Shelton — Ernesto Diedrich of the Chamber of Commerce reported on third-quarter visitor services and the Chamber’s visitor-center operations, and Christmas Town Kiwanis representatives summarized economic impacts from the Bluegrass Festival.

Diedrich said the Chamber hosts visitor services at the downtown Caboose and an auxiliary office and that the Hoodsport office is funded largely by the county lodging-tax dollars. He told council that third-quarter visitor numbers were down year-over-year, which the Chamber attributes largely to a regional fire that changed visitor plans and access to recreational sites.

The Chamber continues outreach to direct visitors to alternate sites, maintain up-to-date closures with partners such as the National Park Service and update online information (including Google listings) so visitors arriving locally have current guidance.

Bluegrass Festival organizer Colvin (representing Christmas Town Kiwanis) told the council the 20th Bluegrass Festival drew about 1,800 attendees, of whom 278 stayed in local hotels and short-term rentals and about 265 camped on-site at South Bay Youth Soccer Park. “This year, approximately 1,800 people attended,” Colvin said, and noted visitors came from several states and contributed to local restaurant, grocery and fuel sales.

Council members thanked organizers and noted the benefit of cultural events to the downtown economy. The presentations were informational; no council action was taken.

Provenance: Chamber presentation by Ernesto Diedrich and Bluegrass presentation by Colvin reported in the meeting transcript.