There could be a lot of “trash talking” at Brant’s Crossing on Saturday.

But that’s a good thing for the 18th annual Grand River Environmental Festival, which includes a collection of garbage from the banks of the Grand.

“A lot depends on the weather, of course, but it looks like it’s going to be a nice day and, if the weather holds, I’m thinking we’ll get close to 300 volunteers,” said Tracey Bucci, president of the Grand River Environmental Group. “There is a lot of interest in the festival and people see that that there is a problem with garbage in the community.

“They want to do their bit and this is a good way to help make the community look a little better and cleaner.”

The festival starts at 9 a.m. at the pavilion at Brant’s Crossing, behind Elements Casino. The cleanup will be followed by a barbecue at noon catered by the Sherwood Restaurant and Catering and live music provided by the Boom Babiez and The Joey Vinegar Trio.

The festival aims to promote awareness of pollution in the city and to discourage littering. Wanting to do something to improve the community, Bucci started the event when she was a student at Laurier Brantford and enrolled in an environmental program.

In the first year, Bucci was joined by about 50 people, mostly Laurier students.

Over the years, volunteers have picked up pylons, barrels, a lot of used coffee cups, food wrappers and broken glass. One year, volunteers stumbled upon the carcass of a small animal.

“It was about seven or eight years ago that we started finding used syringes,” Bucci said. “Back then, it was just a couple.

“Now, it’s a ridiculous number of needles that we find each year.”

Gloves and garbage bags are provided to the volunteers, who also get fluorescent tape to use to flag areas containing needles, broken glass and other hazardous material.

“We always begin each cleanup with a talk about safety,” Bucci said. “Volunteers are not to touch hazardous materials, like needles.

“We want to make each clean up fun and safety is a priority.”

Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear good shoes.

Bucci said she is grateful for the support she has received from the community for the festival, which costs about $5,000 to put on.

“There are a lot of people who have really stepped up and I appreciate it,” Bucci said.

She cited support from Steve Charest and Pete Kyte of King and Benton development company, Six Nations elected chief Ava Hill, Brantford Brant MPP Will Bouma MPP and city councillors Rick Weaver, Cheryl Antoski and Joshua Wall.

Tim Hortons is providing coffee and Timbits and Grand River Experiences, of Paris, is also helping with the festival, Bucci said.

She said more sponsors are always welcome.

She can be reached by e-mail at grandriverenvironmentalgroup@gmail.com.

Vball@postmedia.com

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