Adopt-A-Parking Meter sponsored by IBA again
Published 12:00 am Monday, November 24, 2003
With a little help from some caring volunteers, some of Ironton's normally Scrooge-like parking meters are about to find a little Christmas cheer.
For the second year, the Ironton Business Association is sponsoring a downtown Adopt-A-Parking-Meter campaign. The event is a contest of sorts in which residents and business owners decorate one of the city's parking meters for Christmas.
Ironton resident Mark Compston, last year's IBA president, created the project last year and is spearheading the effort again this year.
"In the past, we had just put bags over the top of the meters," Compston said. "It was functional, but that's it.
"This way it makes it look more festival and gets people involved in downtown," he said.
This year's contest will begin the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Judging will be held on Dec. 15. Three awards will be presented at the IBA's meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the City Center on South Third Street. Refreshments will be served.
Compston said the three awards are the Holiday Spirit Award (given to the best decorated entry), the President's Award (given to the most creative entry) and the Meter Maid Award (given as an honorable mention). Winners will receive donated prizes provided by local businesses.
"The only rules are that has to be in good taste and to make it clear to the parking patrons that they do not have to feed the meter," Compston said. "The only limit to the size (of the decorations) is that it does not block the street or the sidewalk."
The city normally covers up the meters during the holiday season and does not require a parking fee.
In last year's event, Compston estimated that about 50 to 60 of the city's approximately 300 meters were decorated, though some more ornately than others.
The contest is free and open to anyone. In order to keep track of which meters are being decorated, contact the IBA at 532-7363 or Compston at 1-800-562-8974 to ensure the meter you wish to decorate has not already been reserved.
"This gets people into downtown Ironton," Compston said. "(Last year) we got some calls from as far away as Jackson, and of course around the area. If we can get a festive atmosphere in downtown Ironton, that can only be good for Ironton."