Thorsby citizens and town leaders made the first Take Pride in Your Town Day a success Saturday, removing 87 bags of litter from the streets.

Eight groups met at Richard Wood Park and went their separate ways cleaning up different parts of the town. Twenty participants showed up at 8 a.m., and more turned out later.

“We’re just appreciative of everyone that showed up,” Mayor Dearl Hilyer said. “We’ve got people from ages 6 to 70 working today.”

Thorsby council member Tara Jewell, the event’s coordinator, said more people might have participated had it not been for Mother’s Day and youth athletic events. But she said she was pleased with the turnout.

“We challenged everyone, even if they couldn’t come, to pick up a bag of trash,” Jewell said. “We’re hoping it will catch on.”

Jewell said Take Pride in Your Town Day not only beautified the town but also gave community members a chance to fellowship with each other.

Represented in the groups that participated were Thorsby council members, Thorsby Police Department, Thorsby Fire Department, Collins Chapel No. 2 Fire Department, The Lighthouse Church, Thorsby School, and individual citizens.

There were also several business and community sponsors that helped make the event possible.

The litter collected Saturday will be weighed for a grand total, Jewell said.