Summer is approaching and with it the question of what that means for tourism in Summit County.
At Monday’s Summit County Conversation with Council. Council member Roger Armstrong addressed the counties driving economic industry and its fast-approaching summer season.
“The concern that we had I think in March when we made the hard decision to issue a stay-at-home order, was the fact that travel related cases really kicked-off the infection in this community and that’s where you’d expect it to come,” Armstrong continued. “I think there was a concern that somehow Summit County has issued, or intends to issue prohibitions against visitors coming in to Summit County. I try to let people know that's not what we're doing.”
Armstrong says right now the general public is not excited about getting on an airplane and flying, meaning he suspects most summer travel will be regional.
Summit County Manager Tom Fisher agrees that Summit County should expect visitors in the upcoming months.
“We're going to experience tourism this summer, and that's not just here that's all over the state,” Fisher said. “We know our national parks are either open in some cases, or opening, so we're going to have tourism here. It's going to be the lessons learned from these next few months, that help us figure out how to live with this long term, whatever long term means.”
Fisher also said when it comes to the Summit County Fair this August, they’re going to try and continue to hold competitions while likely eliminating events that draw large crowds.
“For instance, the 4-H competitions, we're going to continue to figure out how to do those,” Fisher explained. “One of the larger things that happens in relation to the fair is the livestock sale, which is very important to our county and its youth. As it provides a lot of money for school, that's going to continuing in some way. What we're really trying to accomplish is keep the things that are absolutely necessary to continue, that develop our youth. Those things that draw large crowds are not going to happen.”
The county has already cancelled the demolition derby and equestrian events.
