River cleanup planned Friday before Charles City whitewater events

Press Staff Report

The community’s whitewater course and the banks of the Cedar River will be on full display this Saturday for the Charles City Whitewater Challenge, and again the following weekend for the whitewater events of the Iowa Games.

To help make sure they’re presented in the best light possible, a whitewater trash cleanup is being organized for Friday afternoon. There’s even a contest involved.

Ginger Williams, Charles City marketing and tourism coordinator, said the event will begin at 3 p.m. and people are asked to gather at the whitewater brochure information station behind the public library.

“Bring your own garbage bags, gloves and buckets, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen,” Williams said. “We’ll work as a group moving both up and downstream.”

She said trash that is collected and bagged should be left near the brochure station at the end of the day for pick-up and disposal.

“All volunteers will be awarded with a thank-you prize from our Charles City Soifer Family McDonald’s,” Williams said.

“Bragging rights will be given to the volunteer who collects the coolest, non-biodegradable trash during the day. Their ‘Trophy Trash’ will be displayed at Saturday’s Whitewater Challenge on stage,” she said.

For more information, contact Williams at ginger@charlescitychamber.com or call 641-228-4234.