Beattyville/Lee County Tourism and Firefly Hills Kentucky are partnering to host the annual River Clean-Up Paddle to help remove trash from the South Fork Kentucky River and support local environmental conservation efforts, according to a press release.
Originally scheduled for Aug. 15, the event was postponed due to heavy rain and the risk of flooding. The cleanup has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.
Volunteers are welcome to participate by land or water, and those with kayaks, canoes or boats are encouraged to bring them to assist with the cleanup. Those who would like to make a weekend of it can also take advantage of a special camping offer at Firefly Hills. Guests staying Sept. 18–20, will receive a third night free when booking two nights.
Use promo code KYRC26 during online registration.
Event check-in will start at 9 a.m. at 2470 Pine Grove Rd., Beattyville, Ky. 41311. Transportation to the river launch will depart at 9:45 a.m., and the cleanup will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In 2025, volunteers recovered 35 tires from the South Fork during this event with assistance from Friends of Red River, Kentucky Riverkeeper, LiKEN Knowledge and the Lee County Conservation District.
“Environmental stewardship is a core value at Firefly Hills Kentucky, and we’re proud to host an event that encourages both conservation and community involvement,” said Tonja Lesmeister, owner of Firefly Hills. “This cleanup is one of our favorite events of the year because it brings together people who care about the outdoors, the river, and our local community.”
“Lee County Tourism has been promoting paddling and recreation on the Kentucky River system for more than 15 years, and we’re proud to now be helping protect the very resource we encourage visitors to enjoy,” said Dedra Brandenburg, director of Lee County Tourism. “Tonja and Troy recently took another group kayaking on the South Fork and counted nearly 300 tires in just five miles of river. That discovery helped inspire a growing partnership focused on cleaning up the river. It may seem like a small number compared to the overall problem, but every tire removed is a step toward a cleaner, healthier river. Now, we are committed to making progress year after year.”
Brandenburg added, “The Kentucky River is one of Lee County’s greatest natural assets. We invite everyone to join us on Sept. 19 and be part of these cleanup efforts.”
For more information, visit https://www.fireflyhillskentucky.com/upcoming-events/river-cleanup-paddle or call 606-208-0993.
