Make no mistake about it, the Rally on the River is about motorcycles, music and having a good time. But it has also grown into a community event that showcases Ironton’s pride and patriotism.

A new partnership between Ironton In Bloom and the American Legion Post 433 will help take that to the next level.

The organizations are teaming up to have a contest to see who can make their home yard or business the most patriotic.

IIB will judge the entries and the winning yard and business will each receive $100 and a plaque from the American Legion.

The deadline to submit entries or nominations is Aug. 10 and can be sent to irontoninbloom@gmail.com or by calling IIB members Jan Wolfe at 532-1030 or Judy Sanders 532-2950.

The contest fits perfectly with two other exhibits during the Rally —the Ohio Flags of Honor and The Moving Wall, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Regardless of what you think about the Rally, it is hard to dispute that it brings people to town and can help inject some economic stimulus the old fashioned way. As events like this are added, it makes it more diverse and offers something for families.

With what they have done with the Ro-Na Theater, the Friends of Ironton and other groups are doing their part to make a difference. Not everyone may agree with the direction, but at least they have one.

Effort trumps apathy every single time.