Magnolia Festival draws record crowds and boosts local economy

During a recent government meeting, officials reviewed the success of various local events, including the Magnolia Open and the Magnolia Festival, highlighting their positive economic impact on the community.

Mike DeLauro presented a wrap-up of the Magnolia Open, which attracted 145 players and 389 total guests, resulting in the use of 77 hotel rooms for an average stay of 2.25 nights. Discussions revealed that the event's popularity is growing, with plans for a potential national tournament next year, aiming to expand the Magnolia Festival into a two-week event featuring both professional and amateur competitions.

The Magnolia Festival also reported strong attendance, achieving a 92% hotel occupancy rate across local accommodations, including bed and breakfasts and RV parks. Despite concerns about rain, officials noted that the weather did not deter crowds, and the festival remained profitable, primarily due to carnival revenues.

The meeting also touched on the Durant Riding Club, which experienced good attendance despite rain, and the cornhole tournament, which had to double its prize money to attract participants after rescheduling. The cornhole event was deemed successful, with hopes for future regional or national tournaments.

Lastly, the city’s first annual sports festival in June attracted over 8,800 attendees, showcasing the community's capacity to host large-scale events. Officials emphasized the importance of gathering detailed data from event organizers to better understand the impact of grants and community engagement in future events.