LAPLACE — Due to inclement weather forecast, today’s 2015 Spring Clean Sweep has been postponed until May 9.

St. John the Baptist Parish Public Information Officer Baileigh Rebowe said she does not believe participation will be greatly impacted with the event’s four-week delay.

“We look forward to a successful event,” she said.

Participants who already signed up do not need to re-register. Those who have pre-registered are asked to notify their group of the date change.

Registration for May 9’s event is open to new participants by contacting Dana Milioto at 985-652-9569. Participants can also email d.milioto@sjbparish.com or sign up at sjbparish.com.

The ninth annual Spring Clean Sweep will now take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 9. across the parish, with Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park on Highway 51 in LaPlace serving as a staging and celebration center.

The Clean Sweep committee has assigned volunteer groups specific areas in which to clean and is encouraging more individuals, church groups and service organizations to join in the effort.

These coordinated cleans sweeps take place each spring and fall in St. John the Baptist Parish.

“The successes of our clean up efforts are attributed to our volunteers,” Parish Communication Director Paige Falgoust told L’OBSERVATEUR previously. “Normally, there are around 300 volunteers that participate, but this year we are hoping to see more. It would be wonderful to have a crowd of 500 volunteers for this year’s event.”

Supplies such as trash bags, safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and more will be distributed at 8:30 a.m. at the park May 9.

Following May 9’s Clean Sweep efforts, organizers plan to hold a dedication to Thomas F. Daley at noon at the park. Daley gave 30 years of public service to St. John before passing away earlier this year. He was a longtime proponent of community cleanup efforts.

At the end the day to celebrate a great parish-wide cleanup effort, volunteers and groups are welcomed back to the park for food and drinks. Residents and businesses are encouraged to adopt areas to clean and continue beautification efforts throughout the year.

— By Gladys Davis Mulkey