Welcome to the Downtown party

It’s time to spruce up and put our best foot forward. We’re having company this weekend.

Downtown Poplar Bluff is host today to September Slam at the skate park, the Iron Horse Festival along Main and Vine streets, and SEMOCON at the Black River Coliseum.

In addition to the vendors and bands planned, members of the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff are helping with activities at a Kids Zone, the park department is hosting a pet show, Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot is holding a pancake breakfast and Moark Regional Railroad Museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

While it’s true all of the signs that our historic section of Poplar Bluff has weathered many decades can’t be fixed with one weekend of fun and good spirits, it’s certainly one more step — or leap — in the right direction.

The businesses and community partners already working on downtown are proof that if we keep showing up, so will they.

So if you enjoy seeing the restaurants, retailers and community organizations already located downtown this weekend, please make sure to come back and visit them again soon.

We know from experience that the welcome mat they rolled out for this weekend’s big events is out every day.