An entourage of rafts and footsoldiers will descend on the Tuckasegee River Saturday, April 18, to dredge, drag, fish, heave, haul or otherwise remove trash from the river and its banks.

The annual river cleanup — now in its 25th year — is hosted by Western Carolina University’s Base Camp Cullowhee. It brings together students, faculty and community members to better the river.

“Now celebrating its silver anniversary, the Tuckaseigee River Cleanup was originally organized by a small group of concerned volunteers and has grown into one of the largest single day efforts to clean up a river in the country,” said Jennifer Wright, outdoor recreation coordinator for Base Camp Cullowhee and coordinator for the cleanup.

Volunteers will have the option of working from a raft or from the riverbank. No rafting experience is required. Transportation to and from the river will be provided. Participants should wear old clothing and bring gloves to protect their hands. The cleanup will go from East Laporte to Barker’s Creek.

After the cleanup, a free cookout will be held for volunteers at the WCU picnic area on Cullowhee Creek. Drawings will be held for a variety of prizes donated by area merchants. The first 400 volunteers to register will receive a free T-shirt.

To register in advance, go to basecamp.wcu.edu, or call 828.227.3625, or show up at 11 a.m. the day of the cleanup on the lawn of the University Center.

Article courtesy of the Smoky Mountain News.