Street rods returning with 7,000 people, $2M expected spend

The Springfield market likely will feel a hefty economic impact when the National Street Rod Association’s Mid-America Street Rod Nationals event returns this month.

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates a $2.1 million economic impact as some 7,000 people converge on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds for the May 25-27 event, according to a news release.

CVB Public Relations Manager Susan Wade said officials are expecting the 35th annual event to generate 3,500 hotel room nights in the city.

During the event, some 2,200 pre-1989 specialty vehicles will be on display. Various other activities are planned, including a model car show, church service and a prize program through which $75,000 worth of merchandise will be awarded, according to the release.

Last year’s event at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds created an estimated $1.5 million economic impact with 3,400 hotel room nights.

Other events coming to Springfield this summer, with estimated attendees and room nights, are:
    •    June 8-10: Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, 1,500 attendees, 2,438 room nights;
    •    June 26-July 1, Premier Baseball, 2,400 attendees, 2,460 room nights;
    •    June 28-July 1: Jehovah’s Witnesses regional convention, 3,000 attendees, 1,100 room nights;
    •    July 5-8: Jehovah’s Witnesses regional convention, 3,000 attendees, 1,100 room nights; and
    •    July 23-26: Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education, 1,200 attendees, 1,411 room nights.

Information provided by the CVB indicates 32,350 people are estimated to attend events held July-August in Springfield. The CVB predicts 14,007 room nights as a result of the events.