The Ironton Tribune and the Ironton Business Association are inviting their neighbors – and friends – to help celebrate the city’s sesquicentennial Thursday.

Wednesday, August 18, 1999

The Ironton Tribune and the Ironton Business Association are inviting their neighbors – and friends – to help celebrate the city’s sesquicentennial Thursday.

Both organizations are hosting a free watermelon social from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday on The Tribune’s parking lot as part of the Ironton Sesquicentennial Committee’s call for neighborhood block parties during August.

Everyone present will be able to pull up a chair, eat a slice of watermelon and listen to the music of Southern Thunder – a local band last seen at the Lawrence County Fair.

There also will be fun-filled activities for children, and River Valley Health System representatives will register children with the KidCare ID program.

The first 40 children on the lot will receive a pot of soil so they can try to grow their very own watermelon vine from a seed.

Adults will have a chance to take something home, as well.

Door prizes will be given away through a random drawing.

And there will be a celebrity present, too.

Kyle Taylor of Pedro will attend as honorary watermelon expert. He won a prize at the Ohio State Fair this year for having the largest watermelon. He will be recognized at the social.

Water will be provided by Hecla Water Association, and for those who want something to drink with their watermelon can purchase a Pepsi product for only 30 cents a can.

Admission to the social is free – as is the watermelon. Residents should, however, bring a lawn chair if they want to stay awhile and listen to the music.

Watermelon social sponsors include Weber’s Florist & Gifts, Hecla Water Assoc., Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Franklin Furnace, Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary and Mootz Farm.