The 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup

By Ethan Nahté

The 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup is kicking off soon. Arkansans are encouraged to host a cleanup in their community or volunteer during an event near them.

Registration will open Monday, Aug. 14, and the cleanup season will start on Sept. 9. Visit https://keeparkansasbeautiful.com/get-involved/events/

Each fall, an estimated 10,000 Arkansans volunteer for the statewide Great Arkansas Cleanup litter pickup event. Through their efforts this past year alone, litter was picked up from 3,500 miles of roadways, 503 parks and public areas, and 146.1 miles of shorelines; 26 illegal dumps were closed over the last two years.

Once you’ve registered, notify Pulse Multi-Media where you will be working. We hope to create a list of locations and times around Polk County to hopefully entice more volunteers to get out and help cleanup The Natural State. Other cleanups

Unrelated to the official Great Arkansas Cleanup, area state parks will be having Centennial Day of Service cleanups and invite volunteers to assist. Visit their official pages on ArkansasStateParks.com for more info on what to wear and what to bring.

Queen Wilhelmina State Park

Saturday, Aug. 19

9 a.m.-noon

479-394-2863

Meet at the south side of the Lover’s Leap trailhead.

Cossatot River State Park

Saturday, Oct. 14

1-4 p.m.

870-385-2201

Meet at the Visitor Center to clean up the wild and scenic Cossatot River, access points or surrounding roadways.

It’s time to think about the fair: Volunteering

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

Have you ever wondered how the fair is put together? Would you like to learn more about it and become a part of it? Then become a volunteer! Volunteers are always needed, appreciated and welcomed. You do not have to be a member of a group or club to participate. And we offer training!

On Saturday, Aug. 19, beginning at 11 a.m., a fair volunteer training session will be held in the Education building at the Polk County Fairgrounds. If you would like to attend, or want more information, please contact the Polk County Extension office at 479-394-6018.