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Group cleanup event on Grand River held days before ArtPrize kickoff

Posted at 9:05 PM, Sep 20, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-20 21:36:33-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With ArtPrize kicking off in just a matter of days, the Grand river is getting a little cleanup.

The 11th annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup took place on Saturday along the river.

Hundreds of people volunteered their time, wearing matching t-shirts and carrying trash bags.

The cleanup was organized by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. The group said that this year their focus is keeping trash away from storm drains,  adding that substances like motor oil if poured in a storm drain, goes directly into the Grand River.

“I’ve spent a lot of my personal time walking up and down the river and enjoying it, so it’s great when we welcome visitors to ArtPrize for example, to know that we’ve done our job to welcome them by cleaning it up,” said Ruth Kelly, Grand Rapids City Commissioner.

After the cleanup, volunteers were treated to live music and plenty of pizza.