DURHAM – Durham residents who are tackling spring cleaning projects can drop off their bulky waste and take in a number of town-wide events on Saturday, May 18, during an ad hoc celebration of spring and community.

An annual rite of spring in Durham, the bulky waste cleanup will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Durham Eureka Community Center Field. According to Town Administrator Janet Smith, it is the only bulky waste day of the year and reserved for Durham residents, who must show a driver’s license or a utility bill with a current Durham address to drop their goods.

“At one time we did this twice a year, but the turnout wasn’t that great in the fall,” said Smith. “There is no charge other than for passenger car and pickup truck tires.”

Commercial waste, garbage, household trash, recyclable items, hazardous wastes and car batteries will be accepted. According to Smith, accepted items include refrigerators and air conditioners with the Freon removed, appliances, furniture, mattresses and box springs, large metal items, scrap, storm doors, outdoor furniture, large plastic items and toys. There will be no charge for electronics such as televisions, monitors, computers under 26 inches, fluorescent light bulbs and batteries. Pine Tree Waste collects the items and Durham supplies the manpower, said Smith.

For Durham residents who are physically unable to load items and have no means of disposal, the volunteers of the Eureka Committee, who help maintain and coordinate events for the building known as the old Grange Hall but now serves as a community center, will pick up items that need to go to bulky waste collection site.

“We have doing this for bulky waste day for a number of years and started the pickup to help folks out who couldn’t make it over,” said Eureka Committee member and volunteer Anita Sellars. “It’s lasted over the years from when we were the Grange to now as the community center The committee does ask for a $25 donation for each load.”

In addition to lending a helping hand or two for the cleanup, the Eureka Committee has scheduled a plant sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., also at the Durham Eureka Community Center. The sale will include hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, vegetables and herb plants. The Eureka Cafe? also will be open for business with plenty of chili, hot dogs, chips, cold drinks and coffee. All the proceeds will benefit the Eureka Community Center.

“We are looking for donations of unusual perennial plants because we need a bigger variety and we want to grow. This is a big fundraiser for us,” said Sellars. “Think of an amazing plant you want to buy and we just may have it.”

If art is your thing, the Durham Historical Society is hosting an art show at the Old Town Hall on Route 136 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. According to historical society member Margaret Wentworth, the show features art and artists of all stripes including pottery, traditional landscapes, and even pinhole camera photography.

“The art is whatever comes in,” said Wentworth. “We’re not selling art for them, but the artists are welcome to put a price tag on their work.”

Wentworth said the event keeps growing every year and she looks forward to seeing old friends

“This is our third year and it’s a great chance to catch up with your neighbors,” she said.

For bargain hunters the Durham Friend’s Woman’s Society annual yard sale will be held from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine, at the Quaker Meetinghouse, corner of Route 125 and Quaker Meetinghouse Road. According to organizers, there will be plants, clothing, books, and a lunch counter

And the First Congregational Church is hosting a fair from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at church, 773 Royalsborough Road. The fair will feature local crafters, vendors, farmers, musicians, cheese sale, pie sale, silent auction, a raffle and music by father and daughter duo Jeff Chipman and Larissa Smith beginning at 1 p.m.

“A lot of people will be driving right by the church because of the bulky waste drop-off, so it’s a great location,” said Bettie Kettel, one of the organizers of the church fair. “We have a number of vendors including Pineland Cheese and even Tupperware. There’s assorted gift certificates and lots of other great stuff. “

While not under any particular umbrella, the weekend before Memorial Day in Durham is typically abuzz with activity as the weather improves and people starting gearing up for summer, said Kettel.

“This bulky waste drop-off has happened for a number of years and people really plan activities around it,” said Kettel. “We’re kind of right in the middle, location wise. I think it brings a lot of Durham residents who don’t see each other, it’s a huge town and sometimes you don’t see your neighbors. It’s a chance to get out and see what the community has to offer from the Eureka Grange to the historical society.”