant Principal Anthony Cibello, for their continued support. A special thank-you also goes to George and Jane Albright of Glen Summit Floral Company, who generously sourced the plants at the best possible price and supplied them to the school at no additional cost.”