The city will host the Showdown in San Angelo drag boat races for a third time next year, a convention and visitors bureau official said.

Pamela Miller, vice president of the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau, said board members with the chamber of commerce have decided to bring the event back after nearly 8,000 people visited the city for this year's races.

About 110 boats participated in the event, which had an estimated economic impact of $980,000.

Miller said the races' timing - the end of June - worked to the city's advantage because some who came to town for the event stayed in San Angelo for the Independence Day holiday weekend.

The drag boat races were one of a handful of events mentioned Tuesday at the chamber of commerce's monthly luncheon. The luncheon focused on the community benefits of sports tourism.

Miller said youth sports tournaments are "one of our best returns on investment." She said such events typically draw athletes' families to the community as well.

"They fill our hotels, they shop in our stores - they're like a convention, really," Miller said.

By Jayna Boyle (Contact)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Source Google Alerts