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Downtown Harlan needs a bit of spring cleaning, and the folks at the Harlan Center are getting ready to provide the opportunity to do just that with the Downtown Harlan Community Cleanup.

Set for this Friday (April 11), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., volunteers should go to the Harlan Center to take part in the event.

Laura Adkisson, City of Harlan Tourism Downtown Development Coordinator, provided some information for those who wish to help with the cleanup.

“As we come into spring, we come into a season where all of us are spending more time outdoors and out and about,” Adkisson said. “It’s also the time of year when we pick up a lot of visitors in our community.”

Adkisson explained the aim of the cleanup is to have a more pleasant downtown experience.

“We wanted to take some time on Friday to just give downtown Harlan a good once over,” Adkisson said. “We want to sweep up some garbage and take care of some things just to tidy up a bit for the spring.”

The city of Harlan has relied on volunteers for this sort of thing on previous occasions.

“We’re always partnering with the Harlan City Street Department and the City of Harlan to do similar things,” Adkisson said. “We’re excited to have volunteers come out and work along with us to get things looking good.”

Anyone interested is welcome to volunteer to help with the cleanup.

“We welcome all kinds of volunteers,” Adkisson said. “All ages, anybody that can hold a broom or a dustpan we’d like them to come out and help for as long as they can. The cleanup will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., but if you can only come and help for half an our we appreciate that. If you can come and stay the whole time, that’s fine too. We’re just excited to work together.”

Volunteers may bring their own cleaning supplies if they wish, however cleaning supplies will also be available at the Harlan Center.

“Anyone who wants to can come by and pick up some garbage bags and gloves and head out to help out,” Adkisson said.

The goal is to ensure downtown Harlan is enjoyable for all.

“We want our town to make a good impression on visitors that come in and we also want it to be a place our locals feel proud of,” Adkisson said. “Having a nice-looking town that’s free of litter and garbage and just spruced up a bit is going to help us make a great first impression for visitors.”

The cleanup will be postponed in the event of rain or other inclement weather.

For more information, go to the Harlan Center or call 606-573-4156.