Page updated: 10/27/2001 08:56 AM

     Mr. Crafton, and Tim Rettig, member and founder of the Trail Keepers Foundation coordinated this year’s event.  The two men together arranged the arrival of three 30 cubic yard dumpsters, support from government officials to dispose of any trash that was collected, and the participation of several volunteers who spent their Saturday out in the woods, picking up trash that wasn’t theirs to begin with.

  John Q. Weatherman had forecasted rain… sixty percent chance of rain, to be more precise.  For the southern part of Kentucky, 60% usually is more equal to something around 100%.  Despite these potential conditions, over 200 volunteers converged on the area, and it was apparent that Mother Nature was smiling down on all of us… it didn’t rain a drop all day.

 This year’s event was coordinated as to give people “incentive” for picking up trash.  A points system was instituted, and volunteers received a raffle ticket for each point they received.  At the end of the day, a raffle was held for various prizes donated from several different companies around the area.  The more trash you brought to the dumpsters, the more chances you had at winning some of the great prizes that were contributed to the effort.

 As if the raffle wasn’t enough, the participants were also lured to the event by the offering of a $500 reward for the group of 2 to 10 people who received the most points, and $50 to the individual working alone who collected the most points. The Trail Keepers Foundation, a non-profit organization that strives to maintain and keep open multi-use areas on privately and publicly held lands,  held various fund raising activities throughout the year, and donated the $550 for the cash prizes that were won.

At 9:00 a.m., the participants were off, and trash began flowing into the parking lot of the Shell gas station (event headquarters) shortly after.  Some participants had come down the night before, and had worked up a strategy for attacking the littered landscape of off-highway bliss.  It was official… war had been declared against the garbage of Livingston’s trails.  The Trail Keepers Foundation came through in a HUGE way, donating over 1500 trash bags, 100+ pair of gloves for the event participants to have, and even provided icy cold water, cola, and iced tea for the participants.  Mr. Crafton rode around on his ATV, delivering the much needed supplies to the participants. 

 Junk of all shapes and sizes began to be escorted into the dumpsters by their adversaries, the OHV community.  Several large equipment tires (we’re talking 1200 lb tires), burned out automobiles, tractor trailer/light truck tires, appliances, and general garbage had fallen prey to the trash totin’ warriors.  Workers plugged along diligently, scavenging anything that resembled garbage, not leaving any section of the trails untouched.

 By 4:00p that afternoon, the collective roar of gasoline powered engines had quieted, the event goers had gathered, and all three of the 30 cubic yard dumpsters were busting at the seams from being stuffed with tons of rubbish.  You could see first hand that the event had been a huge success, and that the participants were all proud that they had taken the time to give back to a sport that they all share and love.

K&I Fourwheelers ended up taking the top prize of $500 home to their club, and had mentioned that they will more than likely be donating the money to another non-profit organization that assists unfortunate children.  The King Family came in an extremely close second place, and was as deserving as K&I.  The King’s were rewarded with free event t-shirts for their effort.  Dune Buggies, Inc. came in third place in the team trash ropin' event.  Even though there was no prizes offered for 3rd place, Dune Buggies, Inc. cleaned up on the raffle... a reward for the hard effort they put in.

In the individual event, Steven Porter took home the $50 top prize by hauling in enough trash by himself to earn a total of 25 points.  Evelyn Boone toted enough junk to the dumpsters to earn a close second with 22 points, and earn herself one of the snazzy event T-Shirts.  

Due to the recent developments in our great nation, it was decided by event organizers to have the event t-shirts display some sort or patriotic theme to them, which they did.  A large American Flag surrounded by the words, "Respect our Homeland.  KEEP IT CLEAN" donned the white t-shirts that event goers could purchase.  T-shirts were used to help alleviate some of the costs associated with providing the drinks and gloves for this years event.  As you looked around, you saw American Flags of all sizes flying on ATV's and buggies alike, and an American Flag was proudly flown at full-staff next to the event headquarters tent.  If you would like to purchase an event t-shirt to commemorate this years cleanup, please feel free to do so by contacting Tim Rettig, or by going to The Trail Keepers Foundation website.  To see an example of the graphic on the event t-shirt, please click here.  

 Both Mr. Crafton and Mr. Rettig once again put on a top-notch event in coordinating the cleanup effort.  Both men have already begun discussing what changes they can make for next years event to make it even more successful.

 As with any event of this size, there is no way it would be possible with out the support from sponsors and volunteers.  A special THANK YOU goes out to the following people and business’ for an event well planned and well supported.  Local news media were on hand for this years event, and would like to thank the Lexington Herald, for the awesome newspaper article on the event, and Channel 27 - WKYT Lexington for coverage of the cleanup on the 11:00 news.