By Joel Spears

SURGOINSVILLE - Although Surgoinsville's Annual Riverfront Festival is a few months away, the festival committee wants people to start celebrating early.
    Committee Chairman Merrell Graham yesterday unveiled the festival's 2009 logo and he said items such as T-shirts, hats and hoodies are already available for purchase.
    "We first started talking about a new logo earlier this year," Graham said.  "At first we wanted a train, then I said surely you want a train by the water.  That was followed by including the Long's Bend Bridge, and there was our design."
    Graham said he, along with William and Betty Bass began the original concept from photos and concepts.  The committee also received help from Terry Owen of Rogersville's Simply T-rific who printed the finished product, as well as local artist Jim Caswell who completed the design.
    Graham said Caswell also designed the 2008 Riverfront logo.
    "Overall, we spent three to four weeks finalizing the design this year," Graham said, " and I believe people will be very pleased with the new look and how the Surgoinsville community is reflected in the design."
    Merchandise with th 2009 Riverfront Festival logo is available for purchase at Dairy Mart, Cliffhanger Video and other business locations in Surgoinsville.