At night, folks have been known to paint the town red by hopping from bar to bar in downtown Oxford.

But Glenn Pape, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is hoping to find some enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to “paint the town black” on Saturday, May 4.

Folks are invited to grab a rake or pick up a paintbrush and participate in the DDA’s Community Cleanup from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All of the work will take place within the four quadrants that make up downtown’s historic district.

“Our (Department of Public Works) is only five guys and they’ve got a lot of other stuff to do. This is just an opportunity for people to volunteer, get out (of the house) and make the community look better,” Pape said.

Volunteers are being sought to rake, weed and mulch the landscape beds in the parking areas. Pape said folks are also needed to “paint everything black that’s supposed to be black,” including benches, trash receptacles, planters and the fence that surrounds Centennial Park.

“We’re not going to touch the flower beds in the park,” noted Pape, because they’re already cared for by the Oxford Garden Club and Oxford Beautification Commission.

Volunteers are welcome to sign up for two-hour shifts or stay all day. A free lunch will be provided by the 5-1 Diner.

“I’m hoping it will generate a sense of ownership in the downtown,” Pape said. “It’s their downtown and if they help take care of it, it makes it easier for us to keep it nice.”

To register as a volunteer, visit the Oxford Community Forum Facebook page for a link to the SignUpGenius website.