“We’re definitely seeing an increase in business beginning Wednesday and Thursday, and we’ve ended up with several teams that are staying here,” said Andy Benson, general manager at the Marietta Holiday Inn on Pike Street.
Benson said there are some rooms still open at the hotel, but they won’t last long.
“I called around to several area hotels on Friday in case we would be overbooked, but there were very few rooms available,” he said.
By Monday afternoon, all 77 rooms at the Lafayette Hotel had been booked for most of the weekend.
“We’re sold out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and there are a few rooms left for Wednesday,” said Elizabeth West, with the Lafayette.
This is the first time Marietta has played host to the NCAA championship.
Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Charlotte Keim said it has been estimated that each visiting family could spend an average of $140 per day in addition to lodging expenses in the Pioneer City.
“We’re talking about a lot of people and a lot of money coming into the community for this event,” she said.
Craig Griffin, manager at The Galley on Second Street, is hoping for a good crowd at the restaurant.
“This looks to be an exciting and busy weekend for us,” he said. “We’re expecting a fairly large crowd.”
Austyn’s restaurant on Front Street is also looking forward to a boost in business this week.
“I’m really excited that Marietta is having a big event like this, and we’re planning to offer some unique dishes this week,” said Austyn’s owner Phi Chen.
He said the restaurant would kick off by offering sushi on Wednesday, in addition to their regular menu, accompanied by music with Simply Ira from 6 to 9 p.m. Additional staff will be on hand to serve the extra guests.
“We’re definitely looking forward to this weekend and to seeing a lot of new faces visiting downtown Marietta,” he said.
Keim noted that the Front Street resurfacing and pedestrian safety upgrade project is scheduled to be completed this week, and flowers are being planted along the streets as well as hung in planters along the Historic Harmar Bridge walkway.
“Visitors can see a world-class sporting event at the stadium, then go back in time in downtown Marietta,” Keim said. “People often pay big money to visit places like Williamsburg, Va., or even Roscoe Village in Coshocton, but here they can have that kind of historic experience for free.”
She added that the area along Greene Street near Don Drumm Stadium, where the track and field events will be staged, has also been landscaped and planted with flowers by the Marietta Morning Rotary Club.
“We’ll be looking pretty for the visitors. Everybody’s trying to make a good first impression,” Keim said. “We don’t want people to just come here once; we want them to have a great experience and return to do some things they may not have time to do because of the events this week.”
Melissa Smith with the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau said the organization is working closely with Marietta College to help make the NCAA championship event a success.
“We’ll have three visitor booths set up to provide directions and information about the Marietta area during all three days of the event,” she said.
Booths will be located at the Hermann Fine Arts Center, Don Drumm Stadium and the ball field adjacent to the stadium.
“People can look for volunteer event staff who will be wearing yellow T-shirts with the Pioneer logo,” Smith said.
Article Photos
MITCH CASEY The Marietta Times
Marietta College employee Sam Meade wheels bundles of hurdles near the track Monday as preparations for the NCAA Division III National
Fact Box
Special eventsTwo special events scheduled in conjunction with this week’s 2009 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships include:
¯ Student athletes, coaches and fans are invited to participate in a Taste of Marietta Downtown Dine Around event, sponsored by the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Local restaurants will be offering specials to anyone wearing their 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship credential or wristband between 4:30 and 9 p.m.
More information is available at packet pickup as well as at welcome tents outside Don Drumm Stadium and the Hermann Fine Arts Building.
¯ A Youth Olympics and Fireworks Night, organized by the Marietta College Track and Field Event Management class, is scheduled for 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Don Drumm Stadium. There will be live music from Results Radio, food and games for children ages 6 to 13. Registration begins at 7 p.m. with the 60-yard dash, high jump, broad jump, and softball/shot throw starting at 8. Marietta track athletes will be on hand to help teach the events to kids. Awards will be given to each participant.
The evening will end with a fireworks celebration expected to begin around 9:15 p.m. This event is free and open to all student athletes, coaches and fans, as well as to the Marietta community.