Commerce will get something of a spring cleaning Saturday morning, with upwards of 75 volunteers removing litter, cleaning sidewalks and replanting flower beds throughout the downtown.
The Downtown Development Authority has commitments from one local industry and a number of civic clubs and youth groups to plant $3,000 worth of flowers and shrubs in Spencer Park and in the Streetscape flowerbeds throughout the downtown.
But volunteers will also pick up litter and power wash sidewalks to put a shine on the downtown. They’ll remove litter from public parking areas and trim shrubs where needed.
The work will begin at 8:00 and end at about noon.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Fire Department will draw hundreds of people to the public safety complex for their 35th annual chickenque, with drive-through pickup from 11:00 to 2:00, and local merchants will offer clearance items in a tent sale in the public parking area along the railroad tracks in front of the park.
“We still need volunteers,” said Denise McKay, the DDA’s executive director. Those who have not already signed up can show up at Spencer Park at 8:00 and will be assigned one of the projects. Those who can’t make it by 8:00 are encouraged to show up when they can.
“We’ll have something for everyone to do,” McKay promised.
Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) is a major sponsor of the event. SET not only provided $2,500 to buy plants, but is also sending a group of employees to work and will cook hot dogs in the park to feed the volunteers. A local garden club made a $500 donation for plants.
Other groups committing to work Saturday include the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Commerce Area Business Association, the Commerce High School Key Club, a local Girl Scout troop, a garden club, the city’s Public Works Department and DDA members and volunteers. Keep Jackson County Beautiful will provide trash bags, gloves and bottled water for workers.
Tent Sale
Local merchants will hold a tent sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the trackside parking area by Spencer Park.
Participants include Gift Works at the Joy Shop, Our Town Antiques, Sanders Furniture Store, Commerce Drug Company, My Daughters Antiques, Commerce School of Dance, Jay’s Department Store and H.R. McGoos.
