LEWISTON — It was Kris Lachapelle’s third year taking part in the citywide litter pick-up day, and this year participants were asked to get a little creative.

When registering for the event, groups of people participating together were asked to submit a team name. The team made up of Lachapelle, his wife and mother-in-law went with “Dirty Dedication.”

The team got started around 8:15 a.m. Saturday along with a few dozen others at Kennedy Park, making their way around the downtown streets with trash bags, pickers and buckets provided by Lewiston Public Works.

“We had a little fun with it,” he said about the team name, adding, “It’s a good event and a good cause to make the city someplace that people enjoy.”

According to Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s community relations coordinator, Saturday’s event was a success, with more than 60 people pre-registering for the cleanup, and more walking up to help.

Mayor Carl Sheline and several city councilors took part, as did several members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, who tackled Simard-Payne Memorial Park.

Prior to the event, youth council Chair Ryleigh Emmert said, “The image of our city is not only affected by those who reside in it but also its appearance … cleaning up litter helps Lewiston to act as a safe and enjoyable environment for all of its residents.”

Also on hand were several students and faculty from Bates College, including the swimming and diving team, as well as scouting troops and other local organizations.

Lachapelle, who lives on Farwell Street, said Dirty Dedication walked from the park down Bates Street and back up past Simones’ Hot Dogs and down the Canal Street Alley, filling a bag and a half of trash. When they were wrapping up around mid-morning, Lachapelle said some participants were still arriving to lend a hand. They crossed paths with a large group of students who were tackling Pine and Walnut streets.

The 8 a.m. to noon event, taking place twice a year, is put on by the city’s Public Works Department, which was on hand to dispose of trash and hand out materials.

Public Works Director Mary Ann Brenchick said the communitywide litter pick-up efforts are “a simple, positive activity to do individually or as part of a team with friends, family, or co-workers.”

Sheline added, “Beautifying Lewiston should be an important goal for everyone. How our city looks makes a difference.”