"Peachy Clean Day" will be held in the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County on Saturday, April 15. Currently, the city, the county, and the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce are looking for volunteers who are willing to spend a few hours picking up litter in order to get streets and roads in tip-top shape for the annual bluegrass festival in May. Pictured are: (l-r) Jim Butler, county code enforcement officer; Tiwanna Ferguson, chamber president; Sherman Norman, city street superintendent; and Ginger Parham, chamber administrator. City and county residents are urged to fill up their water bottles, put on their walking shoes, and slather on plenty of sunscreen for "Peachy Clean Day" set for Saturday, April 15.

The annual clean-up day is being sponsored by the City of Lincolnton, Lincoln County Government, and the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. Spearheading the initiative on behalf of the three entities are Councilman Guil Mattison; Jim Butler, code enforcement officer for the county; and Ginger Parham, chamber administrator.

In his comments, Lincolnton Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff encouraged citizens to come out and help spruce up the city and county for the annual Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival the first weekend in May. "We need people to pick up trash along the roadsides. We want to get the streets and highways looking good for the bluegrass festival."

Those volunteering to help clean up the city and county are asked to meet in the parking lot at the Lincoln County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. to receive their assignments. Clean-up day will officially end at 12:30 p.m., but those who wish to keep working are heartily urged to do so. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

To reserve a stretch of highway for a youth group, school club, church, neighborhood association, civic organization, etc., contact City Hall at 706359-3239, the Lincoln County Solid Waste Management Office at 706359-5525, or the chamber of commerce at 706-359-7970 as soon as possible.

Once again, in order to put a little fun into the occasion, the chamber will be hiding "Riches in Ditches" to encourage volunteers to cover as much territory as possible. The "riches" are actually paper peaches: each is worth $10 in "LincolnCHECKs" which may be redeemed at any participating chamber business.

The paper peaches may be cashed in for LincolnCHECKS at the chamber of commerce office on N. Washington Street prior to the end of business on Friday, April 21.

In her comments on Peachy Clean Day, Ginger Parham, chamber administrator, said, "You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. Thousands of visitors will be in town for the bluegrass festival and other events planned for the summer. We want to put our best foot forward and show others how much we care about our community."

The rain date for Peachy Clean Day is Saturday, April 22.