'Sign war,' all in good fun, breaks out in Kentucky town as local businesses try to bring in more customers

A sign outside First United Bank and Trust Company
in Madisonville, Kentucky, pop. 20,000 (Photo provided)

Locally owned businesses—and at least one church—in Madisonville, Kentucky, population 20,000, are engaging in a goofy "sign war" to drum up more business and, hopefully, a few more smiles. 

The war consists of over-the-top sidewalk signs that often make fun of other businesses. "The war has been ongoing for over a week with no signs of slowing down. More than 70 businesses are partaking in the action," Christopher Leach reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "The Chamber of Commerce has served as the mediator for the war, sharing all the creative signs they see on their Facebook page. One of latest signs to be shared on the page came from Life Apostolic Church, which claimed its 'Sundays' were better than the sundaes offered at Dairy Queen."

Businesses report increased social-media traffic and profits since the sign war began. One local business owner told Leach the goal was to keep it going through the holidays. Click here for more examples.