At last week’s meeting of the Lawrence County Commission, Amanda Cleary, director of Ironton-based nonprofit Third and Center, spoke about some of the many activities and events the organization has planned for coming weeks and months.

Over the past few years, the group has earned a reputation for doing great things the past few years in the city, promoting the arts and community beautification through things such as mural artwork, as well as taking over programming at the Ironton Senior Center in the past few months.

The biggest event they have for summer is that the third annual Summer Solstice Music and Arts Festival on the Ironton riverfront on June 8, from noon-9 p.m.

The group is currently finalizing the music lineup and there will be a local makers market, art and artisan vendors and a talent show. The event will also kick off with a children’s fishing event, set for 9-11 a.m.

Prior to that, Third and Center will also be doing their annual restoration of crosswalk art at the intersection of Third and Center streets in Ironton. Children and families are invited to drop by and take part in the event, set for 11 a.m.

This is but a small sampling of what they will offer this year, with things such as youth arts programs and many more events in the works. 

We commend Cleary and her team for all they have done and thank the commission for the support they have given Third and Center. It is things like this that bring life and fun to the region and we need more of it.