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The Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau has handed out a record high 19 grants totalling $60,000 to help local organizations publicize their events.

"I wish it was more. This is good for the community," said Sam Ashworth, the board president of the bureau.

Those receiving grants are:

• Middletown Arts Center: $4,850 for year-round art classes, workshops and exhibits. Sandy Maudlin exhibit starts March 28.

• Middletown Lyric Theatre: $2,095 for community theatre series. Next show is "Night Watch," starting April 18.

• Middletown Symphony: $2,050 for annual concert series at Finkelman Auditorium. Next show April 20.

• United Missionary Church: $710 for gospel concert and comedy show held April 27 at Finkelman Auditorium

• Art Central Foundation: $4,200 for events held in the Art Central District of downtown Middletown. Next Got Art starts April 28.

• Middletown Antioch Shrine Club: $885 for annual car show held at Smith Park May 11.

• Blues & Bikes: $1,900 for an annual blues concert and motorcycle ride, June 15.

• Greek Orthodox Church: $1,685 for Greekfest, annual festival celebrating Greek culture and heritage in July.

• MidFirst Ohio Challenge: $8,300 for the hot air balloon event held July 18-20 at Smith Park.

• Sorg Opera Company: $3,640 for concert series featuring opera and musical theater starting in September.

• Middletown Aviation Foundation Corporation: $7,100 for the "Wings of Freedom" airshow to be held at Hook Field Sept. 20-21.

• Whims: $1,220 for a Sept. 26 event held to raise awareness of women's health issues.

• Middletown Youth Soccer: $4,925 for spring blast tournament in March and Middfest Soccer Classic in October.

• Middfest International: $6,650 for the Oct. 3-5 celebration of Mongolia.

• Middletown Pee Wee Football Club: $1,400 for two-day tournament at Douglass Park Nov. 15-16.

• Light Up Middletown: $4,510 for the annual holiday drive-through light display which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year in Smith Park, starting Nov. 28.

• Middletown Civic Chorus: $505 for annual presentation of Handel's "Messiah" at First United Methodist Church during the holiday season.

• Middletown Performing Arts Academy: $2,550 for musical and theatrical education and performance opportunities from this new group.

• Middletown Historical Society: $825 for promotion of planned African-American history museum.

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Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.