Submitted by KPB
Keep Pickens Beautiful’s annual Greatest American Cleanup is well underway, and the community response has already made a visible difference across the county.
March and April mark the organization’s two-month push—March focused on roadside litter reduction, April on beautification—with events happening every weekend to invite community participation.
Litter-O-Lympics
The effort kicked off with the Litter-O-Lympics, a countywide challenge encouraging residents to get involved. Using KPB’s Litter Heroes app to track their work, volunteers have already removed more than 3,700 gallons of trash from over 135 miles of roadway. Adopt-A-Road volunteers have added to that impact, contributing their own cleanup totals.
Together, since March 1, the Adopt-A-Road and Litter-O-Lympics Litter Heroes have cleared 4,789 gallons of litter from 151 miles—an effort powered by 19 community members stepping up to care for Pickens County.
To recognize those efforts, each reported cleanup through the app earns participants entry into a weekly gift card drawing. KPB extends its thanks to local businesses supporting the challenge, including North Georgia Homestead Store, Buffalo Luke’s, Natural Marketplace, Red Bean, Station 10 Empanadas, Kaluna Farm Retreat, Antiques & Botanicals, Twist Boutique & Fine Consignments, Comics Cards & Collectibles, 61 Main, and the Pickens County Progress.
Community
Beautification
As April unfolds, the focus turns to beautification. Volunteers have been hard at work revitalizing community spaces—refreshing gardens at the historic Kirby Quinton cabin, including the addition of new kitchen garden beds planted with period-appropriate herbs, and tidying green spaces at Peace Park and the Memorial Garden near the Chamber of Commerce.
The work continues this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., when volunteers will gather in the The Edge Building (94 North Main) parking lot to help prepare these spaces for the season.
Tire Amnesty
April also brings Tire Amnesty Month, giving Pickens County residents the opportunity to dispose of up to four off-rim tires free of charge at the Pickens Recycling Center on Appalachian Court.
Earth Day
The month will culminate in one of KPB’s most anticipated events: Earth Day on Main—with a refreshed focus this year on hands-on learning and family participation.
Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 56 South Main, this year’s event moves beyond traditional vendor displays and invites children (and adults) to learn by doing. Designed as an interactive experience, Earth Day on Main offers a place where kids of all ages can explore what it means to care for the environment in creative, tangible ways.
Throughout the day, families can roll up their sleeves and create upcycled crafts, experiment with recycled glass art, and turn everyday odds and ends into junk-drawer wind chimes.
Young gardeners can learn how to start a container garden—and even take one home while supplies last—while others can discover simple, practical composting techniques through hands-on demonstrations.
The Pickens Arts and Cultural Alliance will sponsor a face painter, Eric Reinhardt will provide live music, and KPB will offer snacks throughout the day.
Earth Day on Main is an opportunity for families to spend time together, learn something new, and leave inspired to make small, meaningful changes at home.
Keep Pickens Beautiful extends its appreciation to the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation for supporting these programs and to the Jasper Coca-Cola bottling facility for providing beverages for GAC events. Above all, the organization recognizes the volunteers whose time and effort make the cleanup possible.
For those looking to get involved, more information about upcoming events and ways to support the mission can be found at keeppickensbeautiful.org, or by visiting KPB’s green cabin at 56 South Main, open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
