Whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle, navigating the streets of Ironton may be a little more difficult this weekend as the Rally on the River rolls into town.

The annual motorcycle event running through Sunday will attract thousands of people to Ironton for the downtown festival.

This is a positive influx of people — and their disposable income — from all walks of life.

Today’s motorcycle enthusiasts are hardly the bikers of days gone by.

Many are doctors, lawyers, bankers, business owners and other professionals looking for a way to unwind.

But an event of this magnitude isn’t without its challenges or potential pitfalls.

Ironton and all of southern Ohio will certainly show off its Southern hospitality but it is important that visitors realize this is our home and we hope they treat it with the respect they would expect at theirs.

In past years, the rally has caused very few problems and most of the arrests over that weekend were not associated with the event.

But there is also a responsibility by local residents to represent our region well.

The rally, put together by the Friends of Ironton grassroots civic club, is a positive for the region because it creates an instant tourism industry and offers close-to-home entertainment for those who already live here.

Anything that injects money and commerce into the Tri-State is a positive thing.

So let the good times — and the money — roll.