One of Ironton’s beautification civic groups is taking its fall decorating in a new direction this year.

Instead of filling the more than 60 large planters across town with flowers, Ironton In Bloom is calling on the community to help decorate.

The summer flowers will be removed this weekend and Carol Allen, IIB president, said the group is taking entries for groups or individuals to take charge of the planters for the fall season.

“We are asking organizations, groups, individuals, school classrooms, anyone who wants to do it,” Allen said. “They buy the flowers and they maintain it.”

Businesses are also encouraged to sponsor the planters in front of their store.

Entry fees are $25 per planter and can included any kind of fall decorations, Allen said, excluding Halloween decorations. Pots on Park Avenue will be assigned first.

“It can be corn shucks and bales of hay,” Allen said. “Anything that is truly fall. It can be just mums or pansies. The whole idea is just to maintain the beauty and the welcoming spirit of Ironton.”

IIB is asking interested groups to have their displays ready by Sept. 16 and they must maintain and water their own pots.

Judging for the contest will be Oct. 21. First place winner will receive $100. A second place prize of $50 and third place prize of $25 will be contingent upon number of entries.

The displays must be removed by Nov. 18.

To enter the contest, participants can mail their name, address, phone number and location of pot desired along with the entry fee to Ironton In Bloom, P.O. Box 4599, Ironton, OH 45638. Checks should be made out to Ironton In Bloom, Inc.