Spring is clearly just around the corner.

Here in Pahrump, that also means it's about time for the annual Earth Day celebration held in conjunction with the Town Clean-Up.

The events, both Saturday, April 19, are well on their way to being successful yet again since the Pahrump Town Board approved funding advertising and live entertainment for the events with $2,700 of state room tax money.

The Town Clean-Up will be headed by former Nye County Commissioner and local business owner Patricia Cox.

Participants form teams and are assigned areas of town to clean up by the Chamber of Commerce.

Competitions are held for who picks up the most trash or has the largest team.

The event usually begins at 7 a.m. and finishes up at about 2 p.m., just in time for participants to head over to Honeysuckle Park and enjoy the Earth Day celebration hosted by the Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Board.

"The two events are a natural match for each other, being a very proactive and positive project to benefit our town," John Pawlak of the advisory board said. "Not only do we enjoy cleaning our town on this day, but we also celebrate the environmental good we do during this day by visiting booths dedicated towards recycling, renewable energy, and finding natural products sold locally which do not damage our valley and aquifer."

Because of past successes, Pawlak said the organizations found it necessary to ask for more money than they usually do.

Pahrump Valley Disposal will provide additional dumpsters for cleaning teams, including four drop-off locations for bulk items like old furniture and appliances (which some people drop off in the middle of the desert).

To sign up a team for the Town Clean-Up, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 727-5800.