T-R FILE PHOTO A Marshalltown resident cleans up State Street in a previous Team Up to Clean Up event downtown. The event will take place again on Saturday, courtesy of the Marshalltown Central Business District.

Time to spring into some downtown cleaning.

The annual Marshalltown Central Business District (MCBD) Team Up to Clean Up event is scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Executive Director Danielle Lekin said the event is organized to prepare downtown for the busy spring and summer seasons.

“Volunteers come together to clean, refresh and beautify public spaces, helping ensure downtown is welcoming, vibrant and ready for residents and visitors alike,” she said.

The clean-up will focus on State, Church and Main streets, stretching from Third Street to Third Avenue – debris will be removed and thrown away, weeds will be pulled, plus whatever else is necessary to make downtown Marshalltown shine. If a large number of volunteers appear, they will be able to cover more ground and have a greater overall impact.

“Special attention will be given to high-traffic areas and key corridors, particularly those most visible to visitors and those impacted by ongoing construction,” Lekin said. “These areas are prioritized because they shape first impressions and directly support our downtown businesses during a critical time of year.”

The effort has become an annual event for MCBD in recent years, and participation has steadily grown. The fall clean-up drew 16 volunteers, with sleeves rolled up, ready to get some work done to help beautify downtown. That was the highest turnout to date, according to Lekin.

“We would love to build on that momentum and break our record this year by welcoming even more volunteers,” she said.

Lekin said volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, comfortable clothes and anything they prefer to use for light, outdoor cleaning. MCBD will help coordinate supplies and provide direction on tasks.

“This is a simple and meaningful way to give back to the community,” she said. “Downtown is the living room of Marshalltown, and this event allows residents to take an active role in shaping that shared space. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with others and support our local businesses.”

It also helps get downtown ready for upcoming events, such as MCBD Presents Live After 5, Rev Up Downtown, Taco Throwdown, Ridiculous Day and more.

“We’ve seen strong momentum with this event, and we’re excited to continue building on that,” Lekin said. “Even a small group can make a big impact and every additional volunteer helps us go further and do more.”

EVENT INFORMATION:

Name: Team Up to Clean Up

Location: Marshalltown Central Business District

Address: 34 W. Main St.

Date: Saturday

Hours: 10 a.m. to noon

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.