By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham is looking to “go a different route” with the city’s annual Pelham Pride Day, and is offering a prize to rename the event, said Mayor Gary Waters.

The Pelham Beautification Board kicked off the contest on Feb. 11, and will accept entries through Feb. 28. Through the contest, Pelham residents can suggest new names for the event, and the winning entry will receive a prize from Staples.

In the past, groups have spread out across the city on Pelham Pride Day to help clean U.S. 31 and complete projects at Pelham’s parks and local nonprofit organizations.

Waters said traffic has increased on U.S. 31 over the years, and said picking up trash on the highway could present safety risks.

“The dynamic of our traffic has changed over the years, and we really shouldn’t have our kids out there picking up trash on the side of the road,” Waters said.

The new event will be held at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena on Saturday, July 13 from noon-5 p.m., and will feature children’s activities, free ice skating and live entertainment.

The new event will also include “A Taste of Pelham” featuring local restaurants and caterers, and local businesses and vendors will have booths set up at the Civic Complex.

“We hope to see you at this fun event, as we celebrate the true pride of Pelham, our residents,” read a city press release.

To submit a name for the new event, visit Pelhamonline.com and click on the “Rename Pelham Pride Day Contest” link, or contact mayor’s assistant Paula Holly at 620-6403 or email pholly@pelhamonline.com.