Get Swept Up in This

How does a local street sweeping machine become a celebrity? Easily, when your town is full of whimsy. It all started from the Town of Southern Pines Touch-A-Truck event in June, where kids are able to explore fire trucks, police cars, heavy excavators, public safety and utility vehicles. A new street sweeper, of all things, is what revved up the crowd.

Kids and adults alike flocked to the sweeper, commenting on how it resembled the Disney character Wall-E. Due to its unexpected popularity, a vote to name the new machine took place at the most recent Touch-A-Truck event. Sixty different names were entered but Wall-E won by a landslide. “It looks like him. It cleans up like him and it moves a little slow like him,” says Southern Pines Streets Superintendent, Archie Daniels. Like the movie, Southern Pines’ Wall-E is here to clean and keep the streets free of trash and debris.

When Wall-E is out and about, Archie says people are “starstuck.” It stands out compared to older models due to its modern revamp. Previous sweepers have been known to be loud like an airplane jet, while Wall-E’s mechanical and vacuum assists make for a much quieter cleanup. Light sleepers everywhere (okay, in Southern Pines) can thank Wall-E for the improved Zzz’s.

You don’t have to travel to the distant future if you want to see Wall-E, but you might have to get up pretty early. Wall-E hits the streets Monday through Friday, 4 a.m. until around noon. Otherwise, you can look forward to seeing him in upcoming parades and community events. Ta-dah.