McMinnville’s Breakfast Rotary Club and Friends of Our River will be holding the fourth annual River Ride and Clean Up next Saturday, July 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the last three years, the event has pulled well over 11.5 tons of garbage and debris from the two-mile stretch from Pepper Branch to Rocket Park.
Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Pepper Branch Park where participants can sign a release and register for lunch. The float will begin with the first group leaving at 8 a.m., and the last group leaving at 9:30 a.m. The float will end at Rocket Park by 2 p.m., and lunch will be provided for all volunteers at noon.
Breakfast Rotary will provide life jackets, rubber gloves, bags etc. Canoes are being provided by the Boy Scouts, Robert Oaks Adventures, and Friends of Our River. Organizers ask if volunteers have a canoe, kayak, life jacket or horse, to please bring them.
This year Breakfast Rotary will be making the river clean-up a part of a special green weekend with a number of activities designed for the environmentally conscious family. Organizers encourage local residents to plan a weekend of family fun and community service.
Breakfast Rotary has put together four major components for the green weekend. The four components are:
1. Camping at Pepper Branch Park: The city has approved McMinnville Breakfast Rotary’s request to allow camping at Pepper Branch Park the night of Friday, July 22. Bathroom facilities will be provided and picnic tables are available along with all the natural charms of the beautiful river and park. Reservations for this event will need to be made to Janie Robbins at (931) 267-1777 or Neal Cox at (931) 473-3144. 
2. Main Street Live concert: Attend the free concert on Main Street. Food vendors will open for business at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Bring a folding chair and enjoy the music of Thunder Creek and buy a delicious reasonably priced dinner from the food vendors.
3. River clean up: As mentioned, this annual project focuses on a two-mile stretch of the Barren Fork River. Transportation will be available back to Pepper Branch Park to pick up your car after the projet is complete.
4. Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns: To end green weekend activities, attend Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns, only eight miles from Rocket Park. You will need to be at the cave at noon on Saturday so those planning to attend the concert will go on the first two groups (8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m.) to clean up the river for plenty of time to enjoy the river trip and have lunch at Rocket Park. Transportation will take your car and camping gear to Rocket Park to help with the time. A dressing and bathroom facility is available at Rocket Park to get ready for your caving trip. 
This is the fourth year for the river cleanup and more than 11 tons of trash have been removed from this two mile stretch of beautiful river. Organizers point out kayaks, flat-bottom boats and canoes are all great methods of making the trip. Bring the whole family and come and enjoy any or all of the events. To sign up to volunteer, contact Janie Robbins at jrobbins@tntech.edu.
Breakfast Rotary would like to thank McMinnville Noon Rotary Club, Calvary Worship Center, Warren County Saddle Club, Young Men United, city of McMinnville, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Friends of Our River for their support and participation.