PITTSFIELD, Mass. - More than 250 volunteers representing dozens of local businesses and groups stopped by to help with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.'s Spring Cleanup.

The event held annually in the spring and fall seems to be growing. Managing director Rebecca Brien said Friday marks the biggest turnout they’ve ever had.

“I really think that downtown Pittsfield right now is on the verge of exploding in the greatness," Brien said. "And I think all of these people understand that it takes a community to support our downtown and really just want to be part of it.”

Teams began the day by grabbing supplies from DPI and heading to their assigned areas to clean. Downtown Pittsfield said the number of volunteers who live and work in the area is a sign of community pride.

“My husband, and I live downtown, so it's in our personal interests to have a nice downtown," Sheila Kerber said. "I walk downtown once, twice a day.”

Sheila Kerber is on the board of Pittsfield Beautiful, another local nonprofit dedicated to making the city’s public areas more welcoming. Kerber said she hopes the spirit of keeping Pittsfield clean lasts beyond the Friday afternoon clean up.

“This is the first year Pittsfield Beautiful has done this," Kerber said. "It demonstrates that people are interested in having a nice downtown, really. I think we've seen it, you know, before off and on but especially today. So, we'd like to keep it up!”

A panel evaluated the cleanup efforts. While volunteers competed for bragging rights, the judges said contributions from every team were under consideration.

“I'd say we're seeing a lot of enthusiasm," cleanup judge and city councilor Patrick Kavey said. "The wind is definitely not helping, though, when they're sweeping.”

“It's looking very good, very good," cleanup judge and city councilor Kenneth Warren said. "I mean, you can look up and down and it looks very clean.”

“We're really blessed to have so many people that want to volunteer," cleanup judge and Downtown Pittsfield marketing coordinator Kim Gritman said. "And we hope that they'll come out and volunteer for other things.”

“Thank you," Brien said. "Thank you. Thank you for coming down and helping us and helping our city and helping our community.”

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is also collaborating with the city of Pittsfield who will make runs with street sweepers and pick up all the yellow bags filled by volunteers following the cleanup.

The event ended with all the teams gathering at Hot Plate Brewing Co. for awards.