CEDAR CITY – The Southern Utah University football team, a variety of local businesses and organizations, and city residents will converge on Main Street with brooms, squeegees and shovels this Saturday for the first Spring Cleanup.

This event kicks off the revival of a group dedicated to beautifying and reviving Cedar City’s historic downtown. For the cleanup, the newly re-formed Cedar City Downtown Retail Alliance is collaborating with the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau, the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce, and Cedar City Corporation.

“We’re basically trying to get the downtown all fresh and sparkling for the tourism season,” said Maria Twitchell, director of the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau.

She encouraged all residents to come help out and enjoy the donated refreshments.

“I love the idea (of the cleanup),” said Downtown Retail Alliance Member and owner of Braun Books, Tyler Braun.

He added that the spring cleanup works toward the organization’s overall goal of making the historic downtown an appealing place to shop.

“The whole idea is to kick off a resurgence of the historic downtown,” Twitchell said.

Following the cleanup, the Downtown Retail Alliance will host a logo contest to accompany the group’s new slogan, “Live it Up Downtown.”

The cleanup will last until 3 p.m., and will involve picking up trash, planting, painting, washing storefronts and more throughout the downtown area. The vacant downtown theater will receive particular attention.

In addition, Cedar City Corporation will provide dumpsters and Jessie’s 360° Power Wash and Detail will be available to spray facades and buildings for a nominal fee. Business owners are encouraged to call Jessie at 435-592-3912 to arrange a time.

Twitchell described the event as “all about partnership,” adding that “it’s been fantastic to see (all these organizations) working together.”

Anyone interested is invited to show up at 77 N. Main St. at noon. Cleaning tools, work clothes and some extra water are encouraged, and Twitchell asked that interested parties call ahead at 435-586-5124.