It started as a simple challenge between neighbours in 1956. Now the Golden Garbage Can is back, and Estevan wants it.
The light-hearted but meaningful competition between Estevan and Weyburn resumes June 9, with judges touring each city to see which shines brightest.
Councillor Kirsten Walliser is Estevan’s representative and said there have been some changes to the process this year.
“We reviewed their judging rubric and felt that it missed those unique items that make Estevan and Weyburn great places to work and live,” she said.
Walliser credited Weyburn councillor Kelly Sidloski, that city’s representative and one of this year’s judges, for helping shift the focus into more of a celebration.
“There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to spark civic pride,” said Sidloski. “Our residents have stepped up in big ways with community cleanups last month and we can’t wait to show off that effort to the judges.”
The Golden Garbage Can competition began in 1956 to promote community-wide cleanup efforts. It became a cherished tradition, with Weyburn securing more wins than Estevan. The last contest was held in 2010, when Weyburn narrowly edged out Estevan by a score of 31 to 29. After a 15-year break, the event is returning to reignite community pride and collaboration.
Judging criteria includes everything from downtown presentation and school properties to parks, gateways and residential streets. Bonus points are awarded for community creativity, such as murals, flower beds and citizen-led cleanup projects. Judges will score each community out of 55 points.
One of the key areas judges will consider includes entrances to the city.
“Is it inviting? Is it clean? Are the medians well maintained? Does the signage tell you what the community has to offer?” Walliser said.
Public facilities, commercial spaces, potential hazards and overall visual impact will also be evaluated.
“We’re going to really focus on parks, trails, green spaces,” Walliser added. “Officials will be taking a look at whether these help build a safe, welcoming, inviting atmosphere.”
Representatives from the Estevan Garden Club and the Weyburn Horticulture Club will showcase local beautification projects. Walliser said the early June date allows judging to happen before students return home for summer and gardens are fully planted.
“You’re going to see the effects of the communities that have just finished Clean Sweep, that have spent time out in their yards getting ready for spring,” she said. “It’s about celebrating those daily individual contributions that create a clean community.”
Judges will also be looking for the “wow factor” — the details that make a community feel fresh or exciting.
“Councillor Sidloski has selected some areas to be judged in her community, and I have selected some areas in ours that we’re really proud of,” Walliser said. “We want to show the judges that being part of a clean community is just one step toward being part of a welcoming community. That’s really what both cities are trying to achieve.”
Estevan’s tour will include the downtown alleyways that were revitalized by volunteers last year.
“A group of volunteers took time and painted, cleaned and refreshed those kinds of forgotten spaces,” she said.
The city has also supported community cleanup through Free Landfill Weekend and the Clean Sweep campaign.
“This would be a historic win for Estevan,” Walliser said. “Even though the competition goes back more than 50 years, the last city-to-city challenge was [15] years ago. And since then, Weyburn has been proudly carrying the Golden Garbage Can and promoting that civic pride.”
“When we welcome the judges to Estevan, you’ll see us out with a local coffee cup and maybe a dainty from a downtown business,” she said. “And when we get to Weyburn, we’re going to be having lunch at one of their local businesses to really emphasize that hometown tourism feel.”
Walliser said the event is also an opportunity to build regional economic development.
“Not only can we love local and support our own community, but the Golden Garbage Can competition also showcases all the amenities available in both Estevan and Weyburn,” she said. “By celebrating our sister community and spending our tourism dollars there, and their reciprocation in Estevan, all of southeast Saskatchewan is strengthened.”
The winner will be announced later that week and awarded the Golden Garbage Can trophy and bragging rights as the best-kept city in southeastern Saskatchewan.