Story Created:
Apr 17, 2009 at 3:46 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Apr 17, 2009 at 4:26 PM EDT
NOTRE DAME — Plenty of alumni are in town to see Notre Dame's Blue-Gold football game Saturday. That’s bringing a welcomed boost to the local economy.
The St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce says 25 percent of the county's 4,500 hotel rooms are booked this weekend. On a normal football weekend, that number is obviously much higher, but this is a welcomed increase for area hotels, restaurants and stores.
Most of the alumni and Notre Dame fans in town for the Blue-Gold game are spending their money here this weekend.
“I think everyone needs to look at this and say, 'Wow, this is great. We're bringing extra people into our community for a weekend, and whatever level that is, we're going to accept it with open arms at this point,’” said Lynn Kachmarik with the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Hopefully for us, it's a boost in the right direction and we're going to see just a little more growth as we move toward the summer.”
The Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Chamber of Commerce say they're hoping some events this summer will help boost the economy as well.
One example is the Enshrinement Festival this year. They've vamped it up a little bit and added a few activities, hoping to draw even more people into the South Bend-Mishawaka area.
And for the 19th year in a row, they're unveiling "The Shirt" at the campus bookstore Friday. Watch WSBT News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. for more on the unveiling of "The Shirt 2009."
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Visiting the area for the weekend? Click here for Things to Do!
