LAPLACE — It’s that time of year again; that’s right it’s Clean Sweep time in St. John the Baptist Parish.

As part of the Parish’s beautification efforts officials and residents are preparing for the annual Clean Sweep clean up day.

Volunteers will gather at 8:30 a.m. April 23 at the Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park on U.S. 51 in LaPlace.

St. John Communications Director Baileigh Rebowe Helm said there were 100 volunteers signed up as of Wednesday.

“It’s exciting and it’s encouraging,” Helm said. “It shows that our residents and our business owners and employees really do want to help make our community more beautiful and help with the litter problem that we are currently facing.”

Helm said individuals and groups can register the day of the clean sweep, but adds it is  better to do it ahead of time.

“We strongly encourage that people pre-register,” she said. “That way we can have a location assigned for them. We can also have their T-shirts and supplies ready for them to pick up that morning.”

Volunteers can either pick a location they wish to clean or ask to be assigned to one of 10 major thoroughfares throughout St. John Parish.

“Volunteers don’t need to bring anything with them except for a smile,” Helm said. “We supply everything. We have trash pickers, garbage bags and gloves. We also supply them with T-shirts and water.”

Volunteers will be treated to refreshments when they return to the park around noon.

“There is going to be jambalaya and a little bit of music,” Helm said. “Also new to this year is the fact that the LaPlace Raising Cane’s is going to act as a sponsor. They will be giving out free tea, lemonade, meal certificates and other prizes. This is the first year that we’ve ever had a sponsor, so we’re excited to have them participate as a partner.”

For more information or to register, call 985-652-9569 or visit sjbparish.com on the Clean Sweep page.