GATLINBURG (WATE) – Gatlinburg is celebrating “Going Green” this week with its annual Earth Week Celebration featuring events designed to share easy green practices through games, crafts, music and opportunities to get outside.

The festivities started Tuesday morning with the Spur Clean Up. Gatlinburg partnered with Keep Sevier Beautiful to pick up trash along the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Spring Cleaning Super Recycling is Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. People can drop off their recyclables at the Gatlinburg Recycling Collection Center, 1865 East Parkway. Goodwill will also be taking donations and the Gatlinburg Police Department will provide safe medicine disposal.

The climax of the week is the eighth annual Earth Day Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mynatt Park. Everyone is welcome to attend for free activities and games, craft stations and live music from Tuatha Dea and Boogertown Gap. Earth Week T-shirts featuring the artwork of a local student will be available for purchase.

Runners and walkers can take par tin the Earth Day 5K Run/Walk in Downtown Gatlinburg at 10 p.m. on Friday, April 24. It is an officially sanctioned USA Track and Field event. Race day registration begins at 8 p.m. at Nantahala Outdoor Center, or you can register online at www.gatlinburg.com/events.

Finally, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 25 with special activities at all three of the Park’s visitor centers. Children and their families can join in a variety of free, hands-on activities. A few of the natural and cultural opportunities that will be available include Ranger-guided walks, historic toy making, the making of dinner bells at a blacksmith shop, and visiting touch tables with animal skins, skulls and scat.

For more information about Earth Week and other Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring events, visit www.gatlinburg.com/events or call (800) 588-1817.