SOUTHAMPTON — The town’s yearlong 250th anniversary celebration is going strong, with a lineup of community events available this spring.

Community members are encouraged to come and enjoy the warmer weather in the company of their neighbors at any event that sparks their interest. From biking to baking, these celebratory events encourage participation across generations.

Earth Day cleanup

On Tuesday, April 22, members of the community will celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up the town. From 10 a.m. to noon, three groups across three locations will beautify their town and give back to the planet by getting outside and picking up litter.

Adult and youth volunteers are invited to participate. Reflective vests, trash pickers and trash bags will be provided. There will also be a tasty reward for a job well done — pizza and prizes at the Conant Park pavilion.

The three locations for the event will be the Pomeroy Meadow to Glendale Road area, the Gunn Road to Riverdale Road area and the area from Leadmine Road to the Westhampton town line. Participants will meet at the Norris School.

“It’s just a couple hours of getting together and seeing what we can do for those three particular locations,” said Chris Fowles, the town’s Select Board chair, who is also on the committee coordinating these events.

To register and indicate a preferred location for the cleanup, email Fowles at cfowles@townofsouthampton.org.

Community contests May 3

For those in search of some friendly competition, May 3 will be a day of community contests at Conant Park, following that morning’s Little League Opening Day events.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the pavilion on the east side of the park, the town’s bearded residents will show down with “Whisker Wars.” A panel of judges will evaluate competitors in the fastest-growing beard contest, who have been preparing for the contest since January. There will also be three walk-up contests for the longest beard, the most artistic beard, and the “Mountaineer” beard, which will award the wildest, most rugged look.

Nearby, on the east side of the park, there will be a cornhole tournament and a tug-of-war tournament beginning at 1 p.m.

“The more participation, the better it will be — the more competition it will be,” said Police Chief Ian Illingsworth, who is helping to coordinate this event.

Those interested in participating in either of these tournaments should email southampton250th@gmail.com with their team captain’s name, phone number, team name and age group (over 18, 13-17 or 9-12).

Finally, the police and fire departments will compete for bragging rights in a “Battle of the Badges” softball game at about 2:30 p.m. on the baseball field by the pond.

The following day, May 4, there will be a walking and biking event on the Rail Trail in recognition of National Bike Day. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Coleman Road start of the Manhan Rail Trail.

At this event, held in conjunction with Friends of Southampton Greenway, participants will receive bike safety handouts, a Friends of Southampton Greenway brochure, and a handout about the history of the canal and railroad. They will also be entered in a giveaway drawing for bike accessories.

“It’s basically just a day to get out and enjoy the bike trail,” said Fowles.

Parking for this event is available at Coleman Road, Red Rocks or the HSPA Dance parking lot.

For more information about the town’s greenway, visit southamptongreenway.org or email any questions to info@southamptongreenway.org.

Chili cook off, baking contest

Lastly, on May 17, the town will show off its cooking skills — both sweet and savory — with a chili cook off and baking contest at Christ Community Church.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 169 College Highway location, the town can enjoy the talents of its resident bakers and chili connoisseurs. Those interested in entering must simply bring a baked good or crock pot of chili to the church between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded at the end of the event, but participants must be present to win.

Any children in attendance will get to enjoy the playground behind the church, as well as a bounce house.

Any questions about this event can be directed to Chris Ames at ames238@gmail.com.

There will be more events on deck as the town’s 250th year continues, and those interested in pioneering their own celebratory get-together may contact Chris Fowles at cfowles@townofsouthampton.org. To keep up with the town’s 250th anniversary celebrations, visit townofsouthampton.org/special-projects/250th-anniversary.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.