🌎Chris Higgins Earth Day 26 Cleanup and Festival🌎

Payson, Arizona | April 18th, 2026

Estimated Attendance: 800–1200 Residents

Hosted in partnership with:

• Town of Payson

• Inspiration Martial Arts

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• The Longest Table

• Humane Society of Central Arizona

• Local First Arizona

  
  
  
  

🌿 Morning: Community Cleanup

The day begins with multiple cleanup sites across Payson.

A youth-led, family-friendly site at Walmart will be hosted by Inspiration Martial Arts, empowering emerging leaders to take ownership of their community. In partnership with the Humane Society of Central Arizona and Local First Arizona, an adoption-centered cleanup location will also invite families to serve and support local rescue efforts.

Residents of all ages will work side by side — removing litter, improving shared spaces, and modeling stewardship for the next generation.

Loving our town starts with caring for it.

🍽️ Afternoon: Festival at Green Valley Park

Following the cleanup, the community will gather at Green Valley Park for The Longest Table Festival.

Together, we will build one long, shared table — a symbol of unity and belonging.

As a community, we will:

• Set up together

• Share a meal together

• Enjoy live music and local artists

• Visit vendors

• Play yard games

• Connect in conversation

Burgers, hot dogs, sides, and vegetarian options will be served as neighbors sit side by side in an intentional slowing down.

This is more than a festival — it is a shared civic experience.

At 3:00 p.m., we will break down together, leaving the park as clean and cared for as we found it.

We set up together. We eat together. We celebrate together. We leave together.

💛 The Purpose

• Strengthen civic pride

• Empower youth leadership

• Encourage environmental stewardship

• Support local partnerships

• Create meaningful connection across differences

• Model unity in action

It is an investment in the long-term wellness and identity of Payson.

🌄 The Vision

This event represents something different for our town — a visible demonstration of shared responsibility, kindness, and cooperation.

By combining service with celebration, Earth Day becomes more than a date on the calendar. It becomes a reminder of who we are capable of being together.