In an area that severely lacks entertainment opportunities for young and old alike, I find it interesting how city leaders and businesses come up with ways to beat the doldrums.

The city’s Rendezvous on the Road Series is a popular night out during the fourth Friday of each month. The Series resumed March 25 and goes through August.

The aim of the Rendezvous on the Road Series is to attract customers to downtown Bogalusa businesses to shop and meet with friends. The last Rendezvous was on May 22 and businesses reported brisk sales. Merchants said it was one of the better evenings for business in quite some time.

Since the city eliminated the Main Street Program on April 7, volunteers have helped to organize the most recent events. Hopefully they’ve gotten all the kinks worked out and the Rendezvous on the Road Series is off and running toward a successful business season.

Bogalusa native Vernon Dillon has been keeping up with his hometown through the Internet. Dillon currently lives in Xenia, Ohio, a city of approximately 26,000. Xenia is on the outskirts of Dayton.

Dillon called the Daily News to report Xenia has a program similar to our Rendezvous on the Road Series. Xenia has Downtown Now and is staged on the first Friday of each month. He said the program is very successful.

In the same vein as The Rendezvous events, the first annual Summer Fest is scheduled for tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. on Louisiana Avenue. Louisiana Avenue-area businesses had a similar experience on May 1, but a few more businesses are scheduled to participate in the fun tonight.

Participating merchants include Union Square Daiquiris, LNC, Chrissy’s Restaurant, Yoyo’s Mexican Restaurant, Golden Pear Restaurant and Coach’s Po-Boys. Businesses that will have booths set up include Tucker’s Fine Consignment, AK Creations and NOLA Bikinis.

The popular Eli Seals Band is scheduled to play on the median. Good music always attracts customers. I have been told Eli Seals is a band to see and hear.

Union Square Daiquiris Manager Amy Jenkins said the band should be a major attraction tonight.

“With the Eli Seals Band, I think more people will be coming out,” Jenkins said. “He has cut records, and a lot of people love seeing his band perform.”

For the children, snoballs and a bounce house are scheduled to be on site.

I believe most anything businesses can do to attract people to their establishments is a good thing. Children might not be the main attraction for Summer Fest, but their parents definitely are. It’s the parents who have the jingle in the pockets. But whatever local merchants can do to attract customers to their establishments is crucial to remaining in business. That is what all the entertainment is all about.

Randy Hammons is a Daily News staff writer. He cane be contacted at 985-732-2565 or by email at randy.hammons@thebogalusadailynews.com.