POMEROY — Downtown beautification and the summer festival season were the topics of discussion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Pomeroy Merchants Association.

It was noted that mulch and other materials needed for the beds between Main Street and the parking lots are now on hand in preparation for putting flowers in the bed. Alice Wamsley, a master gardener, is chairman of the project. A work day will be set for association members and community volunteers to plant the flowers, a part of the downtown beautification which has been handled by the Merchants Association for many years.

A report was given by Bill Quickel, president, and chairman of the June 5 and 6 Gold Wings and Ribs Festival, on the entertainment and activities planned for that event. He reported that power boat racing is on the Saturday agenda. There will be entertainment on both Friday and Saturday along with a variety of contests, and an art in the park competition on Saturday where both rock and face painting will take place.

This year motorcycle light parades will be held on both Friday and Saturday nights, 9 p.m., along with competitions for Ohio’s best ribs, and Ohio’s best Wings. Gold Wings and Ribs opens the festival season in Pomeroy.

Also noted was the summer music series, Rhythm on the River, which gets underway on June 26, featuring five Friday nights of entertainment in the amphitheater. The ninth annual Big Bend Blue Bash will be held July 30-31 and Aug. 1.

Also announced was a gospel sing in the amphitheater on July 25.

Ways of promoting more business downtown were discussed with Quickel suggested extending hours and more consistent hours as a way of getting in more shoppers.

Advertising was discussed including television spots on Suddenlink cable for which the Tourism Office will donate $1,000. Ads on radio and in newspapers, as a way of promoting business and events were also approved.

As for fundraising, the group discussed possible purchase of a new glass ornament featuring a Meigs County historic scene as another addition to bulb collections. Suggestions included a picture of downtown Pomeroy from the West Virginia side, the Meigs County Courthouse, or the Rocksprings Grandstand.