Music, food and even a chance to meet and mingle with your neighbors.

This year’s Ironmaster Days activities in downtown Ironton will feature nightly entertainment, a baby beauty contest and an art show.

The seventh annual event will be Thursday-Saturday. It is sponsored by the Ironton Business Association as a way of drawing more attention to what Ironton has to offer.

“We just want to see more in downtown Ironton,” IBA President Rich Patrick said. “We want people to see that yes, we have Unger’s and Guy’s Floor Covering and The End Zone and a lot of nice places. You don’t have to drive to Huntington or Ashland to get good deals. What we’re saying is, ‘look what we have to offer.’”

Activities will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“We will have food vendors and games for the kids. M&M Inflatables will be there,” Patrick said.

At 8 p.m. The Edge will perform.

Again Friday, activities begin at 6 p.m. with The Fugitives taking the stage at 8 p.m.

The opening ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. Saturday during which time a local citizen will be honored with the annual Ironmaster Award. After the opening ceremonies, contestants in the baby beauty contest may sign up at the Ironton City Center. There will be prizes awarded in nine categories, Patrick said. Contestants are asked to wear their “Sunday best”. Children from birth to age 15-plus are invited to compete.

The city center will also host an art show from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., historian Richard Pawling will present his ironmaster interpretation. At 8 p.m. Lee McCormack will perform.

The Ironmaster Days activities downtown are in conjunction this year with the Vesuvius Iron Furnace Festival, also this weekend at Lake Vesuvius. Both are meant to draw attention to and celebrate Lawrence County’s heritage.