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Tourism director says Bigfoot exhibit boosted local business; Red Cedar pathway work and FY2026 budget remain on track
Summary
Tourism Director O'Malley told the Pacific Tourism Commission that a recent Bigfoot exhibit delivered record sales at Red Cedar and hotels filled, while city crews poured concrete for the Red Cedar pathway and staff await FY2026 budget approval.
Tourism Director O'Malley reported record-breaking sales at Red Cedar during a recent Bigfoot exhibit and said hotels in the area were fully booked, a sign she called positive for Pacific's tourism economy.
O'Malley said Red Cedar saw strong sales on Friday and Saturday of the event and that many visitors toured the exhibit; she added that some visitors had to secure hotels in nearby Valley Park because Pacific hotels were full. She described the exhibit as a successful draw and recommended continuing similar programming.
On capital work, O'Malley said crews have begun pouring concrete for the Red Cedar pathway as staff work to wrap up projects for fiscal year 2025 and prepare budget requests for FY2026. She said the commission is waiting on budget approval for 2026 but did not provide specific funding figures at the meeting.
Separately, a commission member reported they expect an invoice from the Washington Town and Country Fair this week and said the commission will pay the invoice this side of the year once received and then assign staffing for the fair. O'Malley and members also outlined a schedule for filming a "Terrific Pacific" promotional video with stops at the library, senior center, Bessinger's, Hoffman's and Sunset on the Rails; organizers invited community participation in the shoots.
No changes to staffing levels or formal budget approvals were made during the meeting; members said they plan to continue events and finalize budget requests in the coming weeks.
