Community invited to Clean Your ‘Fork event

Each year, on the last Saturday of April, 100 volunteers gather for breakfast before heading out as a community to do litter pickup along 10 miles of highway around Bigfork. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event was postponed. However, with summer quickly approaching, the community is invited to come together and clean up Bigfork before visitors arrive.

This year, Clean Your ‘Fork will take place on Saturday, June 27 with a few variations from tradition. Instead of volunteers meeting before the event, the start times for each section of highway will be staggered. The starting location has also been changed from First Interstate Bank in Bigfork to the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce office, although the First Interstate staff will still be there handing out bagged breakfasts. Garbage bags, gloves and safety vests are all provided and can be picked up at the office.

Rebekah King, executive director of the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce, encouraged newcomers to participate in this year’s clean-up efforts.

“Clean Your ‘Fork is a wonderful opportunity to get outside with friends and family while doing your part to help the environment. The event really does have a big impact with a minimal time investment,” King said.

Those interested in volunteering can contact the chamber office at (406) 837-5888. Each section of highway is approximately one mile and takes a volunteer group of four to five people about one hour to complete. Participants are reminded to wear appropriate shoes, layered clothing and to bring sunscreen. As an added incentive, each section of highway will have an envelope containing a gift certificate to a local Bigfork business, ranging in value from $5-$25 dollars.

“You know the saying — one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. As a thank you, we want to ensure some treasure,” King said.