Organizers of the Jazz on the Grazz event are challenging citizens to pick up trash and create something with it. 

The Jazz on the Grazz recycling contest will be held June 20 as a part of the annual event. The contest requires participants to contrive projects from recycled materials like glass, cans, bottles, old clothes and much more. Councilwoman Angela Benjamin believes the contest promotes awareness about the benefits of recycling.

“It keeps the message out there,” she said. “You can do something else with this stuff, rather than trash it.”

Anyone 6-and-older can contribute toward recycling and submit a project. The age groups for the contest are 6-11, 12-18 and 19-and-older.

Participants are allowed to enter one recycled project in each of the six categories: crafts, toys, furniture, clothes and accessories, arts and miscellaneous.

The projects will be judged on creativity, appearance, time required, cost, originality and availability of materials.

“It is supposed to be as efficient as possible, which means most of the materials used should be stuff you already have lying around,” Benjamin said.

“It shouldn’t cost you anything unless you have to go to the store to buy some glue or something.”

The first place winner in the six to 11-year-old age group will win $25, while the runner-up will get $10.

The 12 to 18-year-old winner will win $35 while the runner-up will win $15.

The adult first place winner will walk away with $50, while the second place winner will win $25.

An overall grand prize of $100 will be given to the person with the best project from all age groups. Individuals can place within their age groups and still take home the grand prize.

“We want all age groups to get involved,” Benjamin said. “We want to see some exciting projects.”

The contest will be held at Jazz on the Grazz at Phoenix Park.

Participants are asked to set up their projects between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

For more information, call 349-5389.