DOWNTOWN SERVES SLICE OF SUMMER

The Downtown Merchants Association is sponsoring a break from the summer heat with a "Slice of Summer" all day Saturday, in which people are invited to enjoy a piece of watermelon. Lemonade and balloons will also available.

The watermelon feast marks the first use of the new downtown pavilion at the South Main Street parking lot.

"At the time of year people are looking at the heat, ice-cold watermelon is a positive ingredient of summer," said Downtown Merchants Association president Chuck McGinty Jr.

This is the second year for the event.

Several stores will have promotions and sales tied in with it.

McGinty said the Slice of Summer inaugurates the pavilion, which was first proposed ten years ago in the area's master plan.

"The project is another sign of progress in downtown," he said. "It follows the brick walkways, the clock and the plantscaping already done."

The 20 by 72 foot pavilion has the appearance of an train depot. A water fountain and a flag pole is being added to it in the near future.