On the Street

Missouri’s tourism industry broke records in fiscal year 2004, according to a new University of Missouri-Columbia economic impact study. Missouri hosted a record number of domestic visitors – 37.7 million, up 8.7 percent – and recorded an all-time high $13.4 billion in economic impact from travel between July 2003 and June 2004. The study cited increases in both business and leisure travel.

Inaugural honor

Stars and Steeds, a 4-H group from Willard and a nationally recognized equestrian drill team, was selected to ride in the Jan. 20 Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington D.C. The team, which performs choreographed routines to music while in costume and riding horses and carrying flags, comprises 17 students ranging in age from 11 years to 19 years. Area businesses and individuals helped contribute to the $20,000 needed to transport the kids, their horses and adult chaperones.

Bass Pro Chicago

According to published reports out of Chicago, Bass Pro Shops officials have signed on to build a second Chicago-area store in Bolingbrook, Ill. The store would anchor a 1.1 million-square-foot development, along with Marshall Field’s and Ikea, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Bass Pro’s store would measure 144,960 square feet, according to plans. Though Bass Pro hasn’t announced the second store in Chicago, where it operates one in suburban Gurnee, Ill., it has announced plans to develop a 600,000-square-foot outdoor sports center and regional distribution center in Macon, Ga. It is Bass Pro’s first regional distribution center.

Business at the ballpark

The Springfield Cardinals baseball team targets area businesses in its 2005 season schedule. Called Business Person Specials, three home games among the 98 slated for Hammons Field are meant to draw the business crowd out of the office for an afternoon of baseball. The games on May 4, May 17 and Aug. 17 begin at 12:40 p.m. “It’s a great escape during the week and a great time to enjoy baseball,” Vice President/General Manager Matt Gifford said. Individual game tickets, including two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals April 2 and 3, go on sale 9 a.m. Feb. 26 at Hammons Field box office or by calling the ticket line, (417) 863-2143. Season ticket plans also are still available.

Slice of Nice

Searching for that rare find? The Greater Springfield Garage Sale & Marketplace might have it. More than 500 sales booths are scheduled to set up shop at the 12th Greater Springfield Garage Sale & Marketplace Jan. 29 and 30 at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Additionally, a special booth will sell local and national celebrity items, with proceeds going to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The giant garage sale is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

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