We’re now a week removed from the Fourth of July, and last week the City of Perry finished cleaning up after the celebration.

Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Wilson thought the event went extremely well, but he admitted seeing the aftermath was somewhat upsetting. The parks and recreation department and other City officials gathered on July 5th to start the cleanup of Pattee Park, which included several overflowing garbage cans. However, Wilson was encouraged by the help of one special volunteer.

“A very special thank you to our one volunteer who showed up, who was 10-years-old. Aiden Parminter, at 7 o’clock the next morning with a stick and a nail, and a bucket, and picked up trash with all of us for a couple hours. He saw how dirty it was, and it was making him a little upset, and he asked how he could help. And I invited him along, and he came, and it was awesome.”

Looking ahead to next year, Wilson says they have some different ideas for the garbage issue. He’d like to make the cleanup easier on the parks and rec crew, and he believes solving the garbage can riddle will go a long way towards that.