Are you looking for suggestions on containers or on plants?
Is there a theme or color scheme?

We have no rules as far as things go. They have told me to do whatever I can. Any suggestions would be great. thanks

Sun/shade and the amount of growing time you have (would seeds or bulbs be appropriate or do ya need cutting or plants?)?

Somebody asked a similar question on the Container Gardening forum and got a great idea: get local groups to design & plant the planters. Kid's groups like scouts, 4-H and Campfire would work great if each troop/group took a planter and planted it, and maybe included a little wooden sign or emblem indicating which group did it. You could even award ribbons for things like "best use of color" and "most original"

At my state fair, the Grange exhibits are run on a similar basis -- each Grange designs and creates theirs -- and various ribbons are awarded, including a "People's Choice award that fairgoers can vote on. The fair gets a hall full of gorgeous exhibits of fruits, vegetables & other produce for nothing, and the grangers all seem to enjoy it a lot.

If you harness some friendly competitive spirit I bet you'd get beautiful plantings.

Kristin

If you're looking for something with big impact but small cost, you might consider ornamental grasses or cannas. I just discovered cannas last year, and I love the gaudy, tropical effect. My local nursery offered them as the loss-leader this weekend and I picked up a ton of nbulbs for 33 cents a piece!