Clanton citizens have less than two weeks to get their yards primped and pruned for this year’s Clanton Beautification Awards.

The awards are an annual incentive for residents to beautify their homes and property for the spring season.

“If you’ve got a beautiful, clean, neat city, it encourages people to come in,” Clanton Beautification Board member Ann Baker said. “We just want to encourage people to clean up on the outside and make their homes and yards look as nice as they possibly can.”

The city’s rubbish and limb trucks will be picking up for clean-up week from Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15. Then, a panel of judges will ride through the city and present the Beautification Awards May 18.

Yards will be judged in several categories, including: overall appearance (50 points), color variety (10 points), landscaping (10 points), neatness of home and yard (10 points), how well groomed (10 points) and structural appearance (10 points).

Three awards are presented each year for the most beautiful business, historical residence, and home.

“I think beautifying our city is real important because so many people coming through town have made comments,” Baker said. “It encourages people to get off the interstate and come into town.”