Tribune editorial staff

As we drove past the former Ironton Iron site on Thursday, we couldn't help but smile. How could we resist? Part of it was clean and ready for a little activity this weekend.

Of course, as we thought about our unabashed smile, we realized it had multiple origins.

First, how exciting to see a group of locals step up and get so excited about their home that they dream up an entirely new event to help bring in outsiders to spend money here. The Friends of Ironton have spent countless hours planning, organizing and preparing for the Rally on the River.

For motorcycle and car enthusiasts, the motor-related events are sure to be a hit. For non-motor enthusiasts, free entertainment in downtown and a special parade on Saturday are certain to be popular as well.

The weather forecasters predict gorgeous weather over the weekend, which eliminates one concern organizers had.

The Friends of Ironton deserve our thanks for their hard work in organizing the event. Although organizers are predicting more than 2,000 motorcyclists alone, even if only a fraction of that attended, the event would still be a success.

In addition to our smile over the Rally on the River, how fitting, we thought, that a portion of this weekend's Rally on the River will be held at the former Ironton Iron site.

Perhaps the event, sponsored by the Friends of Ironton, will be the start of something new.

The City of Ironton has expressed interest in purchasing the land once occupied by the former industrial giant.

And we'd love nothing more than for something to be done with the barren site. With some ingenuity and some funding, perhaps one day soon, the Ironton Iron site will truly be a reason to have a Rally on the River.